Junior Systems Administrator with Security Clearance

Description Saalex is seeking a Junior Systems Administrator in Ridgecrest, CA. Saalex is an Engineering and Information Technology Services company with a focus on Test Range Operations and Management, Engineering and Logistics Services, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Services and Information Technology Services.

Position Type: Part-Time Salary: $36.00-$38.00 Hourly (depending upon experience) Work Location: Full-time onsite at China Lake, CA.

About the Opportunity: Are you an experienced Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) looking for high-impact technical work paired with the flexibility of a part-time schedule? At Saalex Solutions, we support vital Department of Defense tactical training systems and test range capabilities. We are actively seeking a Senior Red Hat & Cloud Systems Administrator-while targeting a Senior, motivated Journeyman-level professionals with the right mindset, strong technical foundation, and drive to grow are strongly encouraged to apply!

In this role, you will help maintain, automate, and modernize mission-critical systems across hybrid enterprise environments-bridging on-premise high-performance Linux enclaves with AWS cloud architectures. This position offers the ideal blend of high technical autonomy, cutting-edge DevSecOps tooling, and a flexible 20-25 hour workweek.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• True Work-Life Flexibility: Guaranteed 20-25 hours per week with adaptable scheduling around core operational windows.
• Alternate Fridays Off (9/80 Schedule): Enjoy standard three-day weekends every other week.
• Modern Tooling & Autonomy: Drive technical solutions across AWS cloud infrastructure, modern CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code automation.
• Direct Mission Impact: Support real-time systems essential to naval air warfare test ranges and national defense readiness.
• Continuous Growth & Mentorship: Full sponsorship for DoD cyber credentials, technical training, and professional development units (CEUs) to help you advance your career.

Key Responsibilities: As our Linux and Cloud systems resource, you will perform hands-on administration, hardening, and automation across both classified and unclassified environments:

• Enterprise Linux Administration: Deploy, configure, and administer multi-distribution Linux environments (primarily Red Hat Enterprise Linux [RHEL], CentOS, and Ubuntu) supporting real-time servers, lab environments, and field engineering workstations.
• AWS Cloud Engineering: Support, deploy, and maintain scalable AWS infrastructure utilizing VPC, EC2, EBS, S3, IAM, CloudWatch, RDS, and EFS.
• Infrastructure as Code & Automation: Automate routine provisioning, configuration, and deployments using Ansible, Terraform, or AWS CloudFormation.
• System Hardening & Compliance: Apply DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), evaluate Nessus/ACAS scan findings, and remediate vulnerabilities in alignment with DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) controls.
• CI/CD & DevSecOps Enablement: Support and maintain continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines (GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, AWS CodePipeline) to enable reliable, secure software releases.
• Performance & Network Tuning: Proactively monitor server health, perform root-cause analysis on system alerts, and troubleshoot network routing (TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls, and load balancing).
• Identity & Access Management: Administer user accounts, role-based privileges, and group security policies in accordance with DoD and Navy cybersecurity directives.
• Agile Collaboration: Participate in Agile/Scrum sprint coordination, providing dependable infrastructure and deployment support to software developers, test engineers, and cyber leads.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements Required

• Operating System Certification: Active Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
• Cybersecurity Baseline (DoD 8140 / 8570 Compliant): Active DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE, CCNA Security, CySA+, or equivalent).
• Cloud & Automation Exposure: Practical experience with core AWS services (VPC, EC2, S3, IAM) and scripting/automation tools (Bash, Python, Ansible, or Terraform).
• Security Hardening: Familiarity with DISA STIGs, SCAP compliance tools, and vulnerability remediation.
• Less than 3 years in a technical discipline or a BA/BS
• Performs testing duties under the oversight of senior staff with a high drive to learn advanced testing methodologies, design review processes, and systems integration.

Desired

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator.
• Hands-on experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes/OpenShift).
• Prior experience supporting Navy/DoD test range facilities (NAWCWD China Lake / Point Mugu or similar SSA environments).
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence) or enterprise Git repositories.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with less than 3 years.

Security Clearance

• Must possess an active Secret clearance with the ability to gain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.