Job Description & Details
This is a hands-on Cybersecurity Administrator role based out of Lanham, MD, requiring an active Top-Secret clearance and a solid background in keeping enterprise systems patched, backed up, and secure. If you enjoy owning the operational health of cyber platforms and automating tedious processes rather than just chasing alerts, this position offers a stable environment within a CMMI Level 3 federal contractor.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Your day-to-day will revolve around maintaining operating systems and specialized software platforms that power critical cyber operations. You'll spend a good chunk of time handling platform and software patching, establishing operational standards that align with strict government cyber policies, and monitoring system resources to ensure maximum uptime. When things break or slow down, you'll be the go-to troubleshooter handling outages, designing and executing backup/recovery protocols, and scripting automations to streamline deployments and monitoring.
The Core Tech Stack
To succeed here, you need a robust foundation in traditional system administration coupled with a strong cybersecurity mindset. The absolute must-haves include extensive experience with OS patching, backup and recovery operations, and process automation (using scripting languages like Python, Bash, or PowerShell). Because you'll be interfacing directly with federal cybersecurity frameworks, a deep comprehension of security hardening guidelines and compliance standards is non-negotiable.
Interview Expectations
Expect the hiring team to test your operational resilience with real-world scenarios, likely asking you to walk through how you would handle a sudden zero-day patch rollout on a cluster of mission-critical servers without dropping availability. The interviewer isn't just looking for a technically correct answer; they want to see your risk-assessment methodology and how methodically you approach troubleshooting complex outages under pressure. They will also drill down into your past experience with automated backup verification and data recovery.
Application Advice
Make sure your resume clearly highlights your hands-on experience with system patching, disaster recovery planning, and automation scripts, as these keywords are critical for passing the initial ATS screening. Since this role requires 7 years of relevant experience and an active Top-Secret clearance, make certain your clearance status and exact start/end dates are prominently displayed right at the top of your resume.