Entry Level Linux System Administrator Jobs in Naperville, IL

NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing next-generation microreactor systems that will help transform the future of clean, reliable, and resilient energy. Through the development of its KRONOS MMR™ Energy System, LOKI MMR™ Energy System, and ZEUS™ Solid Core Battery Reactor—advanced high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technologies designed for applications including data centers, industrial operations, remote communities, and critical infrastructure, the company is advancing innovative nuclear solutions for a rapidly evolving energy landscape. NANO Nuclear has also submitted a Construction Permit Application (CPA) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to support the planned deployment of the KRONOS MMR at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), representing a significant milestone toward the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology.

Our Oak Brook facility serves as our primary engineering hub and Balance of Plant (BOP) manufacturing center. Because we operate in the defense and nuclear sectors, our IT infrastructure is built entirely within the Microsoft 365 GCC High (U.S. Sovereign Cloud) environment to strictly comply with DoD CMMC, NIST 800-171, and DOE Part 810 export controls.

We are seeking an IT Operations & Systems Administrator to serve as the technological backbone of our Oak Brook facility. You will be the primary on-the-ground IT support for our rapidly growing team of nuclear physicists and mechanical engineers, executing zero-touch hardware provisioning and daily helpdesk operations. Simultaneously, you will serve as our internal systems administrator, primarily focused on customizing and managing our Microsoft Dynamics 365 (CRM/ERP) environment and Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

• Execute rapid onboarding and offboarding for 1 to 2 new technical hires per week. Deploy and manage Windows 365 Cloud PCs and local hardware using Microsoft Intune
• Serve as the primary point of contact for local IT troubleshooting, networking, and software support at the Oak Brook manufacturing facility.
• Support local network connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E/7 provisioning on the manufacturing floor, and Microsoft Teams Rooms (A/V conferencing) maintenance.
• Apply critical thinking and sound judgement when evaluating issues, escalations and requests rather than defaulting to instructions without assessment.
• Exercise independent judgement in decision-making and is expected to raise concerns or push back on directives when something appears incorrect, risky or against policy.
• Works through problems independently and demonstrating ownership and initiative.
• Acknowledges all emails and support requests in a timely manner even if a full resolution will take longer.
• Delivers strong customer service to internal staff and external partners and treating every interaction as a reflection of the IT department.
• Act as the primary internal administrator for Microsoft Dynamics 365. You will configure custom tables, build dashboards, manage user access, and map our business processes (Vendor Management, CRM pipelines, and eventually Supply Chain/ERP) into the Dataverse.
• Assist in building and maintaining the NANO Enterprise Operating System (NEOS). Train department heads on managing their SharePoint Communication Sites, enforce the use of our flat-architecture Document ID system, and manage strict Document Library permissions.
• Manage Microsoft Entra ID groups and ensure users only have access to the specific data tiers required for their roles.

• Work with your manager to deploy and monitor Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels, ensuring Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and export-controlled CAD files are heavily restricted.
• Ensure all endpoint devices and user activities comply with our strict NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 2 cybersecurity baselines.

• Due to strict DOE Part 810 export controls and our Microsoft GCC High infrastructure, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• 3–5 years of experience in IT Operations, Linux/Windows server environments, Helpdesk, and Systems Administration.
• Proven experience administering Microsoft 365 environments, specifically Entra ID (Azure AD), Exchange, and SharePoint Online.
• Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of providing frictionless IT support to highly technical end-users (engineers, scientists, executives).

• Direct experience administering Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Sales, Customer Service, or Project Operations). Note: Candidates with strong Salesforce administration experience willing to transition to Dynamics 365 will be highly considered.
• Experience with Microsoft Intune (MDM/MAM) and deploying virtual desktops (Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop), HPC Systems
• Previous experience working in defense, aerospace, or nuclear sectors, with a basic understanding of GCC High, FedRAMP, or CMMC compliance standards.

NANO Nuclear Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.