Senior System Administrator
Inversion
$97,000 - $154,000 / year
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Description
Advanced Reentry Technologies
Who We Are:
Inversion is an aerospace and defense company pioneering advanced reentry technology to enable next-generation capabilities from space. By combining high-performance materials, precision aerodynamics, and mission-driven autonomy, Inversion is transforming reentry into an operational capability for an entirely new class of missions.
The company’s highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft, Arc, is designed for rapid global cargo delivery, hypersonic testing, and other national security missions that require precise, controlled flight through the atmosphere. Arc creates an entirely new transportation domain, unlocking unprecedented speed and global reach.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Inversion designs, manufactures, and integrates its spacecraft under one roof, enabling the company to move rapidly from concept to flight. The company is backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, with customers across the U.S. government and commercial space industry.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced System Administrator to support mission‑critical IT infrastructure within a defense contracting environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in cloud technologies relevant to a regulated environment. Having a strong comprehension of security, compliance, and operational requirements common to defense and government settings.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage cloud services (AWS, Azure, or GCP) including provisioning, monitoring, and cost control aligned with program requirements.
- Experience managing, maintaining, and optimizing Windows and Linux (RHEL preferred) environments.
- Experience with containerized environments i.e. Docker and Kubernetes
- Configure, maintain, and secure network devices, firewalls, VPNs, and segmented networks used in controlled environments.
- Conduct system patching, updates, hardening, and continuous monitoring to meet security and compliance standards.
- Implement and maintain technical controls aligned with frameworks commonly used in defense contracting (e.g., ITAR, NIST, DFARS)
- Assist with identity and access management, including privileged access workflows.
- Troubleshoot system, network, and application issues to ensure continuity of operations.
- Support disaster recovery planning, contingency procedures, and backup strategies required for mission assurance.
- Collaborate with security, compliance, and engineering teams to ensure system readiness and adherence to program requirements.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in comparable environments
- Professional experience supporting systems within defense, federal, or other highly secure environments.
- Expertise in virtualization technologies and cloud platforms.
- Strong knowledge of networking protocols, routing, switching, and secure network design.
- Understanding of cybersecurity principles, secure configuration, and compliance standards common in defense contracts.
- Proficiency in Windows and Linux administration.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work within structured processes and controlled change environments.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting systems tied to government programs or regulated technical environments.
- Familiarity with automation tools such as PowerShell, Bash, Ansible, or Terraform.
- Relevant certifications such as AWS Dev Ops, AWS Solutions Architect, Google Professional Cloud Architect, Azure DevOps, Azure Solutions Architect.
- Relevant security certifications would be a plus.
Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.
The California annual base salary for this role is currently $97,000 - $154,000. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.
Benefits
- stock options
About this role
Inversion is building spacecraft designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating in extreme reentry conditions with precision landing capabilities. As a Senior System Administrator, you'd support the IT infrastructure that keeps this mission-critical work running within a defense contracting environment based in Playa Vista, California.
The role demands deep expertise across cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), Windows and Linux administration, containerization, and network security—all within the heavily regulated framework of defense contracting. You'll manage system hardening, compliance implementation aligned with standards like NIST and DFARS, identity and access controls, and disaster recovery planning. This is hands-on infrastructure work where your decisions directly affect operational continuity for government and national security programs.
You'll need at least five years in comparable defense or federal environments, strong troubleshooting skills, and the ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance. Cloud certifications and automation experience (PowerShell, Bash, Ansible, Terraform) are valued. The position is in-office only, with a salary range of $97,000–$154,000 based on experience and qualifications. ITAR compliance requirements mean you must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
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Pay for this role
$97,000 to $154,000 per year
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