System Administrator
Arcfield
Washington, DC · Posted September 23, 2026
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Where Washington, DC ranks
Where Washington, DC placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Cities hosting the most business conferences in the Mid-Atlantic104 conferences · of 12
- #1Cities hosting the most government & public sector conferences18 conferences · of 29
- #1Cities hosting the most accounting & audit conferences8 conferences · of 14
- #1Cities hosting the most finance conferences9 conferences · of 24
- #1Cities hosting the most legal conferences10 conferences · of 10
- #2Best cities for sales pay after cost of living$169k · of 45
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 29 open system administrator listings that state pay, the middle half runs $90,500 to $127,500 and the median is $115,000.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among database administrators, AI is already used for a large share of the tasks. Measured exposure for database administrators: 33% (high).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Responsibilities
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mid-Level Linux-Focused System Administrator to join our dynamic team at the Navel Research Lab (NRL) supporting mission-critical systems and lab infrastructures. This role demands a seasoned professional with deep technical expertise, a proactive mindset to oversee suites of hardware and software infrastructure components within high performance lab environments in addition to supporting the development and implementation of customer driven requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Manage and maintain lab environments to ensure optimal performance, availability, and scalability.
Design, configure, and maintain Linux operating systems
Manage LAN/WAN system requirements.
Implement and maintain cybersecurity protocols to safeguard software, operating systems, and networks.
Apply encryption standards and protocols to secure sensitive data and communications.
Develop and maintain scripts using Bash, PowerShell, Ansible, or Python to automate system tasks and deployments.
Support and oversee software builds and version control using Git, ensuring alignment with evolving government and end-user requirements.
Translate complex technical requirements into clear, actionable plans and communicate effectively across teams.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments to deliver reliable and secure system solutions.
Systems Administrator III, I08, ITSAEI08
Qualifications
Requirements & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Engineering or related technical field.
5-7 years of hands-on experience in Linux system administration - BS 5-7 Years, MS 3-5, PhD 0-2
Extensive experience with hardware and software infrastructure components.
In-depth knowledge of security practices and protocols, including firewalls, encryption, and access controls.
Working knowledge of implementing DOD security standards (e.g. STIGs)
Familiarity with scripting and automation tools.
Demonstrated success managing technical delivery in government or defense-related projects.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Must have a US SECRET DOD security clearance with the ability to obtain a TS.
Preferred Qualifications
Proficiency with hypervisors (VMWare, Proxmox) and container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python or Bash for automation.
Prior experience with DOD contracting and familiarity with Naval Research Lab (NRL) environments.
Equal Pay Act
This is the projected compensation range for this position. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location (For Remote Opportunities), education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories. In addition, Arcfield invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Arcfield ’s benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.
Min: $84,975.05 Max: $147,755.13 EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and federal government contractor. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment as protected by law.
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mid-Level Linux-Focused System Administrator to join our dynamic team at the Navel Research Lab (NRL) supporting mission-critical systems and lab infrastructures. This role demands a seasoned professional with deep technical expertise, a proactive mindset to oversee suites of hardware and software infrastructure components within high performance lab environments in addition to supporting the development and implementation of customer driven requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Manage and maintain lab environments to ensure optimal performance, availability, and scalability.
Design, configure, and maintain Linux operating systems
Manage LAN/WAN system requirements.
Implement and maintain cybersecurity protocols to safeguard software, operating systems, and networks.
Apply encryption standards and protocols to secure sensitive data and communications.
Develop and maintain scripts using Bash, PowerShell, Ansible, or Python to automate system tasks and deployments.
Support and oversee software builds and version control using Git, ensuring alignment with evolving government and end-user requirements.
Translate complex technical requirements into clear, actionable plans and communicate effectively across teams.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments to deliver reliable and secure system solutions.
Systems Administrator III, I08, ITSAEI08
Requirements & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Engineering or related technical field.
5-7 years of hands-on experience in Linux system administration - BS 5-7 Years, MS 3-5, PhD 0-2
Extensive experience with hardware and software infrastructure components.
In-depth knowledge of security practices and protocols, including firewalls, encryption, and access controls.
Working knowledge of implementing DOD security standards (e.g. STIGs)
Familiarity with scripting and automation tools.
Demonstrated success managing technical delivery in government or defense-related projects.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Must have a US SECRET DOD security clearance with the ability to obtain a TS.
Preferred Qualifications
Proficiency with hypervisors (VMWare, Proxmox) and container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python or Bash for automation.
Prior experience with DOD contracting and familiarity with Naval Research Lab (NRL) environments.