Systems Administrator

As a Systems Administrator at Expression, you'll engage in deploying and maintaining applications in AWS and other cloud environments, ensuring smooth operations by troubleshooting applications running on Linux VMs, and implementing vital security requirements such as STIGs and OS patches. Your role is integral to supporting installations and monitoring containers in OpenShift, making sure our clients' solutions perform optimally.

To qualify for the Systems Administrator role at Expression, applicants should hold at least an associate's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field, along with 2+ years of experience as a DevOps, Cloud, or Software Engineer. Additionally, a TS/SCI clearance is required, and candidates should be either Sec+ Certified or willing to obtain the certification within their first month.

Yes, experience with AWS is crucial for the Systems Administrator position at Expression. Ideal candidates should have experience working in cloud-based environments, particularly in deploying and maintaining applications in AWS. Familiarity with Linux/Unix systems and troubleshooting applications within those environments is also important.

Absolutely! Expression prides itself on a culture of 'Perpetual Innovation,' which means there are always opportunities for professional growth and development. As you gain experience and contribute to meaningful projects, you can expect to advance within the company in various technical and leadership roles, especially if you’re proactive about learning new skills.

In addition to a competitive salary ranging from $110,000 to $145,000, Systems Administrators at Expression enjoy a range of benefits, including opportunities for professional certification, a supportive work culture, and the chance to work on impactful projects that contribute to national security. Expression values its employees and encourages a healthy work-life balance.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects or tasks where you've deployed or maintained applications in AWS. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Mention any tools or services you used within AWS, such as EC2, S3, or Lambda, and the positive impacts your efforts had on performance or security.

In your response, explain a systematic approach you use for troubleshooting, such as checking logs, examining system metrics, and reproducing the issue when possible. Provide an example of a specific problem you resolved, the steps you took, and the outcome. Emphasizing strong problem-solving skills will resonate well with interviewers.

Discuss any experiences you have with implementing security requirements like STIGs, IAVAMs, or OS patching. Mention any specific tools you have utilized, such as Ansible for automation or compliance checkers. Highlight the importance of security compliance in protecting sensitive data and how your actions contribute to overall system integrity.

When answering, bring up various technologies you've worked with, such as Docker, OpenShift, or Kubernetes. Provide examples of how you've deployed and managed containers, and discuss any CI/CD practices you've been involved in that utilize these technologies. Your ability to articulate the benefits of containerization will highlight your technical expertise.

Share your approach to task management, whether you use priority matrices, project management tools, or another system. Provide an example of a challenging time when you had to balance multiple demands and what strategies you implemented to ensure efficient operations without compromising service quality.

Highlight a specific issue that occurred in a live production environment, detailing your diagnostic process and eventual resolution. Focus on the steps you took to ensure minimal disruption, what resources you utilized, and how your teamwork helped solve the problem efficiently.

Discuss your familiarity with CI/CD practices and tools you've used for pipeline automation, such as Jenkins or GitLab. Provide examples of how you have set up or maintained these pipelines and the benefits this brought to the development lifecycle, such as faster deployment times or improved integration quality.

In your response, speak about any online courses, certifications, or communities you engage with to further your knowledge. Discuss how staying informed about industry trends and technological advancements impacts your role as a Systems Administrator and enhances your ability to contribute to the team.

Share your familiarity with monitoring tools, such as CloudWatch or Nagios. Explain how you have utilized these tools to ensure system performance and reliability, and provide an example of a situation where monitoring helped you identify and address an issue proactively.

Reflect on aspects such as Expression’s commitment to innovation, the dynamic projects they undertake, and the company culture. Discuss how your career goals align with the company's mission and how you see yourself contributing to their success while growing in your own career.