Senior Virtualization/Storage Administrator

SMS is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to support enterprise backup, storage, and virtualization operations for a high-profile DoD program. This role will lead the design, implementation, and optimization of data protection solutions, including a migration from Commvault to Veeam, within a secure, large-scale environment.

As a dynamic systems integrator, SMS offers proven solutions in engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. With expertise in modernizing and optimizing legacy infrastructure and systems, ensuring operational efficiency, and designing, implementing, and managing secure environments, SMS supports business and mission goals with proficiency, quality, and integrity.

SMS has been serving the advanced information technology needs of the federal government since 1976, delivering talented teams and innovative, cost-effective solutions and services to support our customers' missions for more than 45 years. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States. For additional information on SMS, visit www.sms.com .

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Responsibilities

• Lead administration and optimization of enterprise backup and recovery solutions (Commvault transitioning to Veeam).
• Architect and implement backup, storage, and disaster recovery strategies across physical and virtual environments.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for data protection, storage management, and recovery operations.
• Administer and troubleshoot Windows Server environments, including performance tuning, patching, and system optimization.
• Manage and optimize VMware infrastructure (vSphere, Horizon, VDI) supporting enterprise workloads.
• Ensure systems meet DISA STIG and DoD security requirements, lead hardening and compliance efforts.
• Analyze system performance, identify trends, and proactively resolve complex infrastructure issues.
• Lead incident response and root cause analysis for backup, storage, and system failures.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce SOPs, architecture documentation, and operational standards.
• Collaborate with PMO, engineering, cybersecurity, and Tiered support teams to drive system improvements.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and architectures to enhance performance and resiliency.
• Mentor junior administrators and provide technical leadership across the team.

Qualifications

• The candidate must have bachelor's degree with 8-12 years of prior relevant experience or a Master's Degree with 6-10 years of prior relevant experience. Additional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of a degree.
• Candidate must, at a minimum, meet DoD 8570.11- IAT Level II certification requirements (currently Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, GSEC, or SSCP).
• Extensive experience with enterprise backup platforms (Veeam strongly preferred; Commvault experience highly desired).
• Strong expertise in Windows Server administration.
• Advanced experience with VMware technologies (vSphere, Horizon, VDI).
• Deep understanding of DISA STIGs, system hardening, and DoD security compliance frameworks.
• Proven experience designing and implementing backup, recovery, and storage solutions.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across systems, virtualization, and storage layers.
• Experience leading technical efforts and mentoring junior staff.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.
• An active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required for this position.

SMS is a dynamic systems integrator established in 1976, delivering talented teams and innovative, cost-effective solutions and services to support our customers' missions for more than 47 years. Our ability to hire and retain quality people in a rapidly evolving IT market is proven through our employee retention rate averaging over 3 years. At SMS, we place a high value on quality of service, customer satisfaction, and best-of-breed policies and practices, resulting in CMMI Level 3 certification and ISO registrations including 9001:2015, 20000-1:2018, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States.

SMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.