Senior System Administrator I

📋 Job Overview

Based onsite at Rocket Lab's Chantilly, VA Facility, the System Administrator will support and manage critical, classified IT infrastructure within a secure environment. This role involves deploying and maintaining essential computer systems while ensuring full compliance with strict security requirements. You’ll be working closely with security personnel and engineering teams. The position is vital to sustaining the high-stakes infrastructure behind launch systems, spacecraft development, and national security programs, requiring strong attention to detail, a sense of urgency, and a commitment to operational excellence.

🏢 About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

🎯 The Role

The System Administrator will support and manage critical, classified IT infrastructure within a secure environment. This role involves deploying and maintaining essential computer systems while ensuring full compliance with strict security requirements. You’ll be working closely with security personnel and engineering teams.

✅ Key Responsibilities

• Deploy and administer classified IT infrastructure, to include endpoints, servers, and network devices
• Monitor systems, respond to incidents, and proactively optimize performance and security posture
• Implement and maintain hardened system configurations using STIGs and NIST 800-53 controls
• Collaborate with ISSO/ISSM/ISSE and engineering teams to architect secure solutions and gather system requirements
• Develop and maintain documentation of asset management, procedures, system architecture, and incident response

📌 Required Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with a current Tier 5 investigation (formerly SSBI) and must maintain an active Top Secret/SCI clearance with polygraph, as required by program sponsor(s)
• 5+ years of experience & a Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of work experience (9+ years of total work experience).
• Must possess DoD 8140 Intermediate or Advanced certification (e.g. Security+, Cloud+, CISSP, CISM, CEH, or equivalent)
• Strong working knowledge of security frameworks: NIST 800-53, STIGs.
• Hands-on experience with: Windows Server, Linux (Ubuntu/RHEL), VMware vSphere, Docker, FortiGate/FortiOS, Cisco IOS, ACAS, Splunk, Trellix
• Willingness to travel up to 20% (occasional overnight), work extended hours and weekends as mission requires

⭐ Desirable Experience

• Experience with NIST RMF, ISO 27001 Security frameworks.
• Master's degree in IT, Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field
• Specialist/advanced certifications in area of expertise (e.g., RHCSA, CCNP, GCIH, CISSP etc.)
• Experience with scripting/automation tools including PowerShell, Bash, Python, and Ansible
• Experience as an ISSO, ISSE, or ISSM
• Strong understanding of networking protocols including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLAN (802.1Q), and routing protocols (BGP, OSPF)

🎁 Benefits

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia’s pay transparency requirements. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

🛂 Visa & Eligibility

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.