Freelance Azure System Administrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Azure System Administrator

Job Location: Alexandria, VA.

Clearance Required: Secret

Employment Type: Full-Time/Exempt

Job Description:

Syneren is currently seeking an experiencedSr. Azure Systems Administrator to join our team. This is a pivotal role responsible for the administration and management of our Azure cloud and On-Prem infrastructure, ensuring our systems are secure, scalable, and resilient. Contractor is required to be onsite.

Company Overview

Syneren Technologies Corporation has expertise in operating, maintaining, and modernizing applications and IT systems for the Federal Government. We provide scientific and engineering expertise for critical agency missions. Our goal is to be at the forefront of change so that we can bring the best ideas to fruition for our clients' missions.

Essential Job Duties (Note: a minimum of 2-3 years' experience with the items in bold below is required):

1. Azure Infrastructure Management

• Azure Infrastructure / Enclave Management Black/Red Subs
• User account management via Active Directory or Azure AD
• Deploy, configure, and maintain Azure resources (VMs, storage, networking, etc.)
• Manage Azure Active Directory, role-based access control (RBAC), and identity services
• Infrastructure Service Request Submission & Tracking
• Monitor and optimize performance of cloud-hosted applications and services
• Azure managed SQL services administration
• F5 Load Balancer and DNS configuration and maintenance
• Hardware inventory and lifecycle tracking
• System and application monitoring tools
• Email infrastructure such as Exchange or M365
• Support for tools like Teams and SharePoint
• Support for cross-domain solutions (CDS, data guards)
• Certification management / certificate renewal and revocation
• Time server synchronization and integrity

1. Security & Compliance

• Implement and manage security controls using Azure Security Center
• Ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, ISO 27001)
• Patch management for desktops, laptops, and workstations
• Vulnerability scanning and patch remediation
• Management of public key infrastructure certificates
• Authentication services and single sign-on integration
• Support for segregated classified and unclassified networks
• Compliance and accreditation reporting (e.g., ATO)
• Maintain data integrity and availability across environments
• Controlled patching for classified environments via WSUS
• Secure backup media rotation for classified systems
• Support for secure token and smart card access
• Support for audits using STIGs, RMF, etc.
• Monitoring and enforcing secure network segmentation
• Enforcement of policies for USB and removable media
• Sanitization and incident response for classified data leaks
• Service level agreements for critical classified systems
• Command Cyber Readiness Inspection preparation
• Support for SCIF access and badge systems
• Endpoint Detection & Response platform operations
• Log forwarding and alerting architecture (e.g., Splunk)
• Enforcing role-based access control policies
• Automated auditing of secure config baselines (STIG/CIS)
• Hardening and auditing of jump box/bastion systems
• Privileged Access Workstation operations and restrictions
• Command-line logging (bash history, PowerShell logs)
• Password/credential rotation and hygiene enforcement
• Configuration of Sentinel, ForeScout, and Trellix
• CORA inspection / auditing support
• Conduct regular audits and vulnerability assessments

1. Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Backup and disaster recovery testing and validation
• Maintenance of application servers
• Configure and manage Azure Backup and Site Recovery solutions
• Develop and test disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity

1. Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Tier-1 and Tier-2 technical support and ticket resolution
• Provide Tier 3 support for escalated technical issues
• Use tools like Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Application Insights to track system health
• Diagnose and resolve performance issues, outages, and configuration errors

Non-Essential Duties:

1. General IT Support

• Assisting help desk teams with non-cloud-related technical issues
• Troubleshooting local hardware or software problems outside Azure scope
• Supporting desktop or on-premises systems during outages or transitions

1. Procurement & Vendor Coordination

• Participating in vendor selection or procurement discussions
• Reviewing third-party tools or services not directly tied to Azure infrastructure
• Coordinating with external consultants for non-Azure projects

1. Mentorship & Training

• Informally mentoring junior IT staff or interns
• Conducting workshops or presentations on general IT topics
• Supporting cross-training initiatives across departments

1. Documentation & Reporting

• Creating internal newsletters or non-technical reports
• Documenting legacy systems or historical configurations
• Assisting with administrative tasks like scheduling or meeting coordination

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 8 years of proven experience as a System Administrator in the US Federal Government.
• 5+ years' experience managing Azure services (including windows VMs) in an Azure Government cloud.
• Experience Managing Windows Servers 2019/2022
• Expert on DoD patch Management and Vulnerability Remediation (Process and Tools).
• Experience going through a migration of systems from on-prem to Azure Cloud.
• Understanding of Azure services and solutions, including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Storage, and Azure Networking.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or higher Azure certification.
• Candidate will be required to have or obtain a Secret level Clearance.
• IAT II Certifications IAW DoD (For DoD IAT Level 2, the two required certs are as follows:CompTIA Security+orSSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)Other security-related certs that are accepted (in addition to the above two certs) as well for the DoD IAT Level 2 include the following as well: CCNA Security; CySA+; GICSP; GSEC).

Education:

• 4-year degree in Computer Science or a related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Azure Apps, Azure Functions and Azure Kubernetes Service
• Experience with Azure DevOps
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Bachelor's degree or higher in an IT related field such as MIS, Computer Science

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• May require extended hours during project deadlines or system implementations.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods in stationary position at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move throughout the office, including across longer distances such as from the building entrance to the workspace.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.ADA Compliance: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.EEO-1 Statement: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.E-Verify Participation: This employer participates in E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.