**Description** The Capital Area Division (CAD) Applied Research Associates, Inc. has an outstanding opportunity for an exceptional **Senior IT Specialist** to support on-going research and development efforts. Are you an IT virtuoso with a passion for superior network functioning? Join us as a Senior IT Specialist and become a key player in maintaining and enhancing the IT infrastructure that supports a high-performance team of scientists and engineers. Your work will ensure our systems run smoothly, securely, and efficiently, supporting our teams and clients to deliver outstanding results. This role combines technical problem-solving, proactive system management, and support for ongoing technology improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will: + **System Administration:** Manage and optimize project-wide IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and data systems. Support ATO production cycle. + **Network Management:** Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot network connections, firewalls, and VPNs to ensure stable and secure connectivity. + **Technical Support:** Provide hands-on support to project staff by troubleshooting hardware, software, and connectivity issues. + **Security Management** : Implement and maintain security best practices to protect against cyber threats, ensuring data integrity and compliance with relevant policies. + **Software Management:** Install, update, and maintain applications and system software, collaborating with relevant teams to streamline tools and processes. + **Automation & Optimization:** Develop and deploy automation scripts to streamline repetitive tasks, optimize system performance, and reduce downtime. + **Documentation & Training:** Create and maintain documentation on systems, processes, and troubleshooting procedures, and assist in training team members on IT protocols and new technologies. **Required Qualifications:** + Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field + 5+ years in IT roles, including systems administration, network management, or tech support + Proficiency with operating systems (Windows, Linux) + Experience with network configurations, firewalls, and VPNs + Familiarity with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure) and virtualization technologies + Strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles and best practices + Scripting skills in PowerShell, Python, or similar for process automation + Ability to clearly express in writing technical analysis results + TS clearance **Desired Qualifications:** + 5+ years of experience in solving DoD IT problems + TS clearance with eligibility for SCI based on single-scope background investigation + Military or Intel-community defense-related experience of IT Systems **COMPANY INFORMATION:** Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com . Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the **Senior IT Specialist** position. **Qualifications** **Behaviors** **Required** + **Thought Provoking:** Capable of making others think deeply on a subject + **Team Player:** Works well as a member of a group + **Innovative:** Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking + **Functional Expert:** Considered a thought leader on a subject + **Enthusiastic:** Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest + **Detail Oriented:** Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well + **Dedicated:** Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity **Motivations** **Required** + **Self-Starter:** Inspired to perform without outside help + **Growth Opportunities:** Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility + **Goal Completion:** Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks + **Entrepreneurial Spirit:** Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business **Education** **Required** + Bachelors or better in Computer Science **Experience** **Required** + 5-7 years: Relevant work experience Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)