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Principal Windows Systems Administrator - TS/SCI

Northrop Grumman

Rolling Meadows, ILFull-time$99–148K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$99–148K/yr
Location
Rolling Meadows, IL
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

IAT Level II Certification Or HigherTS/SCI clearance

Job overview

Northrop Grumman seeks a Principal Computer Systems Analyst (Windows Systems Administrator) to support information system lifecycle activities and classified government contracts. The role is full-time and on-site in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, supporting multiple networks and multi-user systems. The administrator maintains system reliability, security, backups, and compliance, and works across technical disciplines to resolve issues. A current Top Secret/SCI clearance and the specified education-and-experience path are required.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Windows DomainsActive DirectoryGroup PolicyPolicies and PermissionsWindows Server AdministrationDNSDHCPLDAPInformation System Security EnvironmentsNetworkingSystem ImagingVirtualizationBackup SolutionsSAN StorageEnvironmental Monitoring ToolsScriptingCross-Platform Operating SystemsAssessment and Authorization

Qualifications

Master's+3, Bachelor's+5, Associate's+7 or High School+9 YearsIAT Level II Certification or HigherTop Secret/SCI ClearanceSpecial Access Program EligibilityCounter Intelligence PolygraphActive Top Secret/SCI Clearance Plus CI PolygraphSecurity+ CE Certification

Benefits

Medical Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off

Full job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and secure technological solutions to enable strategic objectives. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we will support yours by expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you will have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

The Northrop Grumman CIDO Classified Solutions team is seeking a Principal Computer Systems Analyst (Windows Systems Administrator) to support information system lifecycle activities. The selected candidate will be required to work on-site, full-time at our Rolling Meadows, IL location.

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

  • Perform as a Principal Computer Systems Analyst in support of classified government contracts.

  • Exhibits good communication skills, an energetic approach, and patience with customers.

  • Establishes and maintains customer satisfaction according to defined objectives while adhering to established policies.

  • Report task statuses as required for all recurring and non-recurring efforts in written and oral format.

  • Able to support multiple networks, ensuring necessary Windows administration tasks are completed; coordinating with others as necessary, working under minimal direction.

  • Maintain operations of multi-user computer systems working with system engineers, PC desktop technicians, networking engineers, project managers, end users, and IT/Cyber management.

  • Assist with review of internal customer requirements, making recommendations for hardware, software, system component purchases.

  • Maintain and provide reliability of systems through installation, upgrading/patching, monitoring, problem resolution, and configuration management.

  • Ensure system compliance via Group Policy or other technologies.

  • Provide and maintain backup and recovery services; manage file systems and disk space; manage virus protection on a routine basis.

  • Test new releases of products to ensure compatibility and minimize user impact.

  • Develop and maintain technical documentation of system processes and procedures.

  • Adhere to strict Information Systems security guidelines in all cases, supporting Computer Security with inputs to documentation, as required.

  • Maintain security audit and logging information on all classified networked and standalone computers as directed by the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).

  • Work across disciplines to isolate issues between software, firmware, and hardware, between software and operating systems, between networks and applications, and between one-time events and recurrent systematic problems.

  • Support environments by means of ticketing requirements systems (ServiceNow, JIRA, etc.)

  • Raises issues that require senior level attention or involvement.

  • Lifts and moves equipment up to 50 pounds.

  • Work after hours, and weekends, as needed.

Note: Due to the classified nature of the work being performed, this position does not offer any virtual or telecommute working options. Applicants are encouraged to apply, only if they are willing to work on-site .

Basic Qualifications:

  • Master's degree with 3 Years of IT experience; OR a Bachelor's degree with 5 Years of IT experience; OR an Associate's degree with 7 Years of IT experience; OR a High School Diploma / GED with 9 Years of IT experience is required

  • Experience with Windows domains, including but not limited to Active Directory, GPOs, Policies, and permissions

  • Candidates must meet the U.S. Government 8140 requirements (8570 equivalent) for a Windows Systems Administrator – IAT level II certification or higher (Examples: Security+ CE, CND, CCNA Security, SSCP, GICSP, GSEC, CCISO)

  • Candidates must have a current U.S. Government Top Secret/SCI level security clearance (at a minimum), to include a closed investigation date completed within the last 6 years OR must be enrolled in the U.S. Government Continuous Evaluation (CE) Program to be considered

  • Candidates must have the ability to obtain, and maintain, access to Special Access Programs as a condition of continued employment

  • Candidates must have the ability to obtain, and maintain, a Counter Intelligence Polygraph as a condition of continued employment

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active Top Secret/SCI plus CI-Polygraph

  • Security+ CE certification

  • Windows Server Administration to include, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, LDAP and other services

  • Experience operating under and managing systems within NISPOM Chapter 8, DCID 6/3-ICD 503, RMF, STIG, JAFAN, or JSIG information system environments

  • Knowledge of networking, including subnets, routing, VLANs and VTCs

  • Create, maintain, and deploy system images in a LAN and up to an enterprise environment

  • Current working virtualization experience

  • Knowledge of Backup solutions (Cohesity, Veritas, etc) and SAN storage systems

  • Experience with environmental monitoring tools (HBSS/Solar Winds/Splunk)

  • Experience in scripting

  • Operating System Cross-platform awareness (i.e. two or more: Windows, Linux, Solaris, OSX, UNIX, etc.)

  • Experience with Assessment & Authorization processes

We offer flexible work arrangements, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare, a 9/80 work schedule, and a great 401k matching program. Come join us!

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Job Category: Information Technology

How this job compares

Set against the 2,470 open Systems Administrator jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 6, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$99–148K/yr
  • Illinois median$86–130K/yr24 salary ranges
  • US median$95–150K/yr1,507 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $124K, is 12% above the Illinois median midpoint ($110K) — in the top quarter of Systems Administrator salary ranges in Illinois.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 35 open Systems Administrator jobs in Illinois and 2,470 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Illinois
Experience
This posting asks for at least 3 years of experience; Systems Administrator postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (2,066 postings).
Education
362 of the 2,470 open Systems Administrator jobs (15%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 6, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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