IT Systems Administrator, Launch

SpaceX

Starbase, TX

On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have experience with mission-critical IT systems and enterprise network deployment.

Best fit for

Candidates with mid-level IT systems experience and a track record in enterprise network deployment
— “support the networking, compute administration, and application support needs of our launch environment”
Individuals who thrive in high-pressure, mission-critical environments with a sense of urgency
— “must be comfortable working on mission-critical systems with a sense of urgency appropriate to the responsibilities”
Professionals with hands-on experience in Linux or Windows server administration and a background in cybersecurity standards
— “Ensure that systems are configured and maintained in compliance with industry and cybersecurity standards (e.g. ITAR, ISO, NIST)”

Things to consider

Must be eligible for U.S. Air Force background checks and ITAR compliance, limiting non-U.S. candidates
— “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158”
Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and be on after-hours on-call rotation is essential
— “Willing to work extended hours or weekends as necessary. Willing to be on after-hours on-call rotation.”

How to stand out

Emphasize experience with automation frameworks like Terraform or Ansible in your resume and interview answers
— “Leverage automation tools and contribute to IT systems engineering efforts.”
Highlight your ability to maintain operational excellence and attention to detail in mission-critical systems
— “must be comfortable working on mission-critical systems with a sense of urgency appropriate to the responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail and operational excellence.”
Showcase your documentation skills, especially in systems design and procedures
— “Author and maintain documentation for IT systems, from systems overview documents and design drawings to procedures.”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

deployed new IT infrastructure
maintained mission-critical systems
resolved technical issues

Typical background

experience in IT systems administration

Skills & requirements

Required

IT Systems AdministrationNetworkingServer AdministrationCybersecurity

Preferred

AutomationVirtualization

Stack & domain

LinuxWindowsNetworkingAutomationCybersecurityCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkIt

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
IT SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR, LAUNCH
SpaceX is looking for a highly skilled and knowledgeable IT Systems Administrator to support the networking, compute administration, and application support needs of our launch environment. This role will be pivotal to the enablement of safe and sustained launch cadence, directly supporting our goals of making humanity a multiplanetary species. Candidate must be comfortable working on mission-critical systems with a sense of urgency appropriate to the responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail and operational excellence.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Augment and deploy new IT infrastructure, including networking, server, and desktop hardware directly supporting mission critical networks across the country.
Perform periodic systems upgrades and patches in between critical operations, sometimes on weekends and evenings.
Monitor IT services and respond aggressively to incidents to maintain systems performance.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to proactively identify and resolve potential technical issues with systems deployments.
Author and maintain documentation for IT systems, from systems overview documents and design drawings to procedures.
Leverage automation tools and contribute to IT systems engineering efforts.
Ensure that systems are configured and maintained in compliance with industry and cybersecurity standards (e.g. ITAR, ISO, NIST).
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
3+ years of experience in IT systems administration.
Hands-on experience with Linux or Windows server administration.
Experience with enterprise network administration and deployment.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Working knowledge of network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, NTP, PTP etc), firewalls administration and cybersecurity technologies.
Proficiency in scripting (Bash/Powershell/Python) and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, Puppet).
Familiarity with Active Directory and multi-platform authentication/identification environments.
Experience with virtualization platforms and tools.
Understanding of Layer 1 configuration best practices and multiplexing technologies.
Working knowledge, including the ability to setup, configure, upgrade, manage, and troubleshoot, Windows-based systems and services (i.e. SCCM, Active Directory).
Exposure to real-time systems and industrial telemetry networks.
Experience with configuration management, provisioning, infrastructure as code, and other DevOps concepts and tools.
Excellent communications skills with the ability to communicate with internal/external customers, vendors, management etc. in both formal and informal situations.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.
Must have valid driver's license.
Willing to work extended hours or weekends as necessary.
Willing to be on after-hours on-call rotation.
Ability to lift up to 30lbs.
Ability to work at heights.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)