System Administrator - SVAT

SAIC is seeking a System Administrator focused on Service Verification and Acceptance Testing (SVAT) in Colorado Springs to support a mission-critical DoD environment. The SVAT System Administrator is responsible for operating and maintaining the Test & Integration Lab (TIL), executing and documenting SVAT activities, and ensuring that new or changed IT services are thoroughly validated prior to production deployment.

This role works closely with engineering, cybersecurity, and operations teams to test capabilities across infrastructure, networks, and applications, and to provide objective evidence that solutions meet functional, performance, and security requirements.

Responsibilities:

Test & Integration Lab (TIL) / Environment Management

- Administer and maintain the SVAT / Test & Integration Lab environment that mirrors the production baseline (systems, configurations, and integrations).
- Build, configure, and patch Windows Server and workstation images (and Linux where applicable) used for SVAT activities.
- Maintain lab documentation: system build guides, configuration baselines, network diagrams, and inventory/CMDB updates.

SVAT Planning & Execution

- Implement SVAT plans and procedures provided by engineering and project teams; provide input to improve test coverage and feasibility.
- Execute SVAT test cases (functional, regression, integration, performance/smoke) for infrastructure, network, and application changes.
- Validate test results, capture logs and screenshots, and document defects, deviations, and risks.
- Participate in test readiness reviews and post-test reviews with engineering, cyber, and operations stakeholders.

Change, Configuration, and Release Support

- Support Change Advisory Board (CAB) and Configuration Control Board (CCB) activities by:

Providing SVAT results and recommendations on readiness for production.

Identifying configuration items (CIs) impacted by changes and ensuring CMDB accuracy.
- Verify that changes implemented in the lab align with approved Bill of Materials (BOM), design documents, and change records.
- Support rollback testing and validation of back-out procedures as part of release readiness.

Security, RMF, and Compliance Integration

- Coordinate with cybersecurity personnel to ensure SVAT considers security requirements, including STIG baselines, vulnerability findings, and RMF control implementation evidence.
- Validate that security patches, configuration changes, and new capabilities do not degrade system security or operational performance.
- Provide SVAT artifacts (test reports, screenshots, logs) as evidence for RMF/ATO packages and POA&M closure where applicable.

Documentation & Reporting

- Produce clear SVAT documentation, including:
- Test execution reports and evaluation summaries.
- Defect/issue reports and retest results.
- Recommendations for acceptance, conditional acceptance, or rejection.
- Update lab SOPs, test procedures, and configuration documentation as environments evolve.
- Maintain traceability between requirements, test cases, test results, and defects.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field and 3+ years of relevant IT experience; OR an Associate’s degree and 5+ years of relevant IT experience; OR 7+ years of directly related IT/System Administration experience in lieu of a degree.
- Active Secret clearance (TS/SCI eligibility preferred).
- 3+ years of hands-on System Administration experience in a Windows Server / Windows client environment (Linux experience a plus).
- Experience configuring, patching, and troubleshooting servers and workstations in a DoD or similar enterprise environment.
- Experience executing or supporting system or integration testing (e.g., functional, regression, performance) for infrastructure, network, or application changes.
- Familiarity with change and configuration management concepts (CAB, CCB, CMDB, CIs) in an ITIL-aligned environment.
- Ability to create and maintain basic test documentation: test steps, expected results, actual results, and defect logging.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to document results and brief technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications

- Active TS/SCI clearance.
- CompTIA Security+ CE (or higher DoD 8570/8140 IAT certification).
- Experience with SVAT / TIL operations in a DoD, COCOM, or similar mission environment.
- Exposure to RMF/ATO processes and use of test artifacts as security control evidence.
- Experience with DISA STIGs, ACAS, IAVM/CTO/CTASK implementation, or similar vulnerability and hardening activities.

Familiarity with one or more of the following:

- Virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware vSphere/ESXi, Hyper-V).
- Configuration / patch management tools (e.g., SCCM/ConfigMgr, WSUS, Ansible).
- ITSM tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Remedy, Ivanti) for change/incidents.
- ITIL v4 Foundation or other ITIL/ITSM training.

Core Competencies:

- Technical Rigor: Able to configure, test, and troubleshoot systems in a controlled lab environment.
- Test Discipline: Methodical execution of test plans, accurate logging of results, and thorough documentation of issues.
- Change Awareness: Understand the impact of changes on services, dependencies, and security posture.
- Collaboration: Work effectively with engineers, cybersecurity, and operations staff to validate solutions.
- Attention to Detail: Maintain configuration integrity between lab and production baselines and ensure accurate test evidence.