Lead System Administrator

Braze•Chicago, IL

About The Position

We are seeking a Lead Systems Administrator to act as the technical escalation point for our Service Desk and to own the reliability, security, and operational excellence of our IT services. In this role, you will lead incident response, perform deep root cause analysis, and proactively improve systems through automation and process improvements. You will also serve as a mentor and subject matter expert across multiple IT domains.

Requirements

A hands-on problem solver who takes ownership and strives for operational excellence
Experienced in supporting SaaS platforms such as Google Workspace, Slack, Okta, Iru, and other enterprise IT services, including API-based administration
Knowledgeable in virtualization and cloud environments (AWS, VMware, or equivalent)
Proficient in scripting and automation using tools such as Bash, Python, and/or Ruby
Comfortable using tools such as Jira, Git, and GAM
Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and improving IT services
Strong understanding of IT operations best practices, including security, storage, data protection, and disaster recovery
Self-directed, detail-oriented, and capable of prioritizing work based on impact and urgency
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong networking fundamentals, including familiarity with the OSI model
Familiar with software development lifecycle principles

Nice To Haves

ITIL Foundation (or higher) certification
Experience managing cloud infrastructure in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary escalation point for the Service Desk to investigate and resolve complex technical issues
Own the maintenance, configuration, availability, and business continuity of core IT services
Act as Incident Manager or partner closely with Incident Management during service outages, and security incidents, ensuring clear and timely communication to the business
Identify recurring issues, define corrective actions, and implement long-term solutions
Provide advanced support for Google Workspace, including email delivery, permissions, security issues, and service integrations
Support escalated issues across Zscaler, macOS, networking, Google Workspace, and Okta
Troubleshoot and maintain integrations of IT SaaS such as; Okta, Google Workspace, Slack, Zscaler and Iru
Serve as Tier 3 support for macOS, hardware, and network-related issues
Design, write, and maintain custom scripts or applications to improve system efficiency and reduce manual effort
Create and maintain IT documentation and contribute to the Knowledge Base
Manage vendor relationships for IT services and tools
Investigate and remediate security-related issues across Gmail, Slack, and Okta
Mentor team members and promote IT best practices across the organization

Benefits

Competitive compensation that may include equity
Retirement and Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Flexible paid time off
Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental, vision, life, and disability
Family services that include fertility benefits and equal paid parental leave
Professional development supported by formal career pathing, learning platforms, and a yearly learning stipend
A curated in-office employee experience, designed to foster community, team connections, and innovation
Opportunities to give back to your community, including an annual company-wide Volunteer Week and donation matching
Employee Resource Groups that provide supportive communities within Braze
Collaborative, transparent, and fun culture recognized as a Great Place to Work®