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Job Analysis:
This System Administrator role within Leidos’ Digital Modernization Sector is fundamentally about ensuring the secure, uninterrupted operation and sustainment of the DoD’s classified mobile device capability—a mission-critical infrastructure serving defense operations. The primary focus is hands-on management of a mixed environment of Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers, along with network appliances, with a core responsibility to maintain system integrity, security, and availability. The job demands constant vigilance through monitoring, timely troubleshooting, patching, and configuration updates, which together help prevent and swiftly resolve performance degradations or service disruptions. Since this is a classified, sensitive environment supporting DoD operations, rigorous adherence to security protocols, disciplined process execution, and clear, professional communication are central. Candidates should expect challenges stemming from complex multi-technology systems, cross-functional coordination with mission partners for VPN and device connectivity issues, and the need to work effectively both independently and within a team that values standardized operating procedures. Success in this role looks like maintaining near-zero downtime, proactive identification of performance issues, and contributing to process enhancements and documentation that improve team-wide operational efficiency. The qualifications reflect the necessity of a solid technical foundation (Windows/Linux system administration, networking basics) balanced with problem-solving acumen and adaptability to evolving tools and processes in a high-security environment. The role also requires at least a DoD SECRET clearance and IAT Level 2 certification, emphasizing the high-trust nature and compliance expectations. The candidate will frequently make technical decisions on prioritizing incidents, applying patches securely, and collaborating across teams to resolve issues, often under pressure and with limited supervision. The performance expectations will naturally include uptime metrics, response times for critical incidents, and successful completion of security and maintenance updates within scheduled windows.
Company Analysis:
Leidos is a large, stable Fortune 500 company with a significant presence in national security and health technology markets, geared toward solving complex, high-stakes challenges through innovative technology solutions. Its strong positioning within regulated industries like defense implies an organizational culture that values security, compliance, and mission focus over rapid, disruptive innovation. That said, Leidos fosters an environment that encourages collaboration, professional growth, and diversity, which can empower this role’s occupant to thrive in a supportive community despite the stringent operational demands. The company’s recognition for ethical practices, diversity, and employee engagement suggests a workplace that honors integrity and inclusion, which is particularly relevant for those holding security clearances and working in disciplined program environments. Within Leidos’ organizational structure, the System Administrator is part of a network operations team embedded in the broader DoD program support ecosystem—an individual contributor role with substantial cross-team interaction and the potential for significant visibility given the criticality of the services maintained. Strategically, this role directly supports Leidos’ core mission to deliver secure, dependable capabilities for defense customers, aligning tightly with their emphasis on reliability and national security impact. As a result, this role is less about innovation in the traditional sense and more about operational excellence, resiliency, and sustained mission support, making it an ideal fit for candidates who value meaningful, stable work that has direct consequences on national security functions. Candidates prepared to succeed here are those who appreciate structured work with clear standards but also embrace continual learning and adaptability to evolving technical environments and compliance requirements.