• Position Posted: February 5, 2025
  • Senior System Administrator
  • Australian Signals Directorate, Department of Defence
  • ACT, QLD, VIC, WA
  • Number of Positions: Multiple

Reference:1629
Job Description:Senior System Administrator
Australian CitizenshipRequired
Security Clearance Level Required:NV1
Length of Contract:up to 18 months Estimated start date Tuesday, 01 July 2025
Contract Extension Options:2 x 12 months

ASD is seeking candidates who hold active NV1, NV2 or TSPV security clearances.  

This RFQ is agency wide, requirements depend on the different teams, however, an example of tools and technologies used are Splunk, various virtualisation technologies, Cisco, Juniper platforms, Linux, Python, Puppet, Ansible among others

ASD requires multiple EL1 equivalent System Administrators to fill positions across the organisation. A merit pool will be created for future positions that may arise.

Suitable candidates will be required to complete ASD’s Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA). This will be required either prior to commencing or within 12 months of commencement, as required by the assigned work area. ASD will allocate successful candidates to work areas based on operational needs.

Further information on the OSA is available at: https://www.asd.gov.au/careers/how-apply/candidate-information

Job Description:

ASD expects the candidates will be able to lead and manage system administrative support activities in a key capability domain, and be able to contribute in a complex business environment, which is in an emerging domain and operates at a rapid pace.

Job Duties and Responsibilities may include:

  • Lead and manage installation, configuration and maintenance of multiple systems.
  • Use of automation tools for development of, and continuous configuration management of system builds.
  • Manage and provide advice for ongoing hardware and operating system support.
  • Provide guidance and uplift capability of other team members. Work as a member of an integrated team and effectively prioritise, allocate tasks, participate in and contribute to design reviews, stakeholder meetings and agile processes.
  • Work with system administrators and software developers to continuously improve processes and procedures.
  • Navigate a complex business environment with only limited direction and in doing so, be prepared to approach a wide variety of engaged stakeholders.
  • Communicate with diverse stakeholder groups in technical and business process terms.
  • Write documentation in accordance with ASD policies and procedures.

Technical skills

• Holds a Degree in Computer Science or related field. • Proficient in operating systems, networking, database management, and security protocols. • Proficient in installing, repairing, and maintaining network systems. • Proficient in programming languages.

About the organisation

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is a statutory agency in the Defence portfolio that defends Australia against global threats and advances our national interests through the provision of foreign signals intelligence, cyber security and offensive cyber operations as directed by the Australian Government.

Essential criteria

1. ITOP 4 – IT infrastructure: Level 4 (SFIA) Provides technical expertise to enable the correct application of operational procedures. Contributes to the planning and implementation of infrastructure maintenance and updates. Implements agreed infrastructure changes and maintenance routines. Uses infrastructure management tools to determine load and performance statistics. Configures tools and/or creates scripts to automate the provisioning, testing and deployment of new and changed infrastructure. Maintains operational procedures and checks that they are executed following agreed standards. Investigates and enables the resolution of operational issues. Provides reports and proposals for improvement, to specialists, users and managers.

2. DESN 5 – Systems design: Level 5 (SFIA) Designs large or complex systems and undertakes impact analysis on major design options and trade-offs. Ensures that the system design balances functional and non-functional requirements. Reviews systems designs and ensures that appropriate methods, tools and techniques are applied effectively. Makes recommendations and assesses and manages associated risks. Adopts and adapts system design methods, tools and techniques. Contributes to development of system design policies, standards and selection of architecture components.

3. HSIN 4 – Systems installation and removal: Level 4 (SFIA) Undertakes or supervises complex installations and de-installations of systems or components, including handover to the client. Develops procedures and standards for installation and handover to maintain and improve the installation service. Schedules installation work around client priorities and resource availability. Ensures adherence to established safety and quality procedures.

4. SYSP 5 – System software: Level 5 (SFIA) Ensures that system software is provisioned and configured to facilitate the achievement of service objectives. Evaluates new system software and recommends adoption if appropriate. Plans the provisioning and testing of new versions of system software. Investigates and coordinates the resolution of potential and actual service problems. Ensures that operational procedures and diagnostics for system software are current, accessible and well understood.

5. SINT 4 – Systems integration and build: Level 4 (SFIA) Provides technical expertise to enable the configuration of system components and equipment for systems testing. Collaborates with technical teams to develop and agree system integration plans and report on progress. Defines complex/new integration builds. Ensures that integration test environments are correctly configured. Designs, performs and reports results of tests of the integration build. Identifies and documents system integration components for recording in the configuration management system. Recommends and implements improvements to processes and tools.

Desirable criteria

1. Our ideal candidates will bring the following attributes: • Strong written and verbal communication skills; • Desire to be accountable for their actions; • Strong stakeholder management skills; • Demonstrate leadership behaviours; • Willing to challenge the traditional ways of doing business; • Thrive in dynamic environments and comfortable with ambiguity; • Outcome-focused mindset; and • Adaptability, resilience, flexibility and teamwork, including regionally dispersed teams, if applicable. Please provide a brief explanation of your experience covering these attributes. 

Working arrangements will be at the discretion of the assigned work area, subject to operational need. Due to the nature of ASD’s operations, not all work areas can accommodate work from home. Most roles are based in Canberra. However, ASD may be able to accommodate candidates in the Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth facilities.


Full response will be required by:5 March

We welcome applications from all sections of the community.


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