Messaging Engineer II

Kirkland & Ellis; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago is seeking a Messaging Engineer II to support, engineer, and operate enterprise messaging infrastructure and mobile device management platforms. You will partner with infrastructure, security, and application teams to resolve complex issues and deliver a seamless end-user experience across a global environment.

This is a hands-on role requiring 2–3 days per week in a Kirkland office, with opportunities to influence system stability, performance, and security through

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• 5+ years supporting enterprise-scale messaging environments in global organizations.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Exchange Server, Exchange Online, email archiving, SMTP, and Proofpoint.
• Experience with Mobile Device Management (MDM) including Microsoft Intune and iOS devices.
• Understanding of Active Directory and Windows Server.
• PowerShell and automation within Windows systems.
• Ability to translate messaging architecture into scalable deployments.
• Familiarity with Outlook, CodeTwo Email Signatures, Trend ScanMail, Kiteworks, GSX, SCOM.
• Certifications: Microsoft certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Incident Management & Escalations: triage and resolve complex messaging and mobility issues.
• End-User Support & Communication: provide timely updates to attorneys and staff on issue status.
• System Monitoring & Optimization: monitor system health and report metrics for capacity planning.
• Infrastructure Enhancement: identify opportunities to improve messaging and mobile platforms.
• Collaboration & Strategy Input: shape messaging and mobility strategies that scale globally.
• Project Delivery: coordinate production changes and document processes for future reference.
• Standards & Documentation: develop and maintain platform standards across IT teams.
• Security Alignment: work with Security Governance and Operations on email/mobile security standards.
• Technology Adoption: stay current with new messaging and mobile technologies.
• Operational Readiness: participate in on-call rotations and weekend maintenance.

Skills

Messaging environments

Exchange Server

Exchange Online

Email archiving

SMTP

Proofpoint

MDM

Intune

iOS devices

Active Directory

Windows Server

PowerShell

Automation

Outlook

CodeTwo Email Signatures

Trend ScanMail

Kiteworks

GSX

SCOM

Security standards

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

GSX

SCOM

Outlook

Kiteworks

Trend ScanMail

CodeTwo Email Signatures

Proofpoint

Job description

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you passionate about building and maintaining reliable, high-performing messaging and mobility environments that keep a global workforce connected?

As a Messaging Engineer II, you’ll play a key role in supporting, engineering, and operating enterprise messaging infrastructure and mobile device management platforms. You’ll partner with infrastructure, security, and application teams to resolve complex issues, enhance performance, and deliver a seamless end-user experience across a global environment. This is a hands-on role where your expertise will directly impact system stability, innovation, and user productivity.

This is a hybrid role requiring 2–3 days per week in a Kirkland office.

• Incident Management & Escalations: Triage and resolve complex messaging and mobility issues escalated via email, phone, or IT Service Management (ITSM) systems, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors as needed.
• End-User Support & Communication: Provide timely updates and clear communication to attorneys and staff on issue status, ensuring a high-quality support experience.
• System Monitoring & Optimization: Proactively monitor system health, performance, and availability; analyze trends and report metrics to support capacity planning and continuous improvement.
• Infrastructure Enhancement: Identify and drive opportunities to improve messaging and mobile platforms, elevating functionality, reliability, and end-user experience.
• Collaboration & Strategy Input: Partner with Architecture and other IT teams to shape and implement messaging and mobility strategies that scale globally.
• Project Delivery: Contribute to the implementation of messaging-related projects, including coordinating production changes and documenting processes for future reference.
• Standards & Documentation: Develop and maintain platform standards, ensuring consistency and alignment across IT teams.
• Security Alignment: Work closely with Security Governance and Operations teams to maintain email and mobile device security standards.
• Technology Adoption: Stay current with emerging messaging and mobile technologies, quickly learning and applying new tools and solutions.
• Operational Readiness: Participate in on-call rotations and perform scheduled maintenance during designated weekend windows.

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience: 5+ years supporting enterprise-scale messaging environments in large, global organizations.
• Messaging Expertise: Strong knowledge of Microsoft Exchange Server, Exchange Online, email archiving systems, SMTP, and secure messaging platforms such as Proofpoint.
• Mobile & Endpoint Management: Experience with Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms, including Microsoft Intune, and supporting iOS devices.
• Infrastructure Knowledge: Solid understanding of Microsoft Active Directory and Windows Server environments.
• Automation & Scripting: Proficiency in PowerShell and automation techniques within Windows-based systems.
• Technical Implementation: Ability to translate messaging architecture into scalable, real-world deployments across global user bases.
• Tools & Platforms: Familiarity with tools such as Outlook, CodeTwo Email Signatures, Trend ScanMail, Kiteworks, monitoring tools (GSX, System Center Operations Manager (SCOM)), and related technologies.
• Best Practices & Communication: Proven ability to define, implement, and communicate messaging standards and best practices effectively.
• Certifications: Microsoft certifications are a plus.

If you’re ready to enhance global communication systems, solve complex challenges, and make a measurable impact as a Messaging Engineer II, we’d love to hear from you!

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Chicago: $116,000 - $144,000