Mac Systems Administrator

Pittsburgh, PA

Full time

2025314

About the role

The Mac Systems Administrator is responsible for managing, securing, and improving our macOS and Apple environment, with a focus on Jamf, automation, and device lifecycle management. You'll help build and maintain a reliable, secure platform that integrates with our broader IT infrastructure and supports the needs of researchers, developers, and other technical users.

We're looking for a curious, motivated problem-solver who takes ownership of their work and enjoys learning new technologies. You'll work independently and collaborate with IT teams and researchers to solve technical challenges, improve how we manage our systems, and keep our macOS environment secure and running smoothly.

What You'll Do

Systems Administration

• Install, maintain, and configure macOS systems to ensure a reliable and secure platform.

• Integrate and support macOS systems within a heterogeneous enterprise environment while supporting developer-focused technologies and workflows.

• Provide tier 3 support for IT Services technologies, collaborating with systems administrators and engineers to resolve issues.

• Lead projects on new services and deployments.

• Diagnose and resolve complex end-user hardware and software issues.

• Train, document, and provide consulting for applications and services provided.

Automation & Infrastructure as Code

• Use automation concepts and experience with scripting languages to streamline tasks and improve operational efficiency.

• Leverage Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), configuration management, and CI/CD practices.

• Manage configuration and deployment changes using Git-based workflows.

• Solve complex problems and drive automation using modern DevOps practices.

Security & Governance

Implement and maintain macOS security controls, including system hardening, endpoint protection, encryption, vulnerability management, and configuration compliance.

• Ensure macOS systems comply with organizational security policies and applicable regulatory frameworks.

• Manage macOS identity and access controls, including integration with enterprise authentication.

Who You Are

You are committed to delivering a secure, reliable, and well-managed macOS environment. You take ownership of the platform throughout its lifecycle and are comfortable integrating macOS with enterprise technologies while supporting developers, researchers, and technical users.

You are a proactive problem-solver who values automation and operational efficiency. You work collaboratively across IT teams, communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, and understand the importance of making technology work for the people who depend on it.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Experience administering, configuring, deploying, and supporting macOS systems in an enterprise environment.

• Experience with Apple device management platforms such as Jamf Pro, Apple School Manager, or Microsoft Intune.

• Working knowledge of macOS security practices, including endpoint protection, encryption, system hardening, patch management, and vulnerability remediation.

• Experience integrating and supporting macOS systems in heterogeneous environments.

• Experience using scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or zsh to automate administrative tasks and improve efficiency.

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, including diagnosing complex hardware, software, authentication, and connectivity issues.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with IT teams, developers, researchers, and other technical users.

• Strong communication and documentation skills, with the ability to explain technical issues to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting macOS systems in development, research, or other technically demanding environments.

• Understanding of Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), configuration management, and automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, and APIs.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID and other Microsoft 365 technologies.

• Experience with cloud infrastructures like Azure and AWS

• Familiarity with Git-based workflows, CI/CD concepts, and configuration files using YAML and JSON.

• Understanding of security and compliance frameworks, including NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC.

Additional Requirements

• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and occasionally work evenings or weekends to support critical services and scheduled maintenance.

• Respond remotely to service outages within 30 minutes and, when necessary, report on-site to the local SEI facility within 60 minutes, barring extreme adverse conditions.

• Travel between SEI and CMU facilities as required, with occasional travel to other SEI locations, conferences, and off-site meetings.

Who we are :

The SEI helps advance software engineering principles and practices and serves as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Its core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software, defect-free, within budget and on time, every time.

Our benefits :

Our benefits philosophy encompasses three driving priorities: choice, control and well-being. Through Carnegie Mellon University, SEI offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits to help you live well, including comprehensive health insurance, tuition benefits, and a generous PTO and retirement savings policy to name a few.

To learn more, visit these resources :

• Why Carnegie Mellon (http://www.cmu.edu/jobs/why-cmu/index.html) — to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

• Benefits at a Glance (https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/benefits-at-a-glance/) — to get a listing of all employee benefits.

• Staff Member Benefits (https://www.cmu.edu/hr/benefits/staff.html) — to get detailed information about benefits for employees who are not faculty.

Why work here :

• Work with cutting edge technologies and experts to solve tough problems for the government and the nation.

• Get 8% monthly contribution for your retirement, without having to make a contribution yourself.

• Get tuition benefits to CMU for you and your dependent children.

• Enjoy a healthy work/life balance with a flexible work arrangement.

• Get access to university resources including campus fitness facilities, mindfulness programs, child care, free transportation on the Port Authority Transit System, etc.

• Enjoy annual professional development opportunities to attend conferences and training or obtain a certification.

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran . Read our Statement of Assurance (https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/statement-of-assurance.html) to learn more.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Systems Administration and Support

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon (http://www.cmu.edu/jobs/why-cmu/index.html) ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

• Click here (https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/benefits-at-a-glance/) to view a listing of employee benefits

• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .

• Statement of Assurance (https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/statement-of-assurance.html)

Always focused on the future, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances software as a strategic advantage for national security. We lead research and direct transition of software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence technologies at the intersection of academia, industry, and government. We serve the nation as a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and are based at Carnegie Mellon University, a global research university annually rated among the best for its programs in computer science and engineering.

Our people apply special knowledge and skills and are part of an elite research university. We perform research and apply our expertise every day to foresee problems and exploit opportunities in software engineering, AI engineering, and cybersecurity. Quality software that is secure will control the future. At CMU SEI, we are engineering that ever-greater software-fueled future.

Need Help?

For technical assistance, email [email protected] or call 412-268-5072.

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [email protected] or by phone at 412-268-3930.