Desired Job Title
System AdministratorData Protection System AdministratorVDI Systems AdministratorWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteHybridLocation: California, MD, US
Open to relocation: Yes
Amber Pickles
California,MD
Work Preference
Summary
United States Navy veteran with extensive experience in corporate system security. Specialize in technical security planning, testing, verification, and risk analysis following TCP/IP protocols. Highly skilled in defining, deploying, and monitoring risk management, compliance, and information security programs. Served as primary IT disaster recovery coordinator. Detail-oriented and professional System Administrator with a strong drive to successfully complete projects as part of a dynamic team. Recognized for exceptional troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities developed through experience with military and civilian systems.
Overview
4
4
Certifications
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
VDI Systems Adminstrator
Perrygo Consulting Group
04.2026 - Current
- Maintained a high level of customer satisfaction by providing rapid, accurate response to inquiries and concerns regarding system performance or functionality.
- Implemented system updates and patches to enhance security and functionality.
- Diagnosed and resolved hardware and software issues.
- Maintained flexible schedule and responded to after-hours emergencies.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Streamlined software deployment processes through Omnissa App Volume, boosting efficiency in system updates and application delivery.
Lead Systems Administrator
Perrygo Consulting Group
11.2025 - 03.2026
- Streamlined backup and recovery processes, enhancing data protection and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices for system maintenance and troubleshooting techniques.
- Conducted regular system audits to assess performance, identify issues, and implement corrective actions.
- Coordinated with other IT teams like network administrators or application support specialists to resolve cross-functional issues impacting system performance or availability.
- Collaborated with team members to develop comprehensive project plans for system upgrades, migrations, and installations, resulting in successful project completion within deadlines.
- Maintained flexible schedule and responded to after-hours and weekend emergencies.
Lead System Administrator
SMX
02.2021 - 11.2025
- Led a year-long effort to resolve MongoDB integration issues, performing root cause analysis, developing optimal solutions for the DBA team, and delivering detailed reports to leadership on vendor findings.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to support the decommissioning of the CORE environment, coordinating system shutdowns and data archiving.
- Implemented Rubrik brik expansion, strategically adding 4 briks to the eDMZ environment to support growing backup and recovery needs.
- Provided technical support during the NetApp A150 upgrade, contributing to a seamless transition with minimal service interruption.
- Executed Brocade switch upgrade to G730s, meticulously verifying device connectivity and functionality post-implementation to guarantee operational stability.
- Leveraged strong analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot intricate SAN port failures causing service disruptions, developing and deploying effective workarounds to restore critical services.
- Successfully upgraded the Rubrik cluster from 8.x to 9.x with vendor support. Was able to navigate and troubleshoot application errors with team and vendor to resolve performance issues that was occurring in the cluster.
- Conducted Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) hardening on team systems and appliances, ensuring compliance with Navy security standards and supporting the maintenance of the Authority to Operate (ATO).
- Tracked and reported storage availability in the NetApp, Netapp StorageGrid, and Rubrik clusters.
- Monitored and evaluated system performance and usage; identified potential issues and implemented solutions.
- Responsible for ensuring backup and recovery functions for the DNA Datacenter and AWS Cloud.
- Plans firmware upgrades and patches for Netapp cluster, Edge/DCX Switches and Rubrik clusters.
- Worked with Database Administrators to configure SQL Database Feature and Managed Volumes to provide effective and efficient backup and recovery for SQL and oracle databases.
- Worked with Team members, Database administrators and Unix Team to migrate 98 databases from 512 LUN block sizes to 4K to resolve database performance concerns.
- Provided effective troubleshooting, problem resolution, and user-communication for Rubrik and SAN applications.
- Monitored and evaluated team performance and provided feedback to members and leadership.
- Provide and created SOP process for Data Protection and SAN Team members.
- Provides feedback and encourage team members to pursue certifications and further education needs.
System Administrator
NAWCAD
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Set up user accounts, permissions and passwords and defined network policies and procedures.
- Orchestrated and oversaw upgrades to system hardware and software.
- Configured and updated Linux servers with latest releases and patches in support of the EMANE Project.
- Kept flexible schedule and resolved after-hours and weekend emergencies quickly and accurately.
- Supported the CSIL lab in obtaining a 3 year ATO. Preparing the artifacts for review, to include ACAS scans, STIG's and SCAP scans for each asset.
- Supported multiple projects such as the C130, E2C, EMANE and C2, which included upgrading and patching the systems and ensuring they are within DoD Standards.
Data Protection System Administrator
Smartonix Inc.
06.2019 - 09.2020
- Planned and implemented NetBackup Application upgrades to system hardware and software; resulted in 1 master server migration from Windows 2008 to Windows 2016, along with 3 Master Servers and 8 Media Servers from NetBackup 7.7.X to NetBackup 8.1.X.
- Provided effective troubleshooting, problem resolution, and user-communication for the NetBackup application.
- Created and modified policies within the NetBackup application; ensured policies were correctly configured per customer requirements.
