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Job ID: 5377B
Date Posted: January 27, 2026
Help Shape the Future of Space Missions
At Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), we don't just operate systems-we expand what space-based technologies and their supporting infrastructure can achieve. For nearly seven decades, SDL has delivered mission-critical solutions that protect national security and advance scientific discovery.
Our work spans satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems, data processing, and autonomous systems, supporting some of the most important missions for the Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense. We are proud of our legacy-and even more excited about what's next.
If you enjoy tackling complex challenges, leading technical innovation, and contributing to next-generation space missions, we invite you to join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and mission-focused professionals.
The Opportunity
The SDL Strategic Military Space Division is seeking an experienced Senior Cloud Administrator to support the day-to-day reliability, security, and availability of cloud computing environments that enable mission-critical space and ground systems.
This role is ideal for a technical professional who thrives in operational environments where uptime, compliance, and disciplined execution matter. You will ensure cloud environments remain stable, secure, and cost-effective while working closely with cloud architects, engineers, cybersecurity teams, and program stakeholders to support evolving mission needs.
You will collaborate with customer Program Offices, internal engineering divisions, FFRDCs/UARCs, SETA personnel, and industry partners to sustain trusted cloud and information systems across the full system lifecycle.
The Strategic & Military Space Division delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems that support the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Our division is a key component of national security, providing technological solutions and expert mission support. Become part of a team dedicated to making a tangible contribution to our nation's defense capabilities.
This is a non-remote position located in North Logan, Utah.
What You'll Do
- Administer and maintain secure, mission-critical cloud environments across multiple accounts and environments
- Provision and manage cloud accounts, resources, and environments in accordance with established architectures and security requirements
- Perform daily system administration activities to ensure availability, reliability, and performance
- Support cloud networking administration, including routing, connectivity, and access controls
- Implement and maintain security hardening, compliance controls, and configuration baselines
- Implement, manage, and maintain a centralized service logging and monitoring platform
- Monitor system health, logs, and alerts; respond to incidents and support root-cause analysis
- Manage the container orchestration platform including performing upgrades, applying security patches, and ensuring high availability
- Manage backup, restore, and disaster recovery capabilities to ensure mission continuity
- Track resource utilization and support cost optimization efforts
- Maintain accurate documentation, configuration records, and operational procedures
- Support integration, testing, and deployment activities alongside engineering teams
- Collaborate across disciplines to ensure cloud operations align with program and mission objectives
Required Qualifications
- U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
- Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of experience, master's with 8+ years, or PhD with 4+ years (engineering or science discipline)
- Hands-on experience administering cloud environments using services such as VPC, EC2, S3, EBS, EKS, Lambda, and RDS (or equivalent)
- Experience deploying and managing cloud infrastructure using CloudFormation, Terraform, Boto, or Azure Resource Manager
- Experience supporting migrations from on-premises infrastructure to cloud environments
- Strong understanding of networking fundamentals and protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, TLS, VPNs, load balancing, firewalls)
- Experience using monitoring, logging, and alerting tools to support system health and incident response
- AWS Solutions Architect - Associate certification required (Professional preferred); equivalent Azure certifications accepted
- Demonstrated ability to manage operational priorities and support mission-critical systems
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to interact effectively with all levels of personnel including executive leadership, senior management, and customers.
- High attention to detail with a disciplined, reliability-focused mindset
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in Agile or iterative development environments
- Experience supporting national security, Air Force, or space-domain ground systems
- Familiarity with Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC)
- Knowledge of satellite communications protocols and standards
- Experience applying cybersecurity best practices in secure or regulated environments
- Familiarity with satellite ground station equipment, including antennas and RF systems
- Experience supporting cloud platforms integrated with external or legacy ground systems
*Salary Range
- $107,000 - $170,000
- Salary commensurate based on education and relevant experience
This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate's preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.
Why Join SDL?
*SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.
SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.
At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.
The application window for this position is expected to remain open for approximately 14 days; however, it may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly. For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.
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Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
Jan 27, 2026