Principal Systems Engineer

Foundever; Bartons Location (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Remote-friendly environment

Professional development opportunities

Travel for training/events

Job summary

Foundever is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to own end-to-end lifecycle management of our global server/infrastructure. You will drive optimization and strategic evolution of enterprise environments, acting as a subject-matter expert to ensure reliability and future readiness.

You will lead complex projects, manage incidents, and coordinate with cross-functional teams while mentoring engineers. A strong foundation in Windows Server, VMware, and security/compliance is essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in server administration, systems engineering, or related infra role with 3+ years in senior/lead capacity
• Experience in solutioning and design
• Thorough knowledge of systems operations, security, and disaster recovery
• In-depth knowledge of IT regulatory compliance (HIPAA, PCI, GDPR)
• Commitment to quality work in a fast-paced environment
• Merger and Acquisition experience a plus
• Project Management experience a plus
• Expert-level proficiency in Windows Server infrastructure and architecture (AD, DNS, GP, IIS, PowerShell, clustering)
• Mandatory hands-on VMware vSphere (ESXi, vCenter, vSAN, vMotion, HA/DRS, VUM) in large-scale enterprise environments
• Proven ability to oversee and maintain highly available server infrastructures with 99.99% uptime
• Track record of architectural improvements focused on compatibility, scalability, performance, security, automation
• Experience leading medium to complex IT projects across domains
• Exceptional problem-solving for incident and problem resolution
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Desirable: Linux server administration experience (RHEL, Ubuntu) and backup solutions
• Advantages: cloud familiarity (Azure, AWS, GCP) and hybrid cloud experience
• Experience with scripting/automation beyond PowerShell (Python, Ansible)

Responsibilities

• Lead administration, maintenance, and optimization of Windows Server environments
• Design, implement, and maintain virtualized server infrastructures (VMware)
• Drive planning, evaluation, and evolution of infrastructure solutions
• Lead IT projects from inception to completion with budgets and timelines
• Provide expert-level incident and problem management
• Implement monitoring and proactive management
• Contribute to CIM processes and change management
• Create and maintain architecture documentation and SOPs
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and vendors
• Mentor team members and drive improvements
• Support security assessments and audits

Skills

VMware vSphere

Windows Server

PowerShell scripting

Python

Ansible

Cloud platforms

Scripting and automation

Project management

Linux server administration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field

Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (or equivalent)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP-DCV)

Tools

Veeam

Rubrik

Job description

Foundever™ is a global leader in the customer experience (CX) industry. With 170,000 associates across the globe, we’re the team behind the best experiences for +750 of the world’s leading and digital-first brands. Our innovative CX solutions, technology and expertise are designed to support operational needs for our clients and deliver a seamless experience to customers in the moments that matter.

Summary

The Principal Systems Engineer is a critical technical resource responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle management, optimization, and strategic evolution of our global enterprise server and infrastructure environment. The Senior Systems Engineer acts as a subject matter expert, driving continuous innovation and server infrastructure improvements to ensure our systems consistently meet current demands and anticipate future business needs.

