Systems Administrator

Akima Systems Engineering is seeking an experienced, autonomous Systems Administrator to execute the on-site deployment, configuration, cyber hardening, and operational validation of the U.S. Coast Guard's Command and Control (C2) and integrated navigation platform, Sea Watch v4.0.
Operating on-site aboard USCG cutters, the Systems Administrator serves as the primary software, network, and systems integration engineer on deck-plates during cutter availability periods. Working alongside on-scene installation technicians and coordinating with remote laboratory engineering teams, this role is directly responsible for energizing virtualized hypervisors, establishing Active Directory and enterprise server environments, configuring tactical network switching, integrating serial navigation and radar sensors, and validating complete system operation through sea trials.
Please note this is an "On Call" part-time traveling position.
Responsibilities
Virtualization & Server Infrastructure Management:

• Configure, operate, and maintain bare-metal hypervisor environments running VMware ESXi on enterprise server hardware (Dell PowerEdge R540/XR7620).
• Deploy, configure, snapshot, and manage multi-tier virtual appliances across both unclassified and classified server environments (Windows Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux).
• Administer local RAID configurations and virtual storage allocations.

Operating System & Domain Administration:

• Build and manage Windows Server enterprise services, including Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Group Policy Objects (GPOs), Domain Controllers (VDC), and structured network file shares.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) guest environments, administering network scripts, daemons, security firewalls, and time-synchronization services.
• Image, commission, and join tactical client workstations to the domain; manage disk imaging and system backups.

Tactical Network Engineering & Security Lockdown:

• Configure and troubleshoot tactical network switches (Cisco Catalyst 9300 series) to enforce strict physical and logical network separation between unclassified (CGOne) and classified (SIPRNET) operational domains.
• Configure VLAN trunking, access switchports, static routes, and network uplinks with shipboard backbones.
• Execute network access security controls and port lockdowns (including Dynamic ARP Inspection).

Serial Data, Navigation Sensors & Peripheral Integration:

• Program and troubleshoot serial-to-Ethernet terminal servers (Perle IOLAN SDS4) and NMEA converters (Actisense gateways) mapping RS-232/RS-422 pinouts and baud rates.
• Integrate and diagnose live serial and UDP data streams from shipboard navigation equipment, including heading gyros (MK27/MK39), GPS, Doppler speed logs, AIS, depth sounders, and weather sensors.
• Verify auxiliary video distribution equipment, matrix switches, and secure KVM extender links.

C2 Mission Applications & GCCS Support:

• Configure Integrated Communication and Tracking Framework (ICSF) components and Common Operational Picture (COP) Agile servers and clients.
• Coordinate radar processing system interfaces (PCRP, C-ARPA) and maritime charting engines (CG-ECDIS / Vega).
• Apply and verify software licensing and cryptographic/PKI certificates.

Testing, Verification & Deliverables:

• Execute and record test results across all project milestones, including Pre-Installation Test and Check-Out (PITCO), Basic Functionality and Interconnection Tests (BFIT), and System Operational Verification Tests (SOVT).
• Participate in dockside sensor tracking and daytime underway sea trials to validate real-time radar, tracking, and navigation data integrity.
• Contribute technical metrics to Daily Situation Reports (SITREPs) and compile configuration records for the formal Out-Brief package.

Qualifications

• Security Clearance: Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• Cybersecurity Compliance: Current DoD 8140.01 / 8570.01-M IAT Level II baseline certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE).
• Privileged Access: Current registration in, or immediate eligibility for, the USCG Privileged User Management Program (PUMP) with Common Access Card (CAC) credentials.
• Systems & Virtualization Experience:
  
  • Hands-on experience administering VMware ESXi hypervisors, vSwitches, datastores, and VM snapshots.
  • Strong proficiency with Microsoft Windows Server (Active Directory, Group Policy, domain promotions) and Windows client operating systems.
  • Proven experience administering Enterprise Linux distributions (Red Hat Enterprise Linux / Oracle Linux) via command line.
  • Experience with Dell enterprise server hardware (e.g., PowerEdge R-series) and hardware RAID controller configuration.
• Networking Expertise:
  
  • Solid practical knowledge of Cisco switch configuration, VLAN segmentation, 802.1Q trunking, and IP routing.
• Travel Flexibility: Ability to travel extensively (75%-95%) to shipboard installation sites for consecutive multi-week cutter availability periods and participate in daytime underway sea trials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior technical experience directly supporting U.S. Coast Guard (C5ISC, C2PL, SFLC) or U.S. Navy shipboard C4IT/C5ISR programs.
• Direct familiarity with SeaWatch, Global Command and Control System (GCCS), Vega / CG-ECDIS, or AN/SPS-78 radar interfaces.
• Working knowledge of maritime serial communications protocols (NMEA 0183/2000, RS-232, RS-422) and serial device servers (Perle IOLAN, Actisense).
• Complementary certifications such as CompTIA Linux+, CompTIA A+, or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).
• Associate or bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline (equivalent military or professional experience accepted).

Any clearance requirements for this position are established by the government contract.
Job ID
2026-26247
Work Type
Remote
Pay Range
$44.00 - $46.00 per hour
Benefits
Regular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.
Company Description
Work Where it Matters
Akima Systems Engineering (ASE), an Akima company, is not just another federal systems support contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.
At ASE, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.
For our shareholders, ASE provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.
For our government customers, ASE delivers solutions in maritime IT, systems engineering, and integration across the Department of Defense and stands ready to help improve operational performance at a reasonable and sustainable cost.
As an ASE employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.