Sr. Systems Administrator (2026-110)

Join Our Award-Winning Team at Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES)!

We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Sr. Systems Administrator to join our cohesive Information Technology group in Kirkland WA.

** Candidates local to the greater Seattle/Kirkland WA area are highly desired. Relocation support is not available for this position. **

Job Summary

The Sr. System Administrator is responsible for ensuring the secure reliable and efficient operation of the organizations servers network storage and cloud infrastructure. This role leads the planning design and implementation of complex IT projects including upgrades migrations and new deployments. The Sr. System Administrator monitors and optimizes system performance implements and maintains security controls and ensures compliance with legal regulatory and company standards. This position also provides high-level technical support develops and maintains system documentation and standards and mentors other IT staff to build overall team capability.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the planning design and implementation of complex IT projects including system upgrades migrations and deployments.
• Manage and maintain the organizations servers storage systems virtualization platforms (e.g. Hyper-V) and network infrastructure.
• Set up and administer large file servers in clustered environments including permissions design and access structures.
• Monitor system and network performance to ensure optimal uptime performance and reliability; proactively identify and resolve complex technical issues.
• Develop implement and maintain robust backup and recovery strategies and procedures including enterprise Veeam backups.
• Administer and support Microsoft Azure services and related cloud platforms (e.g. Entra ID O/M365 Exchange Online and other Azure-based services).
• Administer and support Active Directory including forests domains organizational units groups accounts DFS DHCP DNS and Group Policy.
• Experience in design configuration and ongoing administration of the organizations network infrastructure (routers switches firewalls VPNs) ensuring secure reliable connectivity and optimal performance across all sites.
• Ensure infrastructure systems configurations and processes align with applicable cybersecurity and compliance frameworks (e.g. NIST 800-171 CMMC Level 2).
• Implement and maintain technical controls required for CMMC Level 2 including access control logging/monitoring configuration management and incident response capabilities.
• Participate in internal and external compliance activities including audits evidence collection system security plan (SSP) maintenance and POA&M remediation.
• Analyze complex business needs and recommend design and implement technical solutions to meet organizational objectives.
• Document system requirements architecture configurations standards and procedures; maintain up-to-date system and network documentation.
• Develop and maintain standards and procedures for system security configuration and operations; ensure compliance with legal regulatory and company policies.
• Provide high-level technical support and expertise for infrastructure and application systems as needed.
• Provide technical guidance mentorship and escalation support to other system administrators help desk staff and business system staff.
• Collaborate with other IT team members and business stakeholders to identify prioritize and deliver technology solutions that support business goals.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies tools and solutions to improve efficiency performance scalability and security of the environment.
• Assist in creating and maintaining disaster recovery and business continuity plans related to infrastructure systems.
• Support change management processes by planning testing documenting and implementing changes to systems and infrastructure.
• Maintain accurate records of incidents service requests resolutions and changes within IT service management tools.
• Meet the attendance guidelines of the job and adhere to departmental and company policies.
• Must complete all required Astronics Training programs within a set time frame.
• Duties responsibilities requirements and expectations pertaining to this job are subject to change as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelors degree from accredited institution or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5 or more years of systems administrator experience.
• Experience with enterprise storage active directory administration file server permissions server administration cluster environments along with Hyper-V.
• Experience with Azure services (Entra ID O/M365 and EXO).
• Experience with enterprise backup solutions. Veeam preferred.
• Experience with change management.
• Experience leading projects from inception to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with vendors clients and business partners desired.

Additional Requirements:

• This position may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-control laws. Employment is contingent upon the employees authorization to access such items under applicable law. The company does not guarantee and is under no obligation to seek such authorization if it is necessary.
• Pre-employment screenings: Must successfully pass a background check and drug test (including cannabis screening).

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $94208 - $141313 per year (mid-point: $117760)
• Quarterly Profit Sharing Bonus eligible

Factors such as education experience skills and market conditions influence the actual is not typical to be hired at or near the top of the range.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Health & Well-Being: Medical dental and vision coverage life insurance and disability plans. Optional plans include critical illness accident prevention and hospital indemnity coverage.
• Financial Security: Access to a robust 401K plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions an Employee Assistance Program and a culture committed to supporting holistic employee well-being.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Start your career with 120 hours of PTO annually plus 12 paid holidays per year.

Required Experience:

Senior IC