The Senior Systems Administrator is responsible for architecting, implementing, and overseeing the advanced stability, cybersecurity, and optimization of the organization's compute, virtualization, and enterprise storage platforms. This position leads initiatives for systems modernization and automation, serving as a technical expert and escalation resource for complex infrastructure issues.
Working directly with the Sr. Manager, Systems Administration, the Senior Systems Administrator ensures critical systems—including Active Directory, SCCM/MECM, Intune, virtualization platforms (VMware/Nutanix), and enterprise storage arrays (NetApp/EMC)—meet stringent performance and compliance standards. Success in this role requires deep technical expertise, proactive problem-solving skills, and broad experience in enterprise-scale environments.
Key Responsibilities:
Advanced Server & System Administration
- Architect, deploy, and manage complex Windows and Linux server environments, both physical and virtual (on premise and cloud), with an emphasis on domain and policy design.
- Oversee routine and emergency patching, software deployment, OS upgrades, and configuration changes using automation and scripting wherever feasible.
- Lead root cause analysis and remediation efforts for performance, availability, or security incidents across critical corporate systems.
Active Directory, Azure, SCCM/MECM, Intune
- Design, manage, and audit multi-site Active Directory forests, including domains, trusts, OU structures, group policies, and permissions.
- Manage and maintain Azure cloud infrastructure, including Microsoft Entra (Azure AD) for identity and access control, resource group organization, policy enforcement, and automation to ensure secure, efficient, and compliant cloud operations.
- Maintain and optimize Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM/MECM) architectures for software delivery, patch management, and asset inventory.
- Provide expert-level administration of Microsoft Intune for mobile device management, application deployment, and security policy enforcement.
Virtualization & Enterprise Storage Management
- Architect and manage highly available virtual infrastructure across VMware, Azure, and Nutanix, including resource pools, high availability clusters, disaster recovery planning, and performance tuning.
- Administer enterprise storage systems (NetApp/EMC); lead capacity planning, performance optimization, multi-tier backup and recovery strategies, and ensure robust data protection.
- Oversee SAN/NAS deployments and migrations, working closely with application owners to ensure seamless service delivery.
Data Center Operations
- Manage and audit hardware lifecycles, participate in facility planning, and ensure compliance with environmental and security protocols.
- Oversee racking, cabling, and remote hands activities when required for project deployments or incident response.
Monitoring, Incident Response, Documentation
- Implement advanced monitoring solutions, develop automated response workflows, and own major incident management processes for system outages.
- Document all infrastructure designs, processes, and standard operating procedures with emphasis on regulatory and security requirements.
- Participate in audits, compliance assessments, and infrastructure strategic reviews as a subject matter expert.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent advanced experience.
- Minimum 7-10 years in enterprise IT infrastructure roles with demonstrated senior-level responsibility.
- Mastery in administering Windows Server and Active Directory in complex, multi-domain/multi-forest environments.
- Proven expertise in SCCM/MECM and Intune, including design, implementation, troubleshooting, and reporting.
- Advanced knowledge and hands-on experience with VMware/Nutanix virtualization architecture, HA/DR, and capacity management.
- Deep experience managing NetApp and/or EMC storage environments within large enterprise deployments.
- Fluency with scripting (PowerShell, bash, Python), automation tools, and system monitoring solutions.
- Relevant industry certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, VMware VCP, Nutanix NCP, NetApp NCDA) highly preferred.
Core Competencies:
- Technical Leadership: Serves as technical mentor, sets architectural standards, guides junior staff.
- Strategic Reliability: Ensures resilience, redundancy, and performance in large-scale systems.
- Incident Management: Drives rapid resolution and continual improvement for IT incidents.
- Team Collaboration: Works seamlessly with network, security, cloud, and development teams for holistic service delivery.
- Process Ownership: Leads change control, documentation, and compliance initiatives.
- Continuous Improvement: Actively evaluates emerging technologies and recommends investments in IT modernization.
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