Principal Applications Administrator

Richmond, VAFull-time$93.8k–$141kPosted Jul 30, 2026

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

Summary:


Leads implementation, operational and maintenance support for enterprise applications. Applies expertise and experience to anticipate and prevent problems that may occur during normal application operations. Maintains a stable systems environment with minimal downtime and maximum performance. Identifies new and innovative technology solutions to meet business needs. For the Labs this also includes support for analytical software and associated dedicated hardware as well as administrative support for server-based laboratory applications.

Day in the life:

  • Performs root cause analysis and develops solutions for systemic application escalated issues.
  • Troubleshoots and resolves application-specific support issues for complex, business critical applications. Assists/Leads during team recovery efforts with expert recommendations during systems disruptions to help ensure prompt resolution of service interruptions and full systems recovery.
  • Installs and maintains enterprise and/or laboratory application software (including dedicated hardware), application code deployments and configuration changes.
  • Leads development of Package Software modification requirements and Interface Design Specifications. Configure necessary tables in Packaged Software to support the specific business areas.
  • Develops work plans and tracks/reports status of assigned projects/tasks.
  • Reviews the governing regulations to ensure proper program support.
  • Trains/mentors staff.
  • Executes change requests and qualifications.
  • Liaises with internal and external customers to determine long-term issue resolution.
  • Manages and leads projects and project resources.

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 8+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience.

Years of experience refers to typical years of related experience needed to gain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. Years of experience are not to be used as the only determining factor in establishing the job class or making employment selection decisions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Expert understanding of server administration and architecture (Windows Server, Linux). Ex. usage of Linux editors, editing CRON, Microsoft IIS administration, server/batch scripting
  • Ability to interact with relational databases (primarily Oracle, some SQL Server) at an expert level
  • Advanced support knowledge of the applications/technology being supported
  • Support knowledge of desktop operating systems and desktop productivity applications (MS Office, MS Project, MS Visio, etc.)
  • Ability to diagnose problems, define/resolve/coordinate the implementation of solutions with other groups
  • Ability to troubleshoot and resolve a wide range of application problems, if necessary, working with our system development team, systems/network administration personnel, other departments at PPD, or with software vendors
  • Self-motivated with the initiative to see issue resolution through to completion
  • Business focused approach with strong interpersonal skills
  • Positive attitude with a commitment to a high quality of work
  • Demonstrated competency to learn new technical skills

Working Conditions and Environment:

  • Work is performed in an office/ laboratory/clinical/and/or home office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
  • For Labs-based staff, exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms.
  • For Labs-based staff, personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves.
  • Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions.

Physical Requirements:

  • Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.
  • Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
  • Frequent mobility required.
  • Occasional crouching, stooping, bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
  • Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
  • Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
  • Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Frequently interacts with others to obtain or relate information to diverse groups.
  • Works independently with little guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions and plans work schedules to meet goals. Requires multiple periods of intense concentration.
  • Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence. Ability to perform under stress. Ability to multi-task.
  • Regular and consistent attendance.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

*Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening(where applicable)

*Richmond, VA location required, Relocation assistance is not provided.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Virginia is $93,800.00–$140,670.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

  • A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

  • Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

  • At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

  • Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

  • Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

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