Senior Systems Engineer Bluestaq Australia

About Bluestaq
At Bluestaq, we're not just another tech company-we're a mission-driven team of innovators, problem-solvers, and trailblazers. Whether supporting space exploration, defense systems, global alliances, government initiatives, healthcare advancements, or commercial breakthroughs, our work spans industries that shape the future. Founded in 2018, Bluestaq has quickly become a leader in enterprise software and secure data management. Our name? A nod to our roots-"blue" (military shorthand for the good guys) and "staq" (as in software stack).

Recognized Excellence
We don't just talk about excellence-we deliver it. Bluestaq has earned national recognition as one of Inc. Magazine's Fastest-Growing Private Companies and is consistently ranked among Colorado's Best Workplaces. Whether we're supporting national security, enabling healthcare advancements, or driving commercial innovation, we're committed to building data management solutions that matter.

Join the Mission
Ready to push boundaries with tech that transforms industries? At Bluestaq, we engineer secure, scalable data ecosystems for space, defense, healthcare, and beyond. Join us to tackle mission-critical challenges, protect the world's most valuable data, and build what's next. Let's make extraordinary possible - together.

Principal System Administrator – Bluestaq Australia 
Location - Initially hybrid arrangement, then on-premises Brisbane or Canberra
Role Type - Full-Time or Contract

Our purpose is to deliver mission critical technology solutions tailored for the Australian defence, government and national security sectors. We specialise in high security data systems, designed to meet Australia's evolving strategic and operational demands. If you are ready to turn your expertise into real world results, welcome to Bluestaq Australia. This is your opportunity to join a young but fast growing company in its formative years in Australia, building on our successful foundations in the United States. 

About the Role
The Principal System Administrator will lead the design, deployment and maintenance of secure data management platform in defence environments. This role encompasses full system lifecycle management, user support and technical leadership to ensure secure, compliant and high performing IT operations in defence aligned environments. 

Reporting directly to the President Bluestaq Australia, you will: 

• Architect and maintain a resilient Linux server environment 


• Administer Active Directory, Group Policy, identity and access management (IAM) and network configurations 


• Configure and manage firewalls, routers and switches, including VLANs, DNS and IAM integration 


• Lead ongoing system maintenance, software installation, configuration, integrated testing and troubleshooting 


• Assist end users by addressing technical inquiries and resolving access or configuration issues 


• Oversee patch management, configuration compliance, change control and vulnerability mitigation 


• Implement system hardening in alignment with the ASD Essential Eight and conduct regular audits 


• Liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders; provide technical updates and recommendations to leadership 


• Maintain production Kubernetes (K8s) clusters across multiple on-premises environments, encompassing tasks such as deployment, scaling, monitoring (using tools like Prometheus/Grafana), and troubleshooting for containerised applications. 

About You 
We're looking for an experienced IT professional passionate about secure systems in defence contexts. You'll thrive here if you enjoy technical leadership, problem solving, and contributing to meaningful missions.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in system administration or IT infrastructure (we value depth and quality of experience) 


• Proven expertise in Active Directory and Linux system administration


• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills


• Willingness to travel within Australia to customer and partner locations, including secure government or defence sites, and occasional travel to Bluestaq offices in the United States for collaboration or project work. 


• You must also be an Australian citizen, eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government NV2 security clearance. 

Highly Regarded Skills and Experience:

• Relevant qualifications or equivalent hands-on experience


• Networking experience (e.g., CCNA/CCNP level or practical equivalents in firewalls, routing, VLANs)


• Experience with Kubernetes in on-premises environments


• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python) 


• Leadership or mentoring in technical teams (or demonstrated potential to grow into this)


• Familiarity with ASD Essential Eight or defence compliance

Your Benefits 

• Attractive salary based on qualifications, experience and achievements 


• Superannuation  


• Annual performance bonus 


• Private health cover allowance 


• Health/wellness allowance 


• Professional subscription 


• Salary sacrifice and salary packaging options 


• Additional 1 week of annual leave per year = 5 weeks per year 


• Other leave in accordance with the National Employment Standards and state long service leave legislation 

Join the Mission
If you're ready to engineer secure, sovereign capable technology, Bluestaq Australia offers you the chance to lead and innovate at the forefront of national defence and critical infrastructure. Together, we’ll tackle high stakes challenges, protect Australia's most vital data and build what’s next, securely, on-premises and at scale. 

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse candidates.