Space Data and Software Systems Administrator

Are you passionate about contributing to a high functioning, inter-disciplinary team to address the challenging issues of national interest? We are seeking a creative, highly motivated, and well-rounded System Administrator to contribute with efforts in the development and sustainability of our infrastructure and environment. In addition to this, the successful candidate will have opportunities to work on a portfolio of exciting, challenging, and cutting-edge scientific and national security space missions. The Space Data and Software Systems Group (ISR-3) is an integral part of the Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and has core capabilities in software development, mission operations, data exploitation, data systems development and integration.

The Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory has been designing, building, and operating highly innovative ground, air and space-based measurement and detection systems for nearly 60 years. Our interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists work, learn, and succeed through a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. We lead experiments on operating NASA missions such as the Curiosity and Perseverance Rovers on Mars, mass spectrometers on the Van Allen Probes, a neutral atom imager on IBEX, and the NACHOS hyperspectral CubeSats, as well as the upcoming BEAMPIE rocket experiment and IMAP mission. We also build, fly, operate and analyze data from measurement systems deployed to space for verification of international nuclear treaties, and develop innovative sensors, ground, airborne, and space measurement systems for basic scientific missions, nuclear nonproliferation, space situational awareness and remote sensing.

Responsibilities include:

In addition to above, Scientist 2 responsibilities include:

Technical Knowledge: Knowledge and experience in administering Enterprise Linux as well as an understanding in virtualization technologies. Knowledge and experience in adhering to security requirements.

System Configuration: Knowledge and experience in utilizing system configuration management tools such as: Ansible, CFEngine, Puppet, etc...

Collaboration & Teaming Skills: Strong interpersonal and teaming skills. Ability to work with a diverse team of professionals and possess effective communication skills for all levels. Ability to leverage ingenuity, creativity, and personal independence to support multiple concurrent team tasks while being able to provide quality documentation for all internal and external stakeholders.

Network Storage Skills: Significant knowledge and experience in providing network attached storage solutions via protocols such as: NFS, CIFS, SMB, iSCSI, etc...

Scripting/Programming: Significant knowledge and experience in using languages such as C, Perl, Python, and/or Bash in team development settings.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university related to the occupation. Up to 2 years of related experience may be desired.

Education/Experience at higher level: Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Networking: Experience in configuring networking hardware such as: managed switches, routers and/or firewalls.

Container Management: Experience in managing and/or orchestration via platforms such as: Kubernetes and/or OpenShift.

Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all Laboratory employees, on-site contractors, and on-site subcontractors unless granted an accommodation under applicable state or federal law. This requirement will apply to those working on-site, those teleworking, and all new hires.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is a 1 year.

Interested applicants must include a cover letter and resume detailing how they meet the minimum requirement of the position. This position will require travel.

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.Employment StatusFull Time