Senior System Architect at Skyward IT Solutions in Rockville, MD

We are Skyward.
That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a desire to serve others. We are diverse and unified; creative and collaborative; a collection of complementary, not competing talents. And though on the surface we remain relaxed, beneath, a torrent of energy links us to our civic tech mission.
We stand by our values, and we won't compromise on any of them.
Integrity: We're conscientious, intentional, and empathetic. Our words and actions align. That's our character. Please don't ask us to play another part, we're poor actors. Compassionate: If we may borrow a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." Because our team is thoughtful and supportive, caring deeply for each other, our clients, and our work, this comes naturally. Inquisitive: We remain students by failing openly and turning lessons into solutions.Unconventional: For us, life isn't what happens outside of work. Work happens inside of life and our culture erases the line often dividing the two. Authentic: Made possible only because we embody the values listed above. We're relaxed and fun yet intensely curious and driven. Team members are placed with thought, care, and precision to ensure that Trust, Truth, and Transparency continue to represent our brand.
Because of that, we continue Onward, Upward, and Skyward.
We need a Sr. System Architect.Do you love to diagram complex architectures? Or maybe you're someone who loves managing software development practices in a collaborative and agile fashion. Or perhaps you're dying to use your leadership, problem-solving, and organization skills in a creative and inspiring way. Sound like you? Then you need to apply.
Come join us if you're motivated to learn from others, to learn from mistakes, to be part of a future-looking and growth-oriented team.
Let's go Skyward together.

What you'll do:

Be part of a team supporting the Small Business Administration (SBA) in their quest to automate all the things and deploy applications to the cloud.
Set the direction for enterprise initiatives related to systems infrastructure.
Monitor and maintain system and server configurations including firewalls, load balancers, SAN and WAN optimizer.
Perform system capacity analysis and planning.
Develop and document systems administration standard operating procedures.
Help define and maintain baseline system security according to organizational policies.
Supervise and manage the daily activities of configuration and operation of systems which may be Windows, RHEL or cloud based.
Manage system and server resources including performance, capacity, availability, serviceability, and recoverability.
Monitor and manage systems that operate through VMware products and services to include vSphere and vCenter. This includes installing and maintaining virtual servers, troubleshooting technical problems, and developing and maintaining backup procedures.
Perform repairs on faulty system and server hardware.
Troubleshoot hardware/software interface and interoperability problems.
Optimize system operation and resource utilization.
Troubleshoot issues and outages.
Use stakeholder feedback to inform necessary improvements and adjustments to technology.

What we'd like you to have:

A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field.
12 years of experience as a systems architect/systems analyst.
Detailed understanding of system security practices.
Proficiency managing systems built on Linux operating systems to include backups, file restores, disaster recovery, new builds, automation, user account management, application installation, system security, and storage management.
Experience supporting Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments.
Experience with Windows Sever Administration, Active Directory, and Group Policy.
Installing and managing servers through VMware products and services to include vSphere and vCenter.
Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, PowerShell, etc.
Experience with automation tools, IaC, Ansible, Terraform.
Experience with databases, networks (LAN, WAN) and patch management.
Experience building and maintain virtual and physical server farms.
Experience with the ITIL Framework and ITSM tool sets.
Proven ability to drive transformational change.
Exceptional analytical skills paired with the ability to translate insights into actionable strategic recommendations.
Excellent communication skills, with a knack for presenting complex data concepts in an understandable manner.
A keen understanding of industry trends, challenges, and the evolving data landscape.
Resourcefulness and problem-solving aptitude.

What would blow us away:

You have all the certifications. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+, Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator (RHCSA), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) Certification
You have previous infrastructure/system administration experience with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. At Skyward, we're focused on hiring individuals with the right skills and passion to grow, not just checking off every box.

And now the important part. What we offer you:

Medical, dental, vision insurance (fully paid for employees)
15 days of paid leave
7 days of sick leave
2 days bereavement leave
11 paid Federal holidays
Up to 40 hours for jury duty
401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)
Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave
Company provided laptop
$5,000 per year for professional development
$600 per year for technical supplies and equipment
$2,000 referral bonus
Life and disability insurance
HSA and FSA
Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits
Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can't be exciting!

We know great work deserves great pay. That's why we ensure our compensation is not only competitive but also fair and transparent, as required by Maryland law. Expect a salary that matches your skills, experience, location, and the value you bring to the table -because you're worth it! At Skyward, we believe diverse teams are the key to innovation and success. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs. Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance due to the nature of our work as a government contractor. Offers of employment with Skyward are contingent upon acceptable results of a background investigation.