The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
<ul>
<li>CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.</li>
<li>CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.</li>
<li>If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.</li>
</ul>
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in Warminster, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
We are searching for a highly motivated and self-driven IT Platform Administrator for our highly secured environments to join our Information Technology Services Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. This role will provide systems administration, computing support, and specialized support services for the enablement of key research and administrative functions by ensuring the security, compliance, functionality, and reliability of research and administrative systems through hands on configuration and support.
You will:
<ul>
<li>Provide end‑user support across secure networks (Warminster; remote University Park): troubleshoot medium/complex issues, reset passwords, and maintain Jira tickets, change requests, and asset records</li>
<li>Complete on-site tasks for the Warminster facility that cannot be done remotely; hardware issues and replacements, provisioning endpoints/servers, peripheral management, networking, and cabling</li>
<li>Administer Windows/Linux systems across physical and virtual environments; provision, patch, baseline, and manage AD accounts/groups</li>
<li>Operate and maintain virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware/Hyper‑V): create VMs/templates/snapshots, monitor resources, and optimize performance</li>
<li>Hardening &amp; compliance: apply DISA STIGs, remediate findings, track POA&amp;Ms/evidence; support audits/assessments and meet DoD/NIST controls</li>
<li>Basic network administration (ports/VLANs/port security); monitor system/network health, respond to alerts, perform root‑cause analysis, and remediate</li>
<li>Continuous Monitoring; deploy Splunk universal forwarders, ensure log ingestion health and develop searches, alerts, and dashboards for ops/cyber use</li>
<li>Develop and maintain Warminster SOPs aligned to University Park, covering system administration, access management, backup/restore, patching, and incident response</li>
<li>Drive continuous improvement: standardize runbooks, automate routine tasks, and reduce Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR) across services</li>
</ul>
Required skills and experience include:
<ul>
<li>Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required</li>
<li>The ability to certify and maintain information security related certification (Security+, CASP+, CySA+)</li>
<li>Demonstrated ability to adopt new technologies and tools, serving as the primary implementer and maintainer, including configuration, documentation, and support</li>
<li>Windows/Linux administration: AD/Group Policy, provisioning, patching, and baseline management</li>
<li>VMware administration (vRealize, vSphere, NSX, SRM)</li>
<li>Networking fundamentals: L2 switching, VLANs, port security; troubleshoot ports/cabling on-site.</li>
<li>Security &amp; compliance: Apply DISA STIGs, remediate findings, track POA&amp;Ms, produce audit artifacts; familiarity with DoD/NIST controls</li>
<li>Monitoring/observability: Splunk Universal Forwarders, log ingestion health, write searches, alerts, and dashboards</li>
<li>Scripting &amp; automation: PowerShell/Bash; standardize runbooks and automate routine tasks to reduce MTTR</li>
<li>Service management: Jira Service Management/Assets—ticketing, change control, asset/CMDB hygiene; ITIL incident/problem practices</li>
<li>Documentation: Develop and maintain SOPs/runbooks for Warminster aligned to University Park (system admin, access, backup/restore, patching, incident response)</li>
</ul>
Preferred skills and experience include:
<ul>
<li>Automating management of Linux and Windows systems</li>
<li>Development of secure Linux and Windows system baseline configurations</li>
<li>Systems management (SCCM, Satellite, Ansible, IDM, AAP)</li>
<li>DoD Regulations: Familiarity with security standards and regulations, such as DoD 8500.01 and NIST guidelines</li>
<li>DISA STIG experience with reviewing, implementing, validating compliance and producing checklists</li>
</ul>
Minimum Education, Work Experience &amp; Required Certifications
If filled as IT Platform Administrator (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as IT Platform Administrator (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at <a href="http://www.arl.psu.edu" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.arl.psu.edu</a>.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
Salary &amp; Benefits
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $75,468.00 - $145,428.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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