Systems Engineer

Challenge Manufacturing•Walker, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Challenge Manufacturing is seeking a detail-oriented, proactive, and technically skilled Systems Engineer to join their IT Infrastructure team. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting core server infrastructure across both Windows Server and Linux environments. The ideal candidate will manage enterprise services such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, Exchange, PKI, Microsoft System Center, Nutanix AHV/Hyper-V, and SAN storage, while driving automation, performance optimization, and security best practices. This role is for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys balancing innovation with reliability.

Requirements

Associates degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
3+ years of network/support experience.
Proven experience with Windows Server and Linux administration.
Hands-on expertise in Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, Exchange, PKI, and System Center.
Experience with virtualization technologies (Nutanix AHV, Hyper-V).
Experience with security tools such as; Sentinel One, Cisco Umbrella, Duo, and Cisco ISE.
Familiarity with SAN infrastructure and performance monitoring.
Experience with SCCM and Intune.
Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft products.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
Customer-focused mindset with urgency in addressing business needs.
Willingness to work weekends and after-hours to support scheduled maintenance or projects.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
5+ years of network/support experience.
Experience with automated infrastructure management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python).
Exposure to cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP) in hybrid environments.
Prior experience in enterprise-scale, manufacturing, or global business environments.

Responsibilities

Design and engineer infrastructure solutions to meet project and operational requirements.
Build, configure, patch, and maintain Windows and Linux servers according to best practices.
Administer and optimize Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, Microsoft Exchange, PKI, and Microsoft System Center.
Implement and support virtualization platforms (Nutanix AHV, Hyper-V) and manage SAN storage infrastructure.
Monitor system health, track KPIs, perform tuning, and conduct capacity planning for physical and virtual environments.
Develop and maintain technical documentation, standards, and process workflows.
Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity problems quickly and effectively.
Ensure systems are secure through regular patching, adherence to security best practices, and proactive threat hunting using SIEM platforms.
Oversee and enhance backup processes to safeguard data integrity and availability.
Prepare and deliver audit reports and provide clear documentation to support compliance and management requirements.
Recommend and implement automated approaches to improve efficiency and reduce manual tasks.
Administer Microsoft licensing for compliance/cost optimization and manage email security solutions to prevent phishing, malware, and unauthorized access.
Work flexibly with other departments and share knowledge.
Participate in IT on-call rotation and maintain availability outside of normal business hours to respond to critical system outages, emergencies, and other business impacting incidents as needed.