Senior System Administrator

Penhall International; Anaheim (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Penhall Company is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to maintain and enhance our IT infrastructure, spanning on‑premises and cloud environments. You will focus on high availability, security, and scalable automation while guiding standards and best practices.

The role requires deep expertise in system administration, cybersecurity, and process automation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment and to mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of systems administration in an enterprise environment.
• Preferred MCSE or Microsoft 365 certifications.

Responsibilities

• Manage on‑premises and cloud IT infrastructure (networking, servers, AD, Azure, M365).
• Serve as escalation point for IT challenges with vendors.
• Design and optimize maintenance, patching, and DR testing with automation.

Skills

Microsoft 365 ecosystem

Azure AD and SSO

Cybersecurity practices

Automation and scripting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems or related field

Tools

Azure

VMware

Veeam

Automox

PowerShell

Proofpoint

CrowdStrike

Active Directory

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Senior Systems Administrator will serve as a critical member of Penhall's IT team, responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company's IT infrastructure, both on-premises and in the cloud. This role will focus on ensuring high system availability, top-tier support, and adherence to IT best practices while delivering efficient and scalable solutions. The position requires expertise in system administration, cybersecurity, and process automation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and administer on-premises and cloud-based IT infrastructure, including networking, servers, Active Directory, Azure, Microsoft 365, Track IT, and cybersecurity programs.
• Serve as the highest escalation point for IT-related challenges, engaging with vendors and troubleshooting complex issues.
• Design, implement, and optimize systems maintenance plans, including system performance monitoring, patching, and disaster recovery testing, with a focus on automation and improvement opportunities.
• Champion cybersecurity best practices, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), least-privilege access, conditional access, and secure system configurations.
• Lead efforts to replace or upgrade existing systems and align IT infrastructure with business goals.
• Maintain and document IT processes, policies, and systems configurations (e.g., network diagrams, patch management, disaster recovery, security measures).
• Configure and manage firewalls, switches, wireless access points, VPNs, and other networking devices.
• Monitor, analyze, and act on system and security alerts, including those from Proofpoint and CrowdStrike platforms.
• Deploy and manage backup and recovery solutions, ensuring data integrity and business continuity.
• Create, maintain, and optimize PowerShell scripts and other automation tools to streamline repetitive IT tasks.
• Conduct regular network audits and implement corrective measures as needed.
• Manage and implement endpoint configuration tools, such as Automox, to ensure systems are secure and compliant.
• Provide exceptional customer support to internal stakeholders and assist in resolving IT-related issues in a timely manner.
• Author and maintain technical documentation using tools such as Microsoft Visio, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Stay informed of emerging IT trends and technologies and recommend relevant solutions for Penhall's needs.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to junior team members and support staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the manager.

Position Requirements Required Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• In-depth knowledge of Azure AD, including SSO, conditional access, synchronization methods, and group policy management.
