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Systems Administrator Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ASM Research

Systems Administrator, Lead

Lead or support investigations following incidents or disruptions; facilitate ITIL-aligned root cause analysis and guide implementation of corrective and preventive actions. * Serve as a subject ...

iNovex Information Systems

System Administrator Lead

Reston, VA · On-site

$190K - $240K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are looking for a Systems Administrator Lead to join our program supporting a key government customer. This individual is responsible application design, development and deployment of DoD systems.

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$88.9K

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How much do systems administrator lead jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems administrator lead in the United States is $88,927.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a systems administrator lead?

A Systems Administrator Lead is an IT professional responsible for overseeing a team of system administrators and managing the overall operation, maintenance, and security of an organization's computer systems and networks. They ensure that systems run efficiently, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and implement upgrades or new technologies as needed. Additionally, they often develop policies, mentor junior staff, and coordinate with other departments to support business objectives. Their role is critical in maintaining uptime and ensuring data integrity across the organization's IT infrastructure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a systems administrator lead?

To thrive as a Systems Administrator Lead, you need advanced knowledge of system architectures, server management, networking, and a relevant degree or certifications such as CompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, or Red Hat Certified System Administrator. Expertise in tools like Active Directory, VMware, Linux/Unix systems, and monitoring platforms is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help manage teams and coordinate with other IT departments. These skills ensure the stability, security, and optimal performance of critical IT infrastructure while effectively guiding and mentoring junior administrators.

What are some typical challenges a systems administrator lead faces when managing a diverse IT team?

As a Systems Administrator Lead, you may encounter challenges such as aligning team members with varying skill sets, ensuring consistent adherence to security protocols, and coordinating responses to critical system incidents. Balancing project deadlines with ongoing maintenance tasks and facilitating effective communication between stakeholders and technical staff are also common hurdles. Proactively fostering collaboration and continuous learning within your team can help address these challenges and contribute to overall IT performance.

What is the difference between Systems Administrator Lead vs Systems Administrator?

AspectSystems Administrator LeadSystems Administrator
CertificationsCompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, Cisco CCNACompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server
Work EnvironmentTeam leadership, project coordination, overseeing IT infrastructureMaintaining and supporting IT systems, troubleshooting, daily operations
Employer & Industry UsageIT departments across various industries, often in larger organizationsIT support teams, small to medium businesses, enterprise environments

The Systems Administrator Lead typically has additional responsibilities in team management and project oversight compared to the Systems Administrator. While both roles require similar technical certifications and work in similar environments, the Lead focuses more on leadership and strategic planning, whereas the Systems Administrator concentrates on daily system maintenance and support.

Do systems administrator leads make good money?

Systems administrator leads typically earn higher salaries than standard administrators due to their leadership responsibilities and technical expertise. According to industry data, their median annual pay ranges from $80,000 to over $120,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications such as CompTIA or Cisco. They often work in enterprise environments and require strong skills in network management, security, and team coordination.
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Systems Administrator Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Systems Administrator Lead job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,927 per year, or $42.8 per hour.

Systems Administrator Lead

Trace Systems

Pope Army Airfield, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Job Overview
Job Title: Systems Administrator Lead
Location: Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, NC
This position is pending contract award.
Job Responsibilities
Trace Systems is seeking an experienced Systems Administrator Lead to support a global transport network supporting the US Special Operations Command and mission partners. This role supports critical communications infrastructure and will require shift work. The Systems Administrator Lead will provide Tier II systems administration and operational support.
  • Monitor, administer, troubleshoot, and restore enterprise systems and services across physical, virtual, cloud, and hybrid computing environments.
  • Support ISR mission systems and associated server infrastructure, ensuring reliable availability, performance, and delivery of operational mission data.
  • Work directly with vendors and mission partners to ensure complete integration of new technologies into the C2/ISR enterprise.
  • Perform root-cause analysis of system outages, performance degradation, and service disruptions while documenting findings, corrective actions, and lessons learned.
  • Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Microsoft Windows Server, Linux, virtualization platforms, storage solutions, and enterprise applications.
  • Support commissioning, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment of new server infrastructure, enterprise services, and mission support systems.
  • Prepare and deliver operational reports, technical assessments, outage summaries, and status briefings to customer leadership.
  • Provide technical assistance to users operating from headquarters, regional hubs, remote sites, and forward-deployed locations.
  • Participate in preventive maintenance activities, system upgrades, patch management, technology refresh efforts, and lifecycle replacement initiatives.
  • Maintain system documentation, architecture diagrams, standard operating procedures, configuration baselines, and knowledge management repositories.
  • Coordinate activities with network engineers, cybersecurity personnel, logistics support teams, and program management staff to ensure mission success.
  • Administer and support enterprise services including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file services, virtualization platforms, backup solutions, and identity/access management systems.
  • Support Information Assurance (IA), Risk Management Framework (RMF), STIG implementation, vulnerability remediation, and cybersecurity compliance activities.
  • Assist with system capacity planning, performance monitoring, resource optimization, and modernization initiatives supporting customer objectives.
  • Support occasional travel requirements, site surveys, acceptance testing, and field troubleshooting activities as required.
  • May require overnight testing to meet mission needs.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Active, in-scope US Government issued Secret clearance.
  • Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, US Citizenship is required.
  • Candidates must meet the qualification requirements of DoDM 8140.03 for the DCWF 451 - System Administrator (Intermediate) work role through an approved qualification pathway (Education, DoD Military/Training, Certification, or a combination thereof), as defined by the applicable contract. Qualification Pathways (One or More May Apply)
  • Education (OR), Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems or related technical field OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Certification (OR), DoD-approved 8140-aligned certification for DCWF 451 (Intermediate), such as: CompTIA Security+, Cloud+, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP Or other equivalent DoD-recognized certifications aligned to the work role.
  • 7+ years administering servers/VMs/storage, patch/backup, and IAM.
  • Ability to travel worldwide, including to remote or austere locations. Individual trips may extend up to two months, with the possibility of multiple trips per year.
  • Hands-on experience administering Microsoft Windows Server, Linux operating systems, virtualization platforms (VMware/Hyper-V), and enterprise storage solutions.
  • Working knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, identity and access management, backup/recovery solutions, and enterprise systems monitoring tools.
  • Experience performing system log analysis, performance troubleshooting, patch management, vulnerability remediation, fault isolation, and root-cause investigations within enterprise environments.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical personnel.

Desired Qualification
  • Experience supporting SOCOM, CENTCOM, AFRICOM, TRANSCOM, Space Force, or other Combatant Command environments.
  • Experience supporting OCONUS operations and remote-site sustainment activities.
  • Prior military service or experience supporting DOD customers.

Trace Systems
Trace Systems Inc. was founded to support and defend our nation's security interests at home and abroad-- whenever and wherever. We provide enterprise IT, engineering, full life-cycle communications, cybersecurity, cloud and virtualization services and solutions to the United States Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
To Apply: We invite you to put your talents to work by joining a growing team of dynamic professionals here at Trace Systems! Be part of a culture at our leading-edge company where you can achieve great things while fostering a satisfying and rewarding career progression. To learn more about our current openings, text 'tracejobs' to 97211 or apply directly through our website at: www.tracesystems.com. #jointracesystems
Trace Systems is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.

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