Systems Administrator - Host-Based Systems / DoD (Focused)

Bowler Pons is seeking a Systems Administrator to provide host-based systems administration and engineering support for a DoD customer's mission-critical IT infrastructure. The successful candidate will bring hands-on expertise administering, securing, and modernizing Windows Server environments, Active Directory, and virtualization platforms within a DoD enterprise setting, along with a proven track record of planning and executing upgrades, migrations, and system modernization efforts with minimal disruption to operations. This person is a proactive, detail-oriented troubleshooter who can isolate and resolve complex issues across operating systems, infrastructure, and networking, communicates clearly with both technical teams and government stakeholders, and holds an active DoD security clearance along with a current IAT Level II certification.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide host-based systems administration and engineering support for a DoD customer responsible for secure, reliable, and uninterrupted operation of mission-critical IT infrastructure.
• Administer, maintain, secure, and troubleshoot Windows servers, physical hosts, virtual machines, workstations, laptops, and other endpoint systems across multiple networks, sites, and operational environments.
• Manage Microsoft server infrastructure across multiple solution areas, including Windows Server, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, virtualization, file/print services, and enterprise management platforms.
• Perform host-based security configuration, system hardening, STIG implementation, patch management, vulnerability remediation, and security compliance activities in accordance with DoD security requirements.
• Conduct operating system upgrades, migrations, and technology refreshes while maintaining system availability and minimizing operational impact.
• Administer Active Directory domains, organizational units, Group Policy, user/computer accounts, permissions, member servers, and associated infrastructure services.
• Install, configure, administer, and troubleshoot VMware and/or Hyper-V virtual environments, including virtual machines and physical host infrastructure.
• Utilize PowerShell, command-line utilities, GUI-based management tools, and automated processes to diagnose and remediate hardware, software, operating system, configuration, and performance issues.
• Monitor system health, capacity, availability, and security posture; identify potential issues and implement corrective actions before they affect mission operations.
• Troubleshoot complex issues involving Windows operating systems, applications, hardware, Active Directory, networking, virtualization, and systems infrastructure.
• Support enterprise patch management and configuration management, ensuring systems remain current with approved security updates and configuration baselines.
• Support disaster recovery, Continuity of Operations (COOP), backup, restoration, and system recovery planning and execution.
• Support the integration and migration of new technologies into existing enterprise environments, including system transitions, domain migrations, infrastructure upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
• Assist with network-related administration, including DNS, DHCP, IP addressing, domain services, and connectivity troubleshooting.
• Perform basic to intermediate network administration and troubleshooting in Cisco-based enterprise environments, including switches, routers, VLANs, IP addressing, routing, and network connectivity.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues between Windows servers, Active Directory, virtual infrastructure, endpoints, and Cisco network devices using tools such as PowerShell, ping, tracert/traceroute, nslookup, ipconfig, and Cisco IOS diagnostic commands.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, system configurations, procedures, and operational records in accordance with DoD and customer requirements.
• Perform planning and analysis for infrastructure projects, including requirements definition, hardware/software selection, implementation planning, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Participate in technical reviews and provide status, risk, and technical recommendations to government customers, project teams, and site leadership.
• Participate in special projects, system deployments, upgrades, maintenance activities, and day-to-day operations as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Systems Administration, or a related technical field, with 4–8 years of relevant systems administration or systems engineering experience. Additional relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
• 4+ years of experience administering, maintaining, troubleshooting, and securing Microsoft Windows Server environments, including Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, and 2019, with knowledge of current Microsoft technologies.
• Experience planning and executing Windows Server upgrades, migrations, and system modernization efforts, including assessment, testing, implementation, troubleshooting, and post-migration support.
• Experience planning, implementing, operating, and managing Microsoft server infrastructure within a DoD enterprise environment, including host-based systems supporting multiple networks, sites, and mission requirements.
• Strong understanding of host-based systems administration and security, including operating system configuration, system hardening, vulnerability remediation, patch management, account management, logging, monitoring, and configuration management.
• Experience with Microsoft Active Directory, including user and computer accounts, organizational units, Group Policy, authentication, domain services, permissions, and domain administration.
• Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware and/or Microsoft Hyper-V, including virtual machine deployment, administration, troubleshooting, and host management.
• Experience using PowerShell and command-line utilities to automate, troubleshoot, configure, and remediate Windows systems.
• Active DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II certification, such as CompTIA Security+ CE or higher.
• Active DoD security clearance required.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to isolate and resolve complex operating system, hardware, software, networking, and infrastructure issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical personnel, government customers, and leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification (AZ-800/AZ-801) or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• Knowledge or experience with SCCM/MECM, DNS, DHCP, SMTP, and printer management within an enterprise Windows environment.
• Knowledge or experience with Cisco routers and switches, VLANs, TCP/IP, subnetting, and network troubleshooting.
• Experience performing Windows patching, STIG implementation, security hardening, vulnerability remediation, and system upgrades within classified or security-sensitive environments.

Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and company holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-paid training and certification support
• Performance Bonus/Profit Sharing
• Travel reimbursement and per diem

About Bowler Pons: Bowler Pons Solutions Consultants, LLC is a fast-growing Minority-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned 8(a)-certified Small Business based in Annapolis, MD. As a solutions provider, we deliver cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support for our client's toughest challenges in the fields of physical and cyber security, IT and network administration, and systems engineering. Find out more at .