Senior IT Systems Engineer

GreatAmerica Financial Services•Cedar Rapids, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

GreatAmerica Financial Services is a highly successful entrepreneurial company providing equipment financing to businesses across the United States. Our exemplary customer service, our principle-centered business philosophy and our team-based operating approach are key to our success and growth. We Are Looking to Add a Key Member to Our Infrastructure Team! The Senior IT Systems Engineer role provides superior customer service while being primarily responsible for the planning, design, development, and launching of Infrastructure information systems in support of core organizational needs. This individual is responsible for the daily operation and design of infrastructure systems ensuring the stability, integrity and effectiveness of in-house and cloud-based information systems. This position will serve as an escalation target for complex issues. As a Senior IT Systems Engineer, you will: Strategy & Planning Collaborate with other IT staff to ensure smooth and reliable operations of IT infrastructure systems Work with executive team members, decision makers, and stakeholders to define business requirements and to identify and resolve system issues Plan, design, and deliver new IT infrastructure systems and enhancements to existing systems Conduct research on emerging technologies and recommend technologies Review and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of existing infrastructure systems Develop a roadmap for improving and further leveraging infrastructure systems including capacity planning Ensure transparency by developing KPI that measure the effectiveness of infrastructure systems Develop and maintain a personal development plan Actively participate in the budgeting process Cultivate relationships with vendors, GreatAmerica employees and all key stakeholders Acquisition & Deployment Create system design proposals. Perform cost-benefit and return on investment analyses for proposed systems to aid management in making implementation decisions Conduct research on software and systems to justify recommendations Interact and negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure system-related products and services Review new and existing systems design projects for compliance with standards and architectural plans Operational Management Deliver required service levels and provide exceptional customer service Develop, recommend, follow and implement processes and procedures for the management and support of infrastructure services in accordance with ITIL standards Mentor and/or provide support to team members. Propose and create system design models, specifications, diagrams, and charts to provide direction and support to other team members and/or contractors/vendors Design and perform security audits, system backup procedures, and other recovery processes in accordance with the company’s disaster recovery and business continuity strategies Develop and maintain documentation as it relates to system configuration, mapping, processes, service records, policies, procedures and associated training and support documentation Coordinate and perform in-depth tests including end-user reviews, for modified and new systems Monitor and track the effectiveness and efficiency of existing infrastructure systems Ensure stable and efficient connectivity of all infrastructure equipment Install, manage and maintain all server operating systems and supporting hardware and software Anticipate, identify, troubleshoot, and resolve infrastructure hardware and software problems Schedule and perform infrastructure improvements, upgrades, patches and reconfigurations Provide orientation and training to stakeholders for all modified and new systems Design, implement and manage Identity platforms. Design, implement and manage Cybersecurity platforms as required.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in the field of computer science/MIS or equivalent experience.
10+ years supporting IT infrastructure components of which 6+ years were spent designing and implementing IT systems as a primary function.
Excellent technical knowledge of network and Intel-based server hardware in a Microsoft environment.
Hands-on hardware troubleshooting experience.
In-depth knowledge of current network protocols, operating systems, and standards, including TCP/IP, Windows Server 2016+ and VMware ESXi 8.0+ and vCenter.
Experience supporting enterprise class Storage Arrays (SANs) and Fiber Channel switches.
Experience supporting Cisco networking equipment.
Experience supporting Check Point, Fortinet or Cisco firewalls.
Experience supporting and managing Active Directory and Entra.
Experience supporting and managing Okta.
Experience supporting Microsoft Azure including Azure networking and IaaS products.
Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
Proven project planning and management experience
Able to read and understand technical manuals and procedural documentation.
Ability to conduct research into emerging technologies and trends, standards, and products as required.
Ability to operate tools, components, and peripheral accessories
Ability to provide technical leadership without direct authority
Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills
Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
Strong written communication skills, including technical and procedural documentation
High level of customer service orientation and professionalism
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Nice To Haves

Advanced certifications in VMware, Microsoft or Cisco preferred.
MCSE and/or CCNP preferred.
ITIL foundation preferred.
Experience in developing strategic systems architecture plans.
Hands-on experience with business requirements gathering/analysis.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with other IT staff to ensure smooth and reliable operations of IT infrastructure systems
Work with executive team members, decision makers, and stakeholders to define business requirements and to identify and resolve system issues
Plan, design, and deliver new IT infrastructure systems and enhancements to existing systems
Conduct research on emerging technologies and recommend technologies
Review and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of existing infrastructure systems
Develop a roadmap for improving and further leveraging infrastructure systems including capacity planning
Ensure transparency by developing KPI that measure the effectiveness of infrastructure systems
Develop and maintain a personal development plan
Actively participate in the budgeting process
Cultivate relationships with vendors, GreatAmerica employees and all key stakeholders
Create system design proposals.
Perform cost-benefit and return on investment analyses for proposed systems to aid management in making implementation decisions
Conduct research on software and systems to justify recommendations
Interact and negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure system-related products and services
Review new and existing systems design projects for compliance with standards and architectural plans
Deliver required service levels and provide exceptional customer service
Develop, recommend, follow and implement processes and procedures for the management and support of infrastructure services in accordance with ITIL standards
Mentor and/or provide support to team members.
Propose and create system design models, specifications, diagrams, and charts to provide direction and support to other team members and/or contractors/vendors
Design and perform security audits, system backup procedures, and other recovery processes in accordance with the company’s disaster recovery and business continuity strategies
Develop and maintain documentation as it relates to system configuration, mapping, processes, service records, policies, procedures and associated training and support documentation
Coordinate and perform in-depth tests including end-user reviews, for modified and new systems
Monitor and track the effectiveness and efficiency of existing infrastructure systems
Ensure stable and efficient connectivity of all infrastructure equipment
Install, manage and maintain all server operating systems and supporting hardware and software
Anticipate, identify, troubleshoot, and resolve infrastructure hardware and software problems
Schedule and perform infrastructure improvements, upgrades, patches and reconfigurations
Provide orientation and training to stakeholders for all modified and new systems
Design, implement and manage Identity platforms.
Design, implement and manage Cybersecurity platforms as required.

Benefits

Competitive Compensation
Monthly Bonuses for Eligible Employees
401(k) and Company Match
Annual Profit Sharing
Paid Time Off
Paid Vacation - starting at 80 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
Paid Sick Days - Ten (10) per year with a conversion option for unused time.
Ten (10) Paid Holidays per year
Gym Reimbursement
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Short-Term and Long Term Disability
Company Paid Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Employee Assistance Program
Parental Leave
Tuition Assistance
Networking Opportunities
Leadership Development Opportunities
Paid Parking
Service Awards
Hybrid work arrangements
Business casual environment
A strong organizational culture focused on our greatest asset: you!