Lead Systems Administrator

S&C Electric Company • Chicago, IL

3d • $116,534 - $154,413 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Systems Administrator provides senior technical leadership for the strategy, design, implementation, operation, security, and continuous improvement of enterprise infrastructure systems, including Azure environments, on-premise data centers, Microsoft 365, identity services, servers, virtualization, endpoint management, backup, and monitoring. This role oversees architecture and performance, mentors team members, guides technical direction across IT and the business, supports short- and long-term technology roadmaps, and serves as an escalation point for complex infrastructure issues.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5+ years of senior-level experience supporting enterprise IT environments and leading complex technical initiatives.
• Microsoft AZ-104, AZ-305, AZ-800, or equivalent relevant certification
• Experience with Azure administration, including virtual machines, storage, networking, monitoring, governance, security controls, cost awareness, hybrid management tools, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, identity and access management, on-premise data center hardware and operations, and hybrid cloud administration.
• Advanced knowledge of Windows Server administration, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file services, patching, monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery practices.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues, lead root cause analysis, and communicate technical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience developing standards, procedures, runbooks, automation scripts, technical documentation, and operational reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work, mentor team members, prioritize competing demands, and work effectively across teams.
• Strong leadership competencies, including technical judgment, strategic thinking, coaching and mentoring, stakeholder management, ownership and accountability, and clear communication with technical and business audiences.
• Capable of embracing diversity and equity to contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Additional education or training in cloud administration, cybersecurity, identity management, endpoint management, or IT service management.
• VMware Certified Professional, CompTIA Server+, or equivalent relevant certification
• ITIL Foundation or equivalent relevant certification
• Strong working knowledge of Azure infrastructure services, Azure Arc, Microsoft Defender, Intune, PowerShell automation, virtualization platforms, configuration management, IT service management tools, and infrastructure governance practices.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, global, or highly regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, design, implementation, administration, monitoring, maintenance, operation, and continuous improvement of enterprise server, Azure, identity, endpoint, on-premise data center, and infrastructure platforms to ensure high availability, security, performance, and business continuity.
• Manage the cloud infrastructure, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, endpoint management, identity integrations, access controls, and hybrid cloud services in alignment with security and operational standards.
• Administer on-premise data centre infrastructure, including server hardware, virtualization hosts, storage, backup systems, monitoring tools, and related operational processes.
• Administer Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, file services, and related enterprise infrastructure services.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex infrastructure incidents, root cause analysis, service restoration, and problem management.
• Develop and enforce system administration standards, patching practices, configuration baselines, documentation, monitoring, and operational procedures.
• Lead infrastructure projects, upgrades, migrations, automation initiatives, and governance activities from planning through implementation and support transition.
• Automate recurring administrative tasks using PowerShell or similar tools to improve consistency, reduce manual effort, and strengthen operational controls.
• Partner with Cyber Security, Network, Operational Technology, other IT and business teams to deliver reliable technology services and resolve cross-functional issues.
• Oversee infrastructure architecture, security posture, and system performance while guiding technical direction across IT and business stakeholders.
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to implement secure configuration standards, support vulnerability remediation, strengthen privileged access controls, and ensure infrastructure platforms meet security and compliance requirements.
• Support disaster recovery design, planning, implementation, testing, backup validation, recovery procedures, and infrastructure resilience improvements.
• Coordinate with vendors and service providers for support escalations, renewals, technical evaluations, lifecycle planning, and service improvement.
• Assist the manager in developing short-term and long-term technology roadmaps, including infrastructure lifecycle planning, refresh planning, modernization priorities, capacity forecasting, technical debt reduction, legacy system retirement, security improvements, and business-aligned technology initiatives.
• Mentor systems administrators, review technical work, promote knowledge sharing, and contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
• Support additional operational, administrative, and project-related activities as needed to maintain reliable IT services and advance departmental objectives.
• Participate in change management, incident response, maintenance windows, and on-call support as required.
• Prepare operational reports, technical documentation, diagrams, runbooks, and knowledge base articles.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, vendor solutions, and process improvements that may enhance infrastructure reliability, security, or efficiency.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance and attend in-person or virtual meetings as requested or required.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members, stakeholders, vendors, and business partners.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical & Prescription
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Group Life Insurance
• Optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance
• Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program
• Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support)
• Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• Company Shutdown days
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Other Leaves
• Paid Parental Time
• Military Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component
• ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree