The National Solar Observatory is seeking a Systems Administrator/Cybersecurity Engineer to strengthen and support our IT infrastructure, protect critical systems from cyber threats, and lead technical projects that enhance security, reliability, and user experience across the organization. This is a role with dual responsibilities, outlined below.
The Cybersecurity Engineer role is responsible for tasks including process building and documentation of activities related to this area. The Cybersecurity Engineer will operate independently and as part of a team to ensure software, hardware, and related components are protected from cyber-attacks. Responsibilities will include developing security processes, analyzing current systems for vulnerabilities, and handling any and all security incidents in an efficient and effective manner. Candidates should have strong IT skills an understanding of cyber hacker methodology. Further responsibilities include using their skills to detect insecure features and malicious activities within our networks and infrastructure. They will create and implement customized security assessments for asset risk, policy compliance as well as conduct vulnerability assessment.
The Systems Administrator role will be part of the NSO Information Technology team supporting all facilities within the Observatory. This position will be responsible for executing high-scale and high visibility projects promoting the posture of the IT infrastructure and its users, requiring frequent interaction with leadership and upper management. Responsibilities include IT service design (eg. documentation management solution), administration of server operating systems, network administration, system hardware, virtual machine environment, facility systems (VOIP, AV, etc.), troubleshooting computer system issues and diagnosing system performance. This position will also serve NSO staff seeking technical assistance and resolve technical problems with their client endpoint systems including MacOS, Linux and Windows.
Cybersecurity Engineer
- Work with the Head of Information Technology in the development and implementation of effective and reasonable policies and practices to secure NSO information assets.
- Safeguards information system assets by identifying and solving potential security problems through vulnerability scanning and system patching
- Recognizes problems by identifying abnormalities, reporting issues, and actual security problems.
- Plan, implement, manage, monitor, and upgrade security measures for the protection of the organization's data, systems, and networks
- Respond to all system and network security breaches following the NSO Cybersecurity Incident Response policy
- Create an education and awareness program to educate all NSO personnel on security issues, NSO security policies, and security best practices
- Work with the Head of Information Technology on the selection of a baseline control set, and the prioritization and implementation of security controls
- Select and drive deployment of additional and alternate controls targeted at the NSO’s specialized needs
- Lead the development and upkeep of documentation on the NSOs information assets
- Develop a classification structure for the NSO’s information assets
- Work with the Head of Information Technology to establish annual and long-range security goals, define security strategies, metrics, reporting mechanisms and program services; and create a roadmap for program improvements
- Engage in professional development to maintain continual growth in professional skills and knowledge essential to the position
Systems Administrator
- Manage the NSO IT server infrastructure, including:
- Virtual Machine host and guest servers
- VMware and Linux KVM virtual machine management
- DNS Updates, DHCP, LDAP and NTP management
- LDAP and Windows Active Directory administration
- Storage Systems and Data Backup management
- Communicate with project managers, system managers and the user community regarding computer systems support requirements and solutions
- Analyze and evaluate computer systems performance, diagnoses problems, evaluates hardware and operating system function and performance, as required
- Perform preventative (patching, updates) and emergency systems maintenance (eg. failed desktop/server)
- Design, develop, and maintain network, system, infrastructure and user documentation, system procedures, and operator instructions
- Administer, install and troubleshoot a variety of end-user operating systems
- Perform systems maintenance tasks, such as system back-up, recovery and file maintenance
- Troubleshoot software including email clients, Office software, network monitoring tools and system performance tools
- Provide technical support to users by researching and answering questions, troubleshooting problems, and maintaining workstation and LAN performance
- Track information, gathers quotes, and elevate purchases for DKIST hardware and software
- 4+ years of prior relevant experience
- Three or more years with hands-on experience in: Multiple OS platforms with strong emphasis on Linux (CentOS, Red Hat, Ubuntu), Mac OS X, and Windows systems
- Three or more years with demonstrated knowledge of hardware and software troubleshooting abilities
- Two or more years of enterprise network administration experience
- Experience with and understanding of hardware RAID
- Strong analytical ability with skills in problem avoidance and diagnosis
- Utilize excellent customer service skills and exceed customers’ expectations
- Disciplined approach to work activities, ability to define and implement procedures
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to function in a distributed and dynamic work environment, work independently and remotely
- Attention to details and commitment to achieving high quality results
- Basic level knowledge of data communications networking, both wired and wireless
- Commitment to stay abreast of current-market hardware and software products used in Information Technology
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent education or work experience
- Hands-on experience analyzing high volumes of logs, network data (e.g. Netflow, FPC), and other attack artifacts in support of incident investigations
- Experience with vulnerability scanning solutions
- Knowledge of operations of at least one enterprise SIEM platform (e.g. Nitro/McAfee Enterprise Security Manager, ArcSight, QRadar, LogLogic, Splunk)
- Telecommunications and videoconferencing systems
- Web servers and sites
- Astronomy, physics applications/computing
- Working in a research environment that relies extensively on Open Source solutions
- Participating in hardware cost projections and writing purchase requests
- Primarily office-based with extended computer use
- Occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs)
- Periodic work at high-elevation observatory site (~10,000 ft)
- Frequent communication and collaboration with team members
- Ability to work at 10,000’ elevation, sometimes during inclement weather, is required.
- There will be occasional working at height utilizing fall protection equipment, ladders and scaffolding.
- Regular travel between Boulder, CO and Maui, HI. Occasional domestic and international travel will be necessary.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Salary Range: $97,000 - $121,000 per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.
AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources (https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/benefits-by-location/)
Apply by September 14, 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.
Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here (https://aurahr.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/34).
Why NSO?
At the National Solar Observatory, you’ll join a mission-driven community working at the frontier of solar science. Our teams are dedicated to understanding the Sun in ways that protect technology, enhance scientific discovery, and inspire global audiences. NSO offers a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where curiosity is encouraged, varied perspectives are valued, and employees can make a tangible impact on science and society. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow your career, lead innovative outreach programs, and help shape the national conversation around solar physics and space weather.
About NSO and AURA
The National Solar Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), a consortium of leading universities and research institutions committed to advancing astronomical discovery. AURA manages world-class observatories for the National Science Foundation, providing scientific leadership, operational excellence, and a collaborative environment that supports groundbreaking research. As part of AURA, NSO benefits from shared resources and a community dedicated to innovation, transparency, and public service, ensuring its work has broad and lasting impact.
