Senior Systems & Monitoring Administrator

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Solar Winds Monitoring Administrator to architect, deploy, and manage a secure, enterprise‑grade monitoring environment supporting classified systems.

Role: design and implement comprehensive monitoring solutions across Windows and Linux infrastructures while ensuring compliance with organizational and federal security requirements.

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of an enterprise Solar Winds monitoring platform supporting infrastructure, network, and application environments.
• Configure, optimize, and administer Solar Winds modules, including Network Performance Monitor, Server and Application Monitor, Network Configuration Manager, Virtualization Manager, and Application Performance Monitoring.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive monitoring coverage for Windows and Linux systems, applications, services, and supporting resources.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, alerts, and reports that provide actionable operational, performance, and availability insights.
• Utilize Solar Winds Query Language and the Solar Winds REST API to automate monitoring workflows, reporting, data extraction, and integrations.
• Integrate Solar Winds with external platforms such as Security Information and Event Management and IT Service Management solutions to enhance automation, incident response, and compliance visibility.
• Ensure monitoring systems comply with security hardening requirements, DISA STIGs, configuration baselines, and audit documentation standards.
• Collaborate with Infrastructure, Application, and Security teams to support system availability, performance, scalability, and compliance objectives while providing technical leadership and documentation on monitoring protocols.
• Administer and support enterprise Windows and Linux environments, including Microsoft technologies such as Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Certificate Authority services, patching, and automation.

• 7 or more years of experience in IT systems administration, with emphasis on enterprise monitoring, automation, and infrastructure operations.
• 5 or more years of hands‑on experience designing, deploying, and administering Solar Winds platforms in large or complex enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Solar Winds Query Language and the Solar Winds REST API for automation and customization.
• Experience working within regulated or security‑focused environments, including compliance with frameworks such as DISA STIGs, RMF, and NIST 800-53.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement application and infrastructure monitoring solutions from concept through operational deployment.
• Strong working knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy, and endpoint management using MECM.
• Strong expertise in Windows Server and Linux administration within enterprise environments.
• Current DoD 8140 or 8570 IAT Level II or higher certification, such as Security+ CE or CISSP.
• Hold an active Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

• Advanced scripting experience using Power Shell and or Ansible for automation and system integration.
• Experience integrating Solar Winds with platforms such as Service Now, Splunk, or ELK.
• Demonstrable ability to lead complex infrastructure or monitoring projects from inception through implementation, including planning, execution, and stakeholder communication; team leadership or mentoring experience strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with network configuration management and compliance auditing.
• Relevant professional certifications, such as Solar Winds Certified Professional or Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator.
• Hold an active Top‑Secret clearance or higher.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world‑class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your…