IT Systems Engineer

Breakthrough Properties; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Breakthrough Properties is seeking an IT Systems Engineer to be the primary on-site IT resource for our Boston-area portfolio. You will own regional helpdesk operations, manage tenant tech move-ins, and coordinate with VMs while supporting remote staff across the US and UK.

You will administer Microsoft 365, Entra ID, endpoint management (Intune/NinjaOne), and network infrastructure, with a strong focus on security, automation, and processes. This is an on-site role with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in IT support, systems administration, or a combined helpdesk/sysadmin role.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 and Entra ID administration.
• Proficiency with endpoint management tools - Intune, NinjaOne, or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals - VLANs, DNS, DHCP, switching, and wireless.
• Experience supporting Windows 11 endpoints in an enterprise environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to work independently.
• Experience coordinating with vendors, contractors, or third-party service providers.
• Scripting or automation experience - PowerShell, Python, or workflow tools such as Power Automate, Workato.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary on-site IT resource for Boston-area properties; provide Tier 3 helpdesk support.
• Coordinate tenant technology move-ins including network provisioning and AV setup.
• Manage on-site vendor relationships for IT services and projects.
• Conduct site assessments and coordinate IT infrastructure work tied to tenant improvements.
• Support meeting room tech, video conferencing, and shared AV infrastructure.
• Provide remote Tier 3 helpdesk support across US/UK properties; ensure consistent standards.

Skills

IT governance

Microsoft 365

Entra ID administration

Endpoint management

Networking fundamentals

Windows 11

Independent worker

Vendor coordination

Scripting/Automation

Education

Microsoft certifications (preferred)

Tools

Intune

NinjaOne

Entra ID

Cisco Meraki

Box

M365

PowerShell / Python / Power Automate / Workato

Job description

Breakthrough Properties is a life science real estate investment company that leverages cross-sector collaboration to deliver environments that foster innovation and scientific breakthroughs. As a joint- venture between Tishman Speyer and Bellco Capital, combining Tishman Speyer’s global real estate platform with Bellco Capital’s deep life science investment expertise, Breakthrough is developing and delivering environments where companies can create life-changing therapies for patients. Breakthrough is led by an experienced management team with a proven track record investing, developing and operating best-in- class life science real estate. At Breakthrough, we seek to be a home for scientific discovery and innovation because we understand what scientists do, how they do it and why they do it.

We are seeking a technically skilled and service-oriented IT Systems Engineer to serve as the primary on-site IT resource for our Boston-area life science portfolio. This role owns regional helpdesk operations and systems administration while also providing remote IT support across BTP's full portfolio of corporate offices and properties in the US and UK.

The position is the first point of escalation for end users across the Northeast region and is directly involved in tenant technology support, move-in coordination, vendor management, and on-site infrastructure operations. You will work closely with the Senior Director of IT and align with the San Diego-based IT Manager, operating with a high degree of autonomy while maintaining consistent standards across all BTP properties. This is a high-ownership role for someone who operates well independently, communicates proactively, and wants to be part of a growing organization where their contributions are visible and valued.

Responsibilities

Regional & On-Site Support

• Serve as the primary on-site IT resource for Boston-area BTP properties, providing Tier 3 helpdesk support for regional staff and tenants
• Coordinate and execute tenant technology move-ins including network provisioning, AV setup, access control onboarding, and infrastructure readiness for new tenant spaces
• Manage on-site vendor relationships for IT-related services including cabling, low-voltage, AV, and physical infrastructure projects
• Conduct site assessments and coordinate IT infrastructure work tied to tenant improvements, buildouts, and property transitions
• Support meeting room technology, video conferencing systems, and shared AV infrastructure across Boston properties
• Provide occasional travel support to other Northeast and regional BTP properties as operational needs arise

Remote Portfolio Support

• Provide remote Tier 3 helpdesk support across BTP's full portfolio of US and UK properties, serving as a shared resource for corporate staff and distributed teams
• Collaborate with IT leadership and the San Diego-based IT Manager to maintain consistent systems, standards, and processes across all portfolio assets
• Support remote troubleshooting, device management, and user administration for staff outside the Boston region
• Assist in the coordination of IT needs for new property openings, expansions, and portfolio-wide initiatives

Helpdesk & End User Support

• Own and manage the regional helpdesk queue through Freshservice, ensuring SLA adherence, thorough documentation, and quality ticket closure
• Identify recurring issues and drive root-cause resolutions to reduce ticket volume and improve end-user self-sufficiency over time
• Onboard and offboard employees – provisioning accounts, devices, and access in coordination with automated IT workflows
• Provide hands-on and remote support for hardware, software, peripherals, and mobile devices

Systems Administration & Infrastructure

• Administer and maintain the endpoint fleet using Microsoft Intune and NinjaOne RMM – patch management, policy enforcement, software deployment, and compliance reporting
• Manage IT asset lifecycle – procurement, inventory tracking, device deployment, and recovery
• Support Entra ID (Azure AD) administration including user and group management, conditional access policies, and identity governance
• Maintain and troubleshoot Cisco Meraki network infrastructure across Boston properties – switches, wireless APs, and MX security appliances
• Administer physical access control – credential management, group assignments, and access audits
• Support the Microsoft 365 environment including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and licensing
• Administer Box for end users, including permissions, folder structure, and M365 integration
• Contribute to Azure-based workloads and automation initiatives under direction from the Senior Director of IT
• Maintain IT documentation in the knowledge base and contribute to runbooks and standard operating procedures

Security & Compliance

• Support Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) monitoring and alert triage for the Boston region
• Enforce endpoint compliance and security baselines across managed devices

AI & Automation

Breakthrough Properties is building an automation-first IT operation, and this role is expected to actively contribute to that effort. The ideal candidate is not just a consumer of AI tools but a practitioner — someone who sees repetitive processes as opportunities and reaches for automation before accepting manual work as the norm.

Process Automation & Tooling

• Identify and implement automation opportunities across IT operations — including onboarding/offboarding workflows, endpoint provisioning, alerting, and routine administrative tasks
• Build and maintain integrations using Workato or comparable iPaaS platforms to connect BTP's core systems (M365, Freshservice, Entra ID, Box, NinjaOne, and others)
• Develop and maintain PowerShell scripts and lightweight internal tools to extend and automate IT processes
• Contribute to BTP's agentic IT workflows — supporting AI-assisted orchestration across ticketing, identity management, and infrastructure monitoring

AI Tool Fluency

• Apply AI-assisted tools (including Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and similar platforms) to accelerate IT tasks — documentation, troubleshooting research, script generation, and communications
• Stay current on emerging AI capabilities relevant to IT operations and evaluate new tooling for practical application within BTP's environment
• Contribute to the development of internal AI use cases and help establish repeatable, governed patterns for AI adoption across the IT team

Documentation & Knowledge Automation

• Use AI-assisted workflows to generate, maintain, and improve runbooks, SOPs, and knowledge base articles
• Identify opportunities to reduce ticket volume through automated self-service, intelligent routing, and proactive monitoring

Qualifications

Required

• 5-7 years of experience in IT support, systems administration, or a combined helpdesk/sysadmin role
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 and Entra ID administration
• Proficiency with endpoint management tools - Intune, NinjaOne, or equivalent RMM/MDM platforms
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals - VLANs, DNS, DHCP, switching, and wireless
• Experience supporting Windows 11 endpoints in an enterprise environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage competing priorities without day-to-day supervision
• Strong written and verbal communication skills - comfortable with both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience coordinating with vendors, contractors, or third-party service providers
• Foundational experience with scripting or automation - PowerShell, Python, or workflow tools such as Power Automate, Workato, or equivalent

Preferred

• Experience with Cisco Meraki network administration
• Familiarity with Avigilon or comparable physical access control platforms
• Experience with Freshservice or similar ITSM ticketing systems
• Hands-on experience with Workato, Power Automate, or comparable iPaaS/automation platforms
• Exposure to Azure infrastructure, Logic Apps, or Azure Automation
• Experience building or contributing to AI-assisted workflows or internal tooling
• Experience supporting tenant move-ins, AV deployments, or technology infrastructure projects in a commercial real estate environment
• Microsoft certifications a plus
• Experience in a multi-site or distributed organization supporting remote and in-person users

Work Environment

• On-site, Boston-based role — regular in-office presence required at primary Boston property
• Occasional travel to other Northeast and regional BTP properties
• Remote support responsibilities for BTP's full US and UK portfolio
• Lean, high-trust team with direct access to IT leadership and real ownership from day one

The base compensation range for this role is $105,000-$120,000 annually. This role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, as well as our comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) plan (with matching contributions), wellness benefits and all other benefits afforded to full-time Breakthrough employees.

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, Breakthrough Properties is committed to a diverse workforce. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job-related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state, and local laws.

All Applicants

Knows Your Rights Notice: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster

Employee Polygraph Protection: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/employee-polygraph-protection-act

California Applicants

We are committed to fair chance hiring practices. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. We do not inquire about criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.