📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Systems Administrator 3 - COBRA
Company: HII's Mission Technologies division
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Job Type: On-site, Full-time
Category: IT & Networking, Systems Administration
Date Posted: 2025-08-01
Experience Level: Mid-level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Maintain and enhance IT systems and network infrastructure for the Collaborative Operations for Battlespace Resilient Architecture (COBRA) initiative.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align network strategies with business goals and ensure high availability, security, and optimal performance.
Troubleshoot complex network issues and support maintenance of Government-provided technical publications and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on maintaining and securing critical IT systems and network infrastructure for a multi-agency contracting approach, requiring strong technical skills and a commitment to national security.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

IT Systems Maintenance: Maintain operational integrity of IT systems, automate work orders, and ensure assistance call logging capabilities.
Network Infrastructure Management: Design, implement, manage, and maintain the organization's network infrastructure, ensuring high availability, security, and optimal performance.
Configuration Management: Develop, execute, and track configurations for GFP and GFI, apply software patches/updates, maintain TDPs for GFP, and support draft reviews of maintenance manuals.
Troubleshooting and Project Leadership: Troubleshoot complex network issues, lead IT projects, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align network strategies with business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical background in network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting, as well as excellent communication and project leadership skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field)

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in systems administration, network infrastructure, or a related field

Required Skills:

Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
Effective oral and written communication abilities
Experience with network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting
Knowledge of Government-provided technical publications and data management

Preferred Skills:

Experience working in defense or intelligence environments
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Relevant certifications (e.g., Security+, PMP)

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with relevant certifications, experience in defense or intelligence environments, and excellent communication skills will be highly competitive for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Specific examples of network infrastructure management, configuration management, and troubleshooting projects
Documentation of problem-solving approaches, project leadership, and collaboration with cross-functional teams
Evidence of experience with Government-provided technical publications and data management

Technical Documentation:

Detailed documentation of network infrastructure designs, configurations, and maintenance procedures
Examples of project plans, risk assessments, and lessons learned from previous IT projects
Evidence of experience with configuration management systems and software patching/updating processes

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should highlight their experience with network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting, as well as their ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage complex IT projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $87,990 - $125,700 per year (based on the provided range and regional market standards for mid-level systems administrators in the Washington, DC area)

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off
Opportunities for professional development, training, and career advancement within HII's Mission Technologies division

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of occasional overtime or on-call duties to support maintenance windows and project deadlines

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration, including the candidate's education, training, work experience, and key skills.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense and intelligence, focusing on rapidly acquiring and fielding critical and emerging technologies for national security and warfighter capabilities

Company Size: Large (over 7,000 professionals worldwide)

Founded: 1991 (as Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.)

Team Structure:

Warfare Systems (WS) business group, comprising cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems
Collaborative Operations for Battlespace Resilient Architecture (COBRA) initiative, focusing on integrated communications, networking, and Systems-of-Systems (SoS) technologies

Development Methodology:

Agile and iterative development processes, with a focus on rapid acquisition and fielding of critical and emerging technologies
Cross-functional collaboration between teams, including systems engineering, cybersecurity, operational integration, and data analytics

Company Website: HII's Mission Technologies division

📝 Enhancement Note: HII's Mission Technologies division works closely with the DoD and defense innovation ecosystem to rapidly acquire and field critical and emerging technologies, particularly integrated communications, networking, and Systems-of-Systems (SoS) technologies. This role requires a strong commitment to national security and a willingness to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Systems Administrator 3 - COBRA role is a mid-level position within the IT & Networking category, focusing on maintaining and enhancing IT systems and network infrastructure for the COBRA initiative. This role offers opportunities for career growth and technical specialization within HII's Mission Technologies division.

Reporting Structure:

Reports directly to the IT & Networking team lead or manager within the COBRA initiative
Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, cybersecurity, operational integration, and data analytics

Technical Impact:

Directly responsible for maintaining the operational integrity of IT systems and network infrastructure, ensuring high availability, security, and optimal performance
Contributes to the overall success of the COBRA initiative by supporting multi-domain battlespace integration and resilient command and control

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas of IT & Networking, such as cybersecurity, data analytics, or systems engineering
Team Leadership: Demonstrate strong project leadership and collaboration skills to take on team lead or management roles within the IT & Networking category
Architecture Decisions: Gain experience in architecture and design decisions to advance to senior-level or principal-level roles within HII's Mission Technologies division

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and technical specialization within HII's Mission Technologies division. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate strong technical skills, excellent communication, and a commitment to national security.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and cross-functional teamwork within the COBRA initiative

Office Location(s): Washington, DC, with the possibility of occasional travel (0-10%)

Workspace Context:

Collaborative workspace with access to multiple monitors, testing devices, and development tools
Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with systems engineering, cybersecurity, operational integration, and data analytics teams
A dynamic and fast-paced work environment focused on rapidly acquiring and fielding critical and emerging technologies

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours, and the possibility of occasional overtime or on-call duties to support maintenance windows and project deadlines

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong commitment to national security and a willingness to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate excellent communication skills and a ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone or Video Screen: A brief conversation to assess communication skills, technical proficiency, and cultural fit (15-30 minutes)
Technical Assessment: A hands-on assessment of network infrastructure management, configuration management, and troubleshooting skills (60-90 minutes)
Behavioral and Situational Questions: An in-depth discussion of problem-solving approaches, project leadership, and collaboration with cross-functional teams (60-90 minutes)
Final Review: A review of the candidate's qualifications, references, and background check (if applicable) (30-60 minutes)

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight specific examples of network infrastructure management, configuration management, and troubleshooting projects
Demonstrate experience with Government-provided technical publications and data management
Showcase strong problem-solving approaches, project leadership, and collaboration with cross-functional teams

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on network infrastructure management, configuration management, and troubleshooting skills
Familiarize yourself with Government-provided technical publications and data management processes
Prepare for behavioral and situational questions that assess problem-solving approaches, project leadership, and collaboration with cross-functional teams

ATS Keywords: (Comprehensive list of web development and server administration-relevant keywords for resume optimization, organized by category)

Network Infrastructure: Network management, network security, network design, network troubleshooting, network optimization, network performance
Configuration Management: Configuration management systems, software patching, software updating, technical documentation, maintenance manuals
Problem-Solving: Troubleshooting, root cause analysis, incident response, issue resolution, problem-solving approaches
Project Leadership: Project management, project planning, project execution, project risk assessment, project communication
Collaboration: Cross-functional teamwork, stakeholder communication, team leadership, team management, project collaboration
Defense & Intelligence: Defense environments, intelligence environments, national security, multi-domain battlespace integration, resilient command and control

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should tailor their resumes and interview preparation strategies to highlight their relevant experience with network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting, as well as their ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage complex IT projects.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure Technologies:

Cisco networking equipment (routers, switches, firewalls)
Microsoft networking tools (Active Directory, Group Policy, DHCP)
Network monitoring and management tools (SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix)

Configuration Management Tools:

Git version control system
Ansible automation and configuration management platform
Puppet or Chef configuration management tools
Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD pipelines

Troubleshooting Tools:

Wireshark network protocol analyzer
Microsoft Network Monitor (NetMon)
SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer
Cisco Packet Tracer or other network simulation tools

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should have experience with network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting tools, as well as a strong understanding of network protocols, network design, and network security principles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

IT & Networking Values:

Expertise: Demonstrate a deep understanding of network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting principles
Collaboration: Work effectively with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, cybersecurity, operational integration, and data analytics
Adaptability: Embrace a dynamic and fast-paced work environment focused on rapidly acquiring and fielding critical and emerging technologies
Continuous Learning: Stay up-to-date with the latest network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting best practices

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with systems engineering, cybersecurity, operational integration, and data analytics teams to align network strategies with business goals
Code Review Culture: Participate in code reviews and knowledge-sharing sessions to ensure high-quality network infrastructure designs and configurations
Peer Programming: Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot complex network issues and share best practices

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate strong technical skills, excellent communication, and a willingness to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment. A commitment to national security and a focus on rapidly acquiring and fielding critical and emerging technologies are essential for success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Network Infrastructure Complexity: Design, implement, manage, and maintain complex network infrastructure for the COBRA initiative, ensuring high availability, security, and optimal performance
Configuration Management Scale: Develop, execute, and track configurations for GFP and GFI at scale, applying software patches/updates in accordance with the Government-defined baseline
Troubleshooting Complexity: Troubleshoot complex network issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align network strategies with business goals
Government Furnished Publications: Maintain the operational integrity of IT systems and ensure its capability to log assistance calls and automate work orders with reference numbers for Government-provided technical publications and data

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Develop expertise in specific areas of IT & Networking, such as cybersecurity, data analytics, or systems engineering
Conference Attendance: Attend industry conferences and events to stay up-to-date with the latest network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting best practices
Certification Programs: Pursue relevant certifications, such as Security+, PMP, or other industry-recognized credentials, to enhance your technical skillset and career prospects
Mentorship and Leadership Development: Seek mentorship opportunities and leadership development programs to advance your career within HII's Mission Technologies division

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by this role, demonstrating a strong commitment to national security and a willingness to learn and grow in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Network Infrastructure Design: Describe your approach to designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining complex network infrastructure for the COBRA initiative
Configuration Management Processes: Explain your experience with developing, executing, and tracking configurations for GFP and GFI, applying software patches/updates, and maintaining TDPs for GFP
Troubleshooting Methodologies: Discuss your problem-solving approaches, root cause analysis techniques, and incident response strategies for complex network issues

Company & Culture Questions:

Defense & Intelligence Experience: Describe your experience working in defense or intelligence environments and your understanding of national security principles
Collaboration & Communication: Explain your approach to working with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, cybersecurity, operational integration, and data analytics, and your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders
Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Discuss your ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment focused on rapidly acquiring and fielding critical and emerging technologies, and your commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest best practices

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Network Infrastructure Projects: Highlight specific examples of network infrastructure management, configuration management, and troubleshooting projects, demonstrating your expertise and problem-solving approaches
Government Furnished Publications: Showcase your experience with Government-provided technical publications and data management, and your ability to maintain the operational integrity of IT systems and ensure assistance call logging capabilities
Collaboration & Leadership: Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, cybersecurity, operational integration, and data analytics, and your commitment to aligning network strategies with business goals

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate strong technical skills, excellent communication, and a willingness to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment. A commitment to national security and a focus on rapidly acquiring and fielding critical and emerging technologies are essential for success in this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Systems Administrator 3 - COBRA position:

Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience with network infrastructure, configuration management, and troubleshooting, as well as your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage complex IT projects.
Prepare for Phone or Video Screen: Brush up on your communication skills, technical proficiency, and cultural fit for the COBRA initiative.
Practice Technical Assessment: Familiarize yourself with network infrastructure management, configuration management, and troubleshooting skills, and prepare for a hands-on assessment.
Research the Company: Learn about HII's Mission Technologies division, the COBRA initiative, and the defense and intelligence environments in which the company operates.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Systems Administrator 3 - COBRA