*** This is a Conditional Job Post description in support of a sources sought notification in sam.gov where the client is seeking Keysight Ixia hardware upgrade services over a multiple year period. We expect the solicitation TBD 2026. We encourage all candidates to review our company goals and mission to submit a resume if our values and your experience align to this opportunity. ***
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Keysight IXIA Hardware System Administrator — Job Description
Summary
Hands-on Systems Administrator responsible for installation, configuration, maintenance, and lifecycle management of Keysight Ixia test and visibility platforms that support lab validation, monitoring, and security test workflows.
Key responsibilities:
- Platform administration: Install, configure, and harden Keysight Ixia systems and host platforms (chassis and rack servers) including XGS2, XGS12, AresONE modules, WaveBlades, and related server appliances.
- Visibility infrastructure: Deploy and maintain network packet brokers (e.g., Vision 400, E10s modules), copper and fiber taps, port aggregators (TPA2-CU3; Copper Port Aggregator), and bypass switch integrations.
- Firmware and software lifecycle: Schedule and perform firmware, IxOS/software, and OS updates; manage patching, module hot-swap procedures, and vendor RMAs while following change-control.
- Storage, backups, and configuration management: Maintain configuration backups, image repositories, version control for test profiles, and restore procedures for rapid recovery.
- Monitoring and automation: Implement monitoring (health, capacity, licensing) for chassis, modules, and NPBs; develop automation and scripts (PowerShell/Python/Bash) for deployments, test orchestration, and log collection.
- Security and access control: Enforce account, role-based access, and network segmentation best practices for lab and test infrastructure; coordinate vulnerability scans and remediate findings with engineering.
- Operational support: Provide first- and second-line support for lab users and engineering teams: capacity planning, resource allocation, scheduled maintenance windows, and on-call rotations.
- Documentation and runbooks: Maintain runbooks, SOPs, rack/cable diagrams, inventory, and change logs; produce post-maintenance and incident reports for stakeholders.
Required qualifications:
– Experience: 4+ years administering enterprise or lab systems with hands-on responsibility for rack-mounted/network test appliances.
– Technical knowledge: Familiarity with Keysight Ixia hardware concepts (chassis, test modules, NPBs, taps) or equivalent network test/visibility products.
– Networking fundamentals: Strong understanding of Ethernet (10GE–800GE+), copper and fiber physical layers, VLANs, routing basics, and packet capture fundamentals.
– Systems skills: Proficiency with Linux and Windows server administration, storage management, and image/patch management workflows.
– Troubleshooting: Proven ability to diagnose hardware, firmware, and connectivity issues and to coordinate vendor support effectively.
Preferred skills and certifications
– Test-suite exposure: Experience with BreakingPoint, ixVeriwave, WaveTest, or other Ixia test/security tools.
– Certifications: CCNA/CCNP, CompTIA Network+/Linux+/Microsoft MCSA, or vendor-specific Keysight training.
– Automation & scripting: Python, PowerShell, or Bash scripting for orchestration, logging, and report generation.
– Security ops: Familiarity with integration of visibility outputs into SIEM/monitoring toolchains and basic security operations concepts.
– Experience supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs or performing similar tasks in support of another federal or state agency.