Principal Technician (functional Area Services)

Principal Technician (Functional Area Services)

Norfolk, VA

DEFTEC delivers mission critical solutions through skillfully delivered services and innovative products. We are inspired by the critical missions of our clients, and we are driven to provide the most effective solutions to execute their missions, operational challenges, and requirements. Our dedicated, experienced, and talented employees work closely with our clients to ensure the delivery of exceptional services and products.

Position Overview

The Systems and Applications Administrator supports the configuration, deployment, and maintenance of NATO COI/FAS, databases, and C2 systems. The role involves software and network support, system monitoring, troubleshooting, and release/deployment activities to ensure mission-critical applications remain secure, reliable, and effective. The Administrator also provides user support, develops installation standards, and coordinates with other technical organizations to maintain operational readiness.

Job Responsibilities:

Software Configuration

• Assists in designing, verifying, documenting, amending and refactoring moderately complex software configurations for deployment.
• Applies agreed standards and tools, to achieve a well-engineered result.
• Collaborates in reviews of work with others as appropriate.

System Software

• Monitors operational systems for resource usage and failure rates, to inform and facilitate system software tuning.
• Applies system software parameters to maximise throughput and efficiency.
• Installs and tests new versions of system software.
• Contributes to preparation of software implementation procedures with fall back contingency plans.

Network Support

• Carries out agreed network maintenance tasks and specified operational configuration of network components.
• Establish and diagnose network problems/faults using the required troubleshooting methodology and tools.
• Uses network management software and tools to collect agreed performance and traffic statistics.

Systems Installation and Removal

• Installs or removes hardware and/or software, using supplied installation instructions and tools, including handover to the client.
• Uses standard procedures and diagnostic tools to test installations, correct problems, and document results.
• Records details of all components that have been installed and removed.
• Assists users and follows agreed procedures for further help or escalation.
• Contributes to the development of installation procedures and standards.

Release and Deployment

• Uses approved tools and techniques for specific deployment activities.
• Administers the recording of activities, logging of results and documents technical activities undertaken.

Additional Duties for this Post:

• Supports the installation, operation, management and maintenance of assigned Community of Interest (COI)/Functional Area Services (FAS), Databases and other Applications;
• Contributes to the planning and implementation of maintenance and installation work, including building and management of systems and components in virtualised computing environments;
• Responsible for effective System Administration of NATO Community of Interest Command and Control (C2) systems, including Joint Tactical Chat (JChat), NATO Command Operational Picture (NCOP) and associated C2 systems such as the Land, Maritime or Air Command and Control Information Systems (LC2IS / MCCIS /AIRC2IS), and other NATO-Off-The-Shelf (NOTS) applications;
• Provides Application Management support to the software applications and tools which are used by the customer in the AoR and defined in Service Level Agreements (SLAs);
• Documents design and configuration of assigned applications and the required operating procedures;
• Develops installation procedures and standards for hardware components of assigned systems;
• Implements procedures, tools and techniques for monitoring and managing the performance of applications and provides reports, as required;
• Responds to user requests for assistance and takes appropriate action to solve Community of Interest (COI)/Functional Area Services (FAS), Database and Application problems occurring in the CSU's AoR;
• Maintains and monitors database systems and support tools;
• Advises and supports day-to-day operation, control and monitoring of mission dedicated systems;
• Initiates and maintains liaison with other CSUs, Service Lines and other technical organizations;
• Investigate and proposes long term solutions to equipment and configuration problems;
• Performs other duties as may be required.

Required Qualifications:

Skill, Knowledge & Experience:

• Active SECRET security clearance
• Higher vocational training in a relevant discipline with 3 years post-related experience. Or a secondary educational qualification with 5 years post-related experience.
• At least 3 years practical experience of implementation and maintenance of ICT end systems within a large organization.
• Good experience configuring hardware and software.
• Good understanding of ICT systems and the ability to work independently to solve problems.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting technical issues and providing technical support to end-users.

Education, Experience and Training (Desirable):

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at a nationally recognized/certified University in a technical subject with substantial Information Technology (IT) content;
• Knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint Portal administration and troubleshooting;
• Knowledge of applications used to support service delivery such as system monitoring, event management, and performance analysis;
• Experience administering Functional Area Services such as JCHAT, JOCWATCH, ICC, JTS/FAST, LOGFAS, NCOP, TOPFAS, SEW, COREGIS, etc., as well as providing L1 support to a medium/big size community of users.
• Good experience configuring hardware and software.
• Good understanding of ICT systems and the ability to work independently to solve problems.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting technical issues and providing technical support to end-users.
• Prior experience and a good knowledge of working with bespoke applications, NATO or national Community-of-Interest (CoI) services within an engineering environment;
• Current knowledge of advances in IS technologies and Service Management;
• Experience in System Administration of both Windows and Linux Server Operating Systems.
• Broad and sound technical knowledge and experience in distributed Information Systems as they are applied to modern Command and Control Information Systems (C2IS);
• Experience with MS SQL DB, other database packages, database queries and scripting;
• Experience in and a good working knowledge of Relational Databases management including backups, archiving and replication.
• Experience in Service Operation in an Enterprise Service Delivery environment including practical use of service management tools (e.g. ITSM);
• Prior experience working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements;
• ITIL Foundation Certificate

DEFTEC offers a comprehensive whole-life benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, holiday, paid time off, 401K with a match, life insurance, short/long-term disability, and educational reimbursement. The DEFTEC team comprises professionals who make a difference daily in crucial national security missions. Our leadership knows that this happens by employing a diverse team that is well cared for. Our top priority is our employees, making DEFTEC an ideal workplace.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Please get in touch with HR@deftec.com if you require reasonable accommodations.

DEFTEC is a Drug-Free Workplace where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.

DEFTEC Corp is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, religious creed, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, age, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, denial of family and medical care leave, arrest record and/or any other characteristic(s) protected by federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, training, compensation, benefits