DevOps System Administrator (AI/ML Infrastructure) - TS/SCI with CI Poly – Scottsdale, AZ

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

1. Do you have hands-on Linux administration experience?

2. Do you have experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or similar container platforms?

3. Are you comfortable working onsite full-time in Scottsdale, AZ?

4. 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.

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems | TS/SCI Poly | Scottsdale, AZ

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems

📍 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona / Remote Flexibility Available
🏢 Work Model: Remote with Travel Requirements
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🔐 Security Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI Clearance Required at Time of Hire
🔒 CI Polygraph Preferred (Must be eligible and willing to obtain post-hire if not currently held)

💰 Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $200,000 – $290,000
  (Depending on experience and qualifications)

• Full comprehensive benefits package

• Relocation assistance available for ideal candidates

• Interview travel reimbursement provided

📍 Location & Travel Expectations

• The role can ultimately be performed remotely with travel as needed

• However, the first 3 months will require significant onsite presence in Scottsdale to support onboarding, stakeholder integration, and operational ramp-up

• Following this initial period, candidates may be based remotely but must be willing to travel when required for program, customer, and leadership engagements

🚀 The Opportunity

A leading defense and aerospace organization is seeking a Business Segment Director to lead a portfolio of advanced national security and space mission programs supporting critical missions globally.

The portfolio includes technologies and programs related to:

• Data networking & secure data transport

• Cybersecurity & high-assurance cryptography

• Mission-critical space systems

• Satellites & embedded mission technologies

• Secure communications & networking platforms

This executive leadership role oversees high-value development and production programs and is responsible for strategic growth, operational execution, customer engagement, financial performance, and organizational leadership across a highly complex classified portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a proven defense industry executive with deep expertise across space systems, secure technologies, avionics, cybersecurity, cryptographic solutions, or embedded mission systems, combined with strong operational leadership and business development capabilities.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Lead and expand a portfolio of mission-critical defense and space programs

• Develop and execute short- and long-term business growth strategies

• Identify and capture adjacent and new business opportunities

• Drive business development and customer engagement initiatives

• Support strategic portfolio growth within national security and classified environments

Program & Operational Leadership

• Oversee execution of complex development and production programs

• Manage financial, operational, schedule, and customer satisfaction objectives

• Ensure successful delivery across highly classified and technically complex environments

• Balance mission urgency, execution discipline, and customer expectations

• Lead operational performance across multiple programs and business initiatives

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as senior interface to government and defense customers

• Build trusted relationships across:

• Space systems organizations

• Cryptographic and cybersecurity communities

• Networking and avionics sectors

• Certification and mission authorities

• Communicate effectively with executive, operational, and technical stakeholders

• Represent the business segment with senior internal and external leadership

Organizational & Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor high-performing engineering and program leadership teams

• Drive accountability, collaboration, and organizational alignment

• Support transformation and change management initiatives

• Foster an inclusive, innovative, and mission-focused culture

• Build and sustain high-performing cross-functional teams

Technical & Mission Leadership

• Support programs involving:

• Satellites and space mission systems

• Secure networking solutions

• High-assurance cryptographic systems

• Embedded mission technologies

• Secure communications platforms

• Collaborate across engineering, operations, and customer teams to deliver mission success

• Support Agile development environments and innovation initiatives

• Identify opportunities for AI-enabled operational improvements and efficiencies

✅ Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 15+ years of leadership experience within defense contracting or related national security environments

• Proven experience managing:

• Complex development programs

• Production programs

• Large portfolios or business segments

• Strong expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Space systems

• Satellites

• Cryptography

• Cybersecurity

• Secure networking

• National security systems

• Active TS/SCI clearance required at time of hire

• Ability and willingness to obtain CI Polygraph clearance

• U.S. Citizenship required

⭐ Preferred Background

• Embedded systems or avionics experience

• Experience supporting compartmented programs

• Agile development environment experience

• Existing relationships across aerospace and defense communities

• Experience operating within large matrix organizations

• Strong financial and operational leadership capability

• Experience leading organizational transformation initiatives

🛠️ Core Skills

✔ Strategic Planning
✔ Business Development
✔ Program Execution
✔ Space Systems Leadership
✔ Cryptographic Solutions
✔ Cybersecurity
✔ Financial Management
✔ Customer Relationship Management
✔ Change Management
✔ Team Leadership
✔ Defense Contracting
✔ Agile Development
✔ Operational Leadership
✔ National Security Programs

🎯 Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an executive-level aerospace or defense leader who:

• Brings deep expertise across mission-critical national security programs

• Understands complex space mission systems and secure technologies

• Has successfully led large organizations through growth and transformation

• Combines strong operational execution with strategic business leadership

• Is highly customer-facing and trusted within classified defense environments

• Thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability mission environments

• Demonstrates strong leadership presence, communication, and stakeholder management capability

🌟 Why This Role Stands Out

• Lead highly strategic national security and space mission programs

• Influence cutting-edge technologies in cybersecurity, cryptography, and secure space systems

• Significant executive visibility and organizational influence

• Opportunity to shape the future of secure space mission capabilities

• Join a highly respected defense and aerospace organization supporting critical global missions

• Strong long-term growth and leadership opportunity

📋 Additional Details

• Travel required based on program and customer needs

• Director-level executive leadership position

• Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates

• Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI clearance and be eligible to obtain a CI Polygraph

• Remote flexibility available following initial onboarding period

Recruiter Summary

This is a highly visible executive leadership opportunity within a premier aerospace and defense environment supporting advanced national security and space mission programs. The position offers the opportunity to lead complex classified portfolios involving secure communications, cybersecurity, cryptography, satellites, and mission-critical technologies while influencing long-term strategic growth and operational direction across the organization.

Ideal candidates will bring a blend of strategic leadership, operational excellence, technical credibility, customer engagement experience, and deep understanding of classified defense environments.