GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Junior Systems Engineer helps implement, administer, and secure reliable on-premises and hybrid infrastructure spanning Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, VMware virtualization, enterprise storage, backup and disaster recovery, PowerShell automation, Azure, and AWS. Under senior engineering guidance, the role builds technical proficiency through systems administration, monitoring, incident response, documentation, change management, upgrades, security hardening, and recovery testing.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Administer and maintain Active Directory Domain Services, including domain controllers, Group Policy Objects, organizational units, DNS, DHCP, sites and services, trusts, and Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles.
- Support Microsoft Entra ID and hybrid identity services, including identity synchronization, user and group lifecycle administration, single sign-on, Conditional Access, and basic identity security monitoring.
- Operate and troubleshoot virtualization platforms, with emphasis on VMware vSphere, including ESXi hosts, vCenter Server, virtual machine lifecycle management, virtual networking, resource allocation, and platform health.
- Assist with the administration of other hypervisor platforms as assigned.
- Manage enterprise storage systems, including provisioning, capacity and performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and support for block and file protocols such as iSCSI, Fibre Channel, NFS, and SMB.
- Apply and maintain security hardening standards for Active Directory, Windows Server, virtualization platforms, storage, and related infrastructure in accordance with organizational policies and applicable industry benchmarks.
- Administer enterprise backup and recovery solutions, including backup job configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, restoration, and routine validation of recoverability for systems, data, and virtual machines.
- Support disaster recovery planning, documentation, testing, and execution for identity services, virtualization, storage, backup platforms, and other critical infrastructure components.
- Develop, test, document, and maintain PowerShell scripts that automate routine administration, reporting, validation, and configuration tasks across Windows Server, Active Directory, and related systems.
- Assist with Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services infrastructure tasks, including virtual machine deployment, networking, identity integration, resource administration, and hybrid connectivity.
- Monitor infrastructure health, respond to alerts and incidents, perform methodical root-cause analysis, document findings, and contribute to corrective and preventive actions.
- Participate in change, incident, and problem management processes; maintain technical documentation, operational procedures, inventories, and knowledge articles.
- Collaborate with senior engineers, security teams, application teams, vendors, and other stakeholders on infrastructure projects, upgrades, lifecycle activities, and security initiatives.
- Participate in an on-call rotation as knowledge and experience permit, and perform planned maintenance outside normal business hours when required.
- Travel to data center locations to assist with rack-and-stack activities, cabling, equipment installation, hardware replacement, and other physical infrastructure work, including during evenings or weekends when scheduled.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and practical experience.
- One to three years of hands-on experience supporting Windows Server, Active Directory Domain Services, virtualization, storage, backup and recovery, or related infrastructure; relevant internships, military experience, laboratory work, or substantial technical project work may be considered.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID, hybrid identity concepts, and basic Microsoft Azure administration.
- Familiarity with VMware vSphere, including ESXi, vCenter Server, virtual networking, virtual machines, and resource allocation.
- Experience with enterprise storage concepts and administration, including block and file storage.
- Experience with modern MFT services, print services, Active Directory Certificate Services, and SaaS monitoring and management platforms.
- Practical PowerShell scripting or automation experience.
- Familiarity with Windows Server and Active Directory security hardening principles.
- Exposure to enterprise data protection platforms and disaster recovery concepts and testing practices.
- Preferred: experience with Azure Virtual Machines or Desktops, Virtual Networks, identity services, or related Azure infrastructure components.
- Preferred: exposure to Amazon EC2, Amazon VPC, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), or hybrid connectivity.
- Preferred certifications include Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ‑900), Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ‑104), Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administrator Associate, VMware Certified Technical Associate - Data Center Virtualization (VCTA‑DCV), CompTIA Server+.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of core Microsoft infrastructure technologies, including Windows Server, Active Directory Domain Services, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and Microsoft Entra ID.
- Understanding of core networking concepts, including TCP/IP, subnets, routing, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, firewall fundamentals, and common network troubleshooting methods.
- Ability to administer and troubleshoot virtual machines, hypervisor hosts, virtual networking, storage connectivity, and resource utilization.
- Ability to write, review, test, and safely execute PowerShell scripts for administrative automation and reporting.
- Understanding of least privilege, secure configuration, patching, vulnerability remediation, identity protection, backup integrity, and recovery validation.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues methodically, assess operational risk, document evidence, and escalate appropriately.
- Ability to produce clear technical documentation, operating procedures, change records, incident notes, and knowledge articles.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, customer service orientation, attention to detail, and ability to collaborate effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, follow established change and incident management processes, and complete assigned work with appropriate guidance and accountability.
- Commitment to continuous learning in identity, virtualization, storage, cloud infrastructure, security hardening, backup and recovery, and disaster recovery technologies.
- Ability to perform scheduled work outside normal business hours and travel to data center locations as required. Ability to safely perform hands-on equipment installation and rack-and-stack work, subject to applicable organizational safety requirements and reasonable accommodation.