AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Sr. IT Systems Administrator, Mission Systems Verified today

SpaceX · Vandenberg, CA · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-26
Apply at SpaceX →

Sr. IT Systems Administrator, Mission Systems

SpaceX is looking for a highly skilled and versatile Sr. IT Systems Administrator to support the networking, compute, and application support needs of our launch environment. This role is critical to enabling safe, reliable, and high-cadence launch operations across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

  • Design, deploy and augment IT infrastructure including networking, server, and desktop hardware that directly supports mission-critical networks across the country.
  • Provide direct IT support during launch and test campaigns.
  • Perform periodic systems upgrades and maintenance in between critical operations, sometimes on weekends and evenings.
  • Proactively monitor IT services and respond rapidly to incidents to ensure high availability and optimal systems performance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to proactively identify and resolve potential technical issues with systems deployments.
  • Author and maintain documentation for IT systems, including systems overview, design drawings and operational procedures.
  • Leverage automation tools and contribute to broader IT systems engineering and infrastructure-as-code initiatives.
  • Ensure that systems are configured and maintained in compliance with industry and cybersecurity standards (e.g. ITAR, ISO, NIST).

Basic Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
  • 5+ years of experience in IT systems administration.
  • Experience with both Linux and Windows server administration.
  • Experience designing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting enterprise networks.

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Working knowledge of network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, NTP, PTP etc.), firewall administration and cybersecurity technologies.
  • Proficiency in scripting (Bash/Powershell/Python) and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, Puppet).
  • Familiarity with Active Directory and multi-platform authentication/identity environments.
  • Experience with virtualization platforms and tools.
  • Understanding of Layer 1 configuration best practices and multiplexing technologies.
  • Working knowledge of Windows-based systems and services, including the ability to set up, configure, upgrade, manage, and troubleshoot said infrastructure.
  • Ability to administer and troubleshoot Linux-based systems and services through command line.
  • Experience supporting real-time systems, industrial control networks, or operational technology (OT) environments in aerospace, defense, energy, or similar high-reliability industries.
  • Experience with configuration management, provisioning, infrastructure as code, CI/CD pipelines and other DevOps concepts/tools.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with internal/external customers, vendors, management etc. in both formal and informal situations.

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to pass DoD background check for launch site access.
  • Willingness to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation and work extended hours or weekends as necessary.
  • Willingness to travel (up to 20%, including flying to other sites worldwide) and potential time at sea supporting marine systems.
  • Ability to lift 30 lbs.
  • Ability to work at heights.
  • Ability to drive (active valid driver's license).

Compensation

Pay Range:
Level 1: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $150,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is one part of your total rewards package. You may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of paid vacation, and 10 or more paid holidays per year.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.