System Administrator

Job Description

Job Description

About Discovery Life Sciences:

Discovery Life Sciences (Discovery) is a leading provider of highly characterized human biospecimens and cellular starting materials to advance cell and gene therapy and precision medicine programs for cancer, infectious disease, and other complex conditions. We routinely manage hundreds of studies and expertly test thousands of biospecimens simultaneously. Leading biopharma, diagnostic and academic institutions trust us to quickly deliver high-quality biospecimens and reliable, reproducible biomarker data, so they can outpace their competition and push the leading edge of innovation using our Science at your Service TM business model.

Position Summary:

Discovery is looking for a talented and passionate System Administrator to join our dynamic IT team. A Systems Administrator is responsible for providing systems administration expertise across a mixed Windows Server and Linux enterprise environment, spanning physical and virtualized infrastructure (Hyper-V), backup and disaster recovery, Active Directory / Microsoft Entra ID identity services, and AWS cloud infrastructure. This position is an integral part of a small, collaborative IT team, working closely with peers across infrastructure, development, and application support to solve system administration challenges across on-premises and cloud.

 

A Day in the Life of a System Administrator at Discovery Life Sciences:

• Maintain and optimize enterprise Windows, Linux, virtualization, and cloud infrastructure across on-premises and AWS environments.
• Manage identity services, Microsoft 365, and security configurations to ensure reliable access and compliance.
• Oversee Hyper-V virtualization and Veeam backup environments, supporting business continuity and disaster recovery.
• Automate administrative processes using Bash, Python, and Ansible to improve efficiency and system reliability.
• Provide advanced technical support, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and document infrastructure standards and procedures.

Must-Have Qualifications (Education, Skills, Experience):

• 8 + years of proven experience working as a Systems Administrator.
  • Associate degree and 6 years of professional experience required, OR bachelor's degree and 4 years of professional experience

Windows, Identity & Virtualization/Backup

• Strong hands-on experience administering Windows Server (2016–2025) in a production environment.
• Experience administering Active Directory Domain Services and Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), including domain controllers, FSMO roles, Group Policy, hybrid identity/Entra Connect sync, and conditional access.
• Proficiency with PowerShell for Windows automation and remote administration.
• Experience with Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization, including Failover Clustering, Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV), VM lifecycle management, and cluster/storage troubleshooting.
• Experience with Veeam Backup & Replication (or equivalent enterprise backup platform), including backup job design, restore operations (including granular/guest-level file restore), and disaster recovery testing.

Linux, Cloud & Automation

• Strong hands-on experience administering enterprise Linux distributions in a production environment.
• Proficiency with Bash or Python for Linux automation and scripting.
• Familiarity with AWS services, including EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, IAM, Lambda, and CloudFormation.

Infrastructure & Security

• Experience with enterprise storage technologies (block, file, object), SAN/NAS platforms, and iSCSI configuration and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of enterprise firewall/network security platforms (e.g., FortiGate), VPN configuration, and network segmentation.
• Knowledge of networking protocols and services (DNS, DHCP, SSH, FTP) and SSH implementation and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and/or Microsoft SQL Server, and web/application servers such as Apache or IIS.
• Experience with vulnerability and patch management processes across a large, heterogeneous server fleet (Windows and Linux).

Domain Expertise & Soft Skills

• Familiarity with regulated/GxP IT environments and 21 CFR Part 11 considerations is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent documentation and organizational skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Install, configure, and maintain Windows Server systems, both physical and virtual, across on-premises and AWS environments.
• Support Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID identity services, including user/group lifecycle, Group Policy, and hybrid sync health.
• Administer Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online where required, including mailbox, security, and compliance configuration
• Administer the Hyper-V virtualization cluster, including VM provisioning, cluster/storage health, checkpoint management, and capacity planning.
• Administer Veeam backup infrastructure, including monitoring job success/failure, performing restores, and supporting disaster recovery exercises.
• Install, configure, patch, and maintain enterprise Linux systems, both physical and virtual, across on-premises and AWS environments.
• Perform Bash, Python, and Ansible automation for Linux configuration management and patching.
• Design, deploy, manage, and operate scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.
• Optimize AWS resource utilization and cost management.
• Implement and control the secure flow of data to and from AWS, including cross-account data sharing where required.
• Provide 3rd level support for Windows, Linux, and AWS-related incidents.
• Liaise with vendors and other IT personnel for problem resolution.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation regarding system configurations, policies, and procedures.

Compensation and Benefits:

Discovery Life Sciences is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices, and we strive to provide employees with total compensation packages that are market competitive. Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter. The exact base pay offered for this role will depend on various factors, including the candidate's qualifications, skills, and experience. Your annual salary is only one part of your total compensation package. Other benefits include:

• Competitive salary and benefits package options, including a free dental, vision package, life insurance, and disability coverage which start on your first day of employment.
• 401(k) match program which starts on your first day of employment.
• Time away from work (Generous vacation and paid time off, paid parental leave, paid family leave, etc.).
• Professional development opportunities and reimbursement for relevant certifications and tuition.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity.
• Team-building activities and social events.
• Employee Referral Program and Colleague Recognition Program.

 

Location, work hours, and application details:

• IN OFFICE- Huntsville, AL
• Flexible work schedule, start time between 7am and 9am local time
• Applications for this position will be accepted until the role has been filled

 

We are actively seeking motivated, dedicated individuals like you to join our thriving organization. As a leader in our industry, we offer unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and success.

The Discovery Life Sciences Talent Acquisition team proudly manages and represents all Discovery recruitment activities. We respectfully request that third party staffing agencies refrain from submitting candidates or soliciting meetings to discuss recruiting services.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorships of any applicant work visas at this time.

Apply Now to join our team!
Visit dls.com/careers for more details.