Sr. Systems Administrator

Valspec—a global provider of system validation and lifecycle services—provides commissioning and qualification of computerized systems for clients in the Life Sciences industry. Established in 1999, Valspec’s mission is to provide a wide spectrum of services that help its clients meet their capital project and lifecycle maintenance goals.

Valspec’s projects are critical to the industry, and to the people who rely on its products. Many projects ensure that life-changing drugs are available to those who need them; others streamline production to meet demand at a lower cost, allowing for the discovery of new and innovative therapies.

Sr. Systems Administrator

 

Summary:

 

The Senior Systems Administrator for MES is the technical expert responsible for managing the entire IT infrastructure stack that supports 24/7 manufacturing operations—from the physical hardware (Cisco UCS) and virtualization layer (VMware) to core network services (AD) and application delivery (Citrix). A critical component of this role is the design, implementation, and management of backup and disaster recovery solutions to guarantee data integrity and minimize downtime in a highly regulated environment.

 

Responsibilities:

• Design and maintain enterprise backup and recovery systems to protect both physical and virtual servers supporting the MES environment.
• Update disaster recovery strategies to ensure critical systems and data can be restored within required recovery time and recovery point objectives.
• Enforce data integrity, retention, and audit requirements in alignment with GxP and regulatory standards.
• Build and support highly available virtual infrastructure using VMware and Cisco UCS to ensure performance, reliability, and scalability of MES platforms.
• Administer core Windows Server services, including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP, to maintain a secure and compliant manufacturing IT environment.
• Manage Citrix environments to deliver MES applications securely and efficiently to both plant-floor users and remote teams.
• Provide advanced infrastructure support for MES systems, resolving complex issues in collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
• Ensure all system changes follow regulatory and compliance requirements, while maintaining thorough documentation such as disaster recovery plans, backup configurations, and standard operating procedures.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in systems administration within a production/manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience supporting an MES (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell) is highly desirable.
• Advanced experience with enterprise backup platforms such as Veeam and Dell EMC Avamar, along with managing storage targets including SAN, NAS, and cloud-based systems across vendors like Tintri and HPE.
• In-depth expertise in VMware technologies (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter) and hands-on management of Cisco UCS infrastructure.
• Extensive knowledge of Windows Server environments, including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP administration.
• Strong proficiency in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and application virtualization to support secure and scalable access.
• Solid understanding of Cisco networking, including Layer 2/3 configurations, VLANs, wireless access points, and basic voice gateway troubleshooting.
• Highly analytical with strong problem-solving ability, clear and effective communicator, detail-oriented, proactive in ensuring system stability and data protection, and capable of leading projects and mentoring junior team members.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required.

If you are a dedicated professional with a passion for managing complex systems in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply. Join us in revolutionizing medicine and transforming lives.

 

Join Us:

 

Salary Range: $80 - $90 per hour for project-based employment (6 months+) for local candidates. This position is onsite 5 days per week. Rates may vary based on knowledge and experience. Apply now to be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in California and beyond.

Why Join Valspec?

At Valspec, we offer more than just a job — we provide a career experience rooted in a standout culture, collaborative environment, and a strong sense of ownership. As an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, every team member has a stake in our success, fostering a shared commitment to excellence and innovation.  We also offer a highly competitive benefits package, including:

• Premium medical coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement