DevOps System Administrator (AI/ML Infrastructure)
📍 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
🏢 Work Environment: 100% Onsite
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🛡️ Security Clearance Required: Active DoD TS/SCI with Polygraph
✈️ Travel: Occasional
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $126,000 – $150,000
Full Benefits Package
Relocation Assistance Available
No commission or overtime eligibility
🚀 Position Overview
A leading defense technology organization is seeking an experienced DevOps System Administrator to support and optimize advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) infrastructure within a highly secure classified environment.
This role will focus on building, maintaining, and automating enterprise-scale infrastructure supporting AI model development, training, testing, and deployment. The successful candidate will work closely with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, and Infrastructure Teams to ensure scalable, secure, and high-performing environments.
This is an excellent opportunity to work on mission-critical technologies supporting national security initiatives while leveraging cutting-edge AI, cloud-native, and automation technologies.
🔧 Key Responsibilities
AI/ML Infrastructure Management
Design, implement, and maintain scalable infrastructure for AI/ML model training and inference
Manage GPU resources and high-performance computing environments
Support machine learning development and deployment workflows
Collaborate with Data Scientists and ML Engineers to streamline model development through production
DevOps & Automation
Develop and manage CI/CD pipelines for AI applications and ML models
Automate:
Infrastructure provisioning
Configuration management
Deployment processes
Utilize Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools including:
Terraform
Ansible
Containerization & Orchestration
Deploy and manage containerized environments using:
Docker
Kubernetes
Scale and optimize AI/ML services within secure enterprise environments
Linux & Systems Administration
Administer Linux-based operating systems and virtualized server environments
Perform:
Server configuration
Performance tuning
Patch management
Troubleshooting
Monitoring
Support both physical and virtual infrastructure environments
Monitoring & Operational Support
Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting solutions
Analyze system alerts and perform root-cause investigations
Create scripts to automate repetitive administrative tasks
Troubleshoot networking, storage, and server-related issues
Technical Leadership
Serve as a subject matter expert for server and infrastructure operations
Mentor team members and provide technical guidance
Support system design, analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives
Identify opportunities to leverage AI and automation for operational efficiency
✅ Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in:
Computer Science
Related technical field
OR equivalent experience
OR
Master’s Degree with 6+ years of relevant experience
Experience
7–10 years of relevant systems administration, infrastructure, or DevOps experience
Strong enterprise server administration background
Experience supporting large-scale production environments
Advanced Linux administration skills
Experience supporting virtualized infrastructure environments
🔒 Clearance Requirements (Mandatory)
✔ Active DoD TS/SCI with Polygraph required at time of hire
✔ U.S. Citizenship required
✔ Clearance must be active and current
❌ No sponsorship available
❌ No clearance reinstatement candidates
🛠️ Required Technical Skills
✔ Linux Administration
✔ Docker
✔ Kubernetes
✔ AI/ML Infrastructure Support
✔ CI/CD Pipeline Management
✔ Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible)
✔ Virtualization Technologies
✔ Enterprise Server Support
✔ Networking & Storage Troubleshooting
✔ Automation & Scripting
⭐ Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting AI/ML development environments
GPU resource management experience
High-performance computing environments
Cloud-native infrastructure experience
Container orchestration at enterprise scale
Experience within classified or defense environments
🎯 Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a highly technical infrastructure professional with deep Linux expertise, strong containerization skills, and experience supporting AI/ML environments in secure enterprise settings.
They will bring:
Active TS/SCI Poly clearance
Strong Docker and Kubernetes experience
Advanced troubleshooting capabilities
Enterprise systems administration expertise
Automation and DevOps mindset
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Passion for emerging technologies and AI-driven innovation
📋 Screening Questions
Do you have hands-on Linux administration experience?
Do you have experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or similar container platforms?
Are you comfortable working onsite full-time in Scottsdale, AZ?
Do you currently hold an active DoD TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance?
📌 Candidate Snapshot
Requirement
Details
Experience
7–10 Years
Seniority
Mid-Senior
Industry
Defense / Technology
Education
Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent
Clearance
Active TS/SCI Poly Required
Work Model
100% Onsite
Travel
Occasional
Relocation
Available
🌟 Why Join
Award-Winning Culture
Recognized as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace
Strong employee engagement and retention
Average employee tenure of 12 years
Work-Life Balance
Flexible 9/80 schedule
Every other Friday off
Generous PTO and parental leave
Outstanding Benefits
401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Tuition assistance and professional development support
Meaningful Work
Support cutting-edge technologies including:
Artificial Intelligence
Cloud Native Platforms
Advanced Cyber Systems
National Security Programs
Collaborative Environment
Strong engineering culture
Low micromanagement
High autonomy and ownership
Opportunities to innovate and contribute to mission-critical solutions
This role offers the opportunity to combine advanced DevOps expertise with next-generation AI technologies while supporting some of the most important missions in the defense and intelligence community.