Responsibilities

• Advanced Infrastructure Management & Optimization: Lead administration, maintenance, and optimization of complex Microsoft Windows Server environments (Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, IIS, etc.). Manage the full lifecycle of physical and virtual servers across production, development, and training environments, optimizing system performance, scalability, and reliability through capacity planning, load balancing, and resource optimization. Collaborate with Principal Architects and regional engineering teams to build cohesive strategies.
• Virtualization Expertise: Design, implement, and maintain highly available and performant virtualized server infrastructures, primarily utilizing VMware vSphere (ESXi, vCenter, vSAN, vMotion, HA/DRS) technologies.
• Strategic System Design & Architecture: Drive planning, evaluation, and evolution of infrastructure solutions. Evaluate and recommend hardware, software, and services based on business requirements and technical considerations. Identify opportunities for consolidation, virtualization, and migration to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Ensure designs adhere to industry best practices, security standards, and regulatory requirements. Develop detailed design specifications, solution proposals, and architectural recommendations for mission‑critical systems.
• Project Leadership & Management: Lead IT projects from inception to completion, including planning, resource allocation, scheduling, and coordination. Manage project budgets, timelines, and risks, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Complex Incident & Problem Management (Level 2/3): Provide expert‑level support for complex server and application incidents, performing deep root‑cause analysis, implementing resolutions, and executing re‑engineering efforts to prevent recurrence. Troubleshoot complex technical issues, identify root causes, and implement solutions.
• Monitoring & Proactive Management: Implement monitoring and alerting to proactively identify and address potential issues before they impact operations.
• Change & Release Management: Serve as a key contributor and sometimes lead in Foundever’s Change Implementation Management (CIM) processes, ensuring all infrastructure changes are meticulously planned, documented, and executed in accordance with established standards.
• Documentation & Knowledge Management: Create and maintain detailed, high‑quality documentation including architectural diagrams, system configurations, SOPs, application dependencies, and security baselines. Facilitate knowledge transfer within the team.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Consultation: Partner effectively with cross‑functional teams, stakeholders, and vendors to define project goals, scope, and deliverables. Provide expert technical consultation, guidance, and leadership on all infrastructure‑related services and projects.
• Mentorship & Technical Leadership: Mentor and coach team members, sharing knowledge, best practices, and troubleshooting techniques. Lead projects and initiatives to improve system performance and efficiency.
• Security & Compliance Support: Contribute to security assessments and audits to identify security gaps and recommend remediation measures, ensuring the security posture of our systems.
• Other relevant work as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in server administration, systems engineering, or a related infrastructure role, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead capacity.
• Experience in solutioning and design.
• Thorough knowledge of systems operations, security, and disaster recovery principles.
• In‑depth knowledge of IT regulatory compliance (HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, etc.).
• A commitment to quality work and the motivation to deliver that work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Merger and Acquisition experience is a plus.
• Project Management experience is a plus.
• Expert‑level proficiency in designing, implementing, and managing Microsoft Windows Server Infrastructure and Architecture (e.g., Active Directory, DNS, Group Policy, PowerShell scripting, IIS, Windows clustering).
• Mandatory, in‑depth hands‑on experience with VMware vSphere (ESXi, vCenter, vSAN, vMotion, HA/DRS, VUM) in large‑scale enterprise environments.
• Proven ability to oversee and maintain highly available and reliable server infrastructures, consistently achieving 99.99% uptime objectives or higher.
• Track record of successfully recommending, designing, and implementing significant architectural improvements focused on compatibility, scalability, performance, security, and automation.
• Extensive experience leading and managing medium to complex, multi‑disciplinary IT projects within server infrastructure, often spanning various technical domains and functional groups.
• Exceptional problem‑solving skills with the ability to lead complex incident and problem resolution, drive root‑cause analysis, and implement effective preventative measures.
• Strong ability to articulate complex technical issues and solutions clearly and concisely to diverse audiences (technical and non‑technical), both orally and in writing.
• Highly Desired: Practical experience with Linux server administration (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu) and enterprise‑grade backup and recovery solutions (e.g., Veeam, Commvault, Rubrik).
• Advantages: Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP) and experience in hybrid cloud environments, IaaS, STaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
• Experience with scripting and automation tools beyond PowerShell (e.g., Python, Ansible) is a plus.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or a closely related technical field is required.

Certifications

• Required Certifications:
  • Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (or relevant newer Microsoft Server certification replacing MCSA).
  • VMware Certified Professional (VCP-DCV) in Data Center Virtualization.
• Preferred Certifications:
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or relevant AWS/GCP cloud certifications.
  • ITIL Foundation certification.
  • CompTIA Linux+, Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), or other Linux-related certifications.
  • Certifications in enterprise storage or backup solutions.

What We Offer

• Impactful work: Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge AI technologies that will be game‑changers for our business.
• Professional growth: Continuous learning and development opportunities in a dynamic, remote work environment.
• Competitive compensation: Attractive salary and benefits package.
• Collaborative environment: A supportive team culture with opportunities for occasional travel for training and industry events.