Senior Systems Administrator

Syms Strategic Group (SSG) is seeking a talented Senior Systems Administrator
Location: Remote
Department: Veterans Affairs (VA)
Type: Full Time
Min. Experience: Experienced
Security Clearance Level: Public Trust (MBI) 
Salary Range: $85,389 - $116,975
If you have previously applied to Syms Strategic Group (SSG), there is no need to reapply. Applications are still under review.

Military Veterans are highly encouraged to apply!
 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform high-level, day-to-day operational maintenance, support, and upgrades for complex operating systems and server hardware
• Develop solutions to routine technical problems of limited scope
• Follow standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained
• Coordinate, direct, and perform complex software installations and upgrades to operating systems and layered software packages
• Schedule installations and upgrades and maintain them in accordance with established Information Technology (IT) procedures
• Continually monitor and tune multiple systems to achieve optimum performance levels
• Ensure data/media recoverability by developing and implementing a schedule of system backups and database archive operations
• Plan and implement the modernization of servers
• Develop, implement, and promote standard operating procedures (SOPs) and schedules
• Conduct hardware and software audits of workstations and servers to ensure compliance with established standards, policies, and configuration guidelines
• Develop and implement new standards, policies, and procedures
• Work closely with Network and System Analysts to help determine and develop the systems that will be implemented

 Required Skills and Experience

• A proven track record of managing and maintaining complex Amazon Web Services (AWS) environments
• Hands-on experience with both Windows and Linux/Unix operating systems
• Experience with large-scale, high-availability, and scalable cloud architecture
• Strong proficiency in core AWS services such as Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), Simple Storage Service (S3), Relational Database Service (RDS), Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Lambda, Identity and Access Management (IAM), CloudFormation, CloudWatch, and Route 53
• Experience with AWS security practices and services including AWS IAM, AWS Shield, and AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF)
• Experience designing, deploying, and managing scalable and secure AWS cloud infrastructure
• Proficiency in setting up and managing AWS networking components like VPCs, subnets, security groups, and Network Access Control Lists (NACLs)
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, PowerShell, or NodeJS for automation
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools like AWS CloudFormation, Terraform, or AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK)
• Experience with AWS monitoring or logging tools such as CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and AWS Config
• Experience in performance optimization and troubleshooting AWS resources
• An ability to troubleshoot and optimize AWS instances and services for performance
• A strong understanding of AWS security best practices and compliance frameworks (e.g., Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2))
• Experience implementing encryption, key management, and data protection mechanisms within AWS
• Experience with AWS database services such as Amazon RDS, DynamoDB, Aurora, and Redshift
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices (e.g., AWS CodePipeline, AWS CodeBuild, and AWS CodePipeline)
• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Elastic Container Service (ECS), and Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot complex cloud-related issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Skilled in prioritizing tasks, managing time effectively, and meeting deadlines
• Strong attention to detail to ensure system stability, security, and data integrity
• Capability to mentor and provide technical guidance to junior administrators and IT staff
• An ability to lead technical projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• A willingness to be on-call for emergency support and maintenance when required
• Strong documentation skills for creating and maintaining system configurations, processes, and procedures
• An ability to manage and contribute to multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and quality results
• A commitment to staying current with emerging AWS technologies and industry trends

Professional CertificationsNone required, but the following certifications are preferred:

1. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect
3. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
4. Edifecs certification

Years of Professional Experience8+ years of professional experience
8+ years of experience in system administration, with a focus on cloud infrastructureDesired experienceDeep hands-on EDIFECS experience in Electronic Data Interchange X.12 (EDI) Transactions Standards involving key X12 workflows involving the following transactions:

• X.12 medical claims (837, 834, 835, 277, etc)
• 270/271 and 278 transactions
• 999 transactions

Knowledge of HIPAA compliance requirements in cloud data architecture
Experience with healthcare payer/PBM systems, clearinghouses, or pharmacy operations
Experience with EdifecsFormal EducationBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Systems Engineering, or a related fieldCitizenship RequirementU.S. Citizenship required for this specific opportunitySecurity Clearance RequirementsMust possess or qualify for a Public Trust (MBI)CRITICAL NOTES:

1. SSG will not make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Your answers to the mandatory screening questions must be supported by the information on your resume.  Applications with inconsistencies will not be considered.
2. Recruiters or Third parties will not be considered.
3. This is a 100% U.S. based remote position.  However, candidates from CA, CO, IL, MN, NJ, NY, OR, or WA will not be considered.
4. This is a W-2 position
5. All interviews will be conducted on Microsoft Teams with your camera on; there will be no exceptions
6. As part of our screening process, you will be requested to provide a link to your LinkedIn profile

U.S Citizenship is required for this specific opportunity. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and be able to obtain a government-granted security clearance. Individuals may also be subject to a background investigation including, but not limited to criminal history, employment and education verification, drug testing, and creditworthiness.

Syms Strategic Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or genetic information.