- Analyzed complex project server issues and worked on Smartonix-critical applications.
- Worked with Database Administrators to resolve Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN) backup related problems.
- Tracked and reported storage availability in the Data Domain, NetApp, and the P9500.
System Administrator
Smartonix Inc.
04.2018 - 06.2020
- Utilized critical thinking techniques for applying monthly patches for development, testing, production, management, and data protection environments.
- Ensured infrastructure builds and decommissions were properly completed, labeled/wired correctly, and installed in the required rack.
- Verified all decommissioned systems' wiring was removed and equipment placed in either storage or Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO).
- Provided Tier II troubleshooting: processed and routed HEAT tickets within the datacenter.
- Loaded suitable backup tapes into the correct domain; updated the spreadsheets for support/ tracking purposes; transported backups to off-site storage.
- Accounted for daily maintenance, monitoring, and control center of datacenter servers.
- Ensured 24/7 service accessibility for Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Information System Technician/Analyst – IA/IS Security Officer
United States Navy
05.2017 - 04.2018
- Verified Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) scans were completed and reported.
- Analyzed system vulnerabilities using Vulnerability Remediation Asset Manager (VRAM); ensured systems compliance; remedied found issues; generated reports.
Information Systems Technician / Network Operation Center Supervisor
United States Navy
09.2015 - 05.2017
- Provided network communication support to US Naval Forces in the European Area.
- Assisted in the installation of FLTNOC 2.5; verified system testing of 160 assets.
- Served as System Matter Expert (SME) for Microsoft Exchange Server 2012 R2.
- Lead network operating center in troubleshooting, system maintenance checks, and providing feedback to Naval Ships on outstanding issues.
- Wrote and presented reports on help desk activities; documented all transactions and support interactions for addition to knowledge base.
- Provided basic end-user troubleshooting and desktop support on Windows Servers and TACLANE.
Information Systems Technician / Systems Administrator / NALCOMIS Administrator
United States Navy
08.2011 - 09.2015
- Served as System Administrator for Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS); updated systems and ensured systems complied with DoD Standards.
- Provided system-level troubleshooting support; maintained system user accounts and access privileges.
- Responsible for more than $150,000 in equipment and over 100 laptop assets, both unclassified and classified; installed, configured, and patched user hardware and software.
- Served as Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management (NALCOMIS) Administrator, scanned systems for vulnerabilities and applied patching to DoD Standards.
- Maintained user accounts and S.A.A.R-N user agreement forms/training records for 200 personnel.
- Developed and maintained strong client relationships to ensure delivery of exceptional customer service and problem resolution.
Education
Master of Science - Cloud Computing Architecture
University of Maryland Global Campus
College Park, MD 01.2020 - 06.2021
Bachelor of Science - Computer Networks And Cybersecurity
University of Maryland Global Campus
College Park, MD 08.2015 - 12.2019
Technical/Occupational Degree - Computer Networking
University of Maryland Global Campus
College Park, MD 08.2016 - 10.2019
Associate in General Studies -
University of Maryland Global Campus
College Park, MD 08.2015 - 12.2017
Skills
- ACTIVE (OPM, PPR) Secret Clearance - SCI- DCID (6/4), Granted 2017
- Netapp 8200, A200, A300, A400, A700, A150, StorageGrid
- Storage management
- Training and mentoring
- Appliance Hardware and Software upgrades
- Reporting and documentation
- Rubrik 8X & 9X
- Disaster recovery/Data backup and retrieval
- SAN Network administration
- Advanced troubleshooting
- System monitoring
- Omnissa VDI - 2603
Certification
- Certified - Windows Server 2016 – Networking (October 2018)
- A+ CompTIA Certification (January 2012) (CE July 2027)
- Security+ CompTIA Certification (July 2012) (CE July 2027)
- AWS Cloud Practitioner (September 2026)
Awards
Three-Time recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for outstanding leadership, management skills, dedication and performance
Timeline
VDI Systems Adminstrator
Perrygo Consulting Group
04.2026 - Current
Lead Systems Administrator
Perrygo Consulting Group
11.2025 - 03.2026
Lead System Administrator
SMX
02.2021 - 11.2025
System Administrator
NAWCAD
09.2020 - 02.2021
Master of Science - Cloud Computing Architecture
University of Maryland Global Campus
01.2020 - 06.2021
Data Protection System Administrator
Smartonix Inc.
06.2019 - 09.2020
System Administrator
Smartonix Inc.
04.2018 - 06.2020
Information System Technician/Analyst – IA/IS Security Officer
United States Navy
05.2017 - 04.2018
Technical/Occupational Degree - Computer Networking
University of Maryland Global Campus
08.2016 - 10.2019
Information Systems Technician / Network Operation Center Supervisor
United States Navy
09.2015 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Computer Networks And Cybersecurity
University of Maryland Global Campus
08.2015 - 12.2019
Associate in General Studies -
University of Maryland Global Campus
08.2015 - 12.2017
Information Systems Technician / Systems Administrator / NALCOMIS Administrator
United States Navy
08.2011 - 09.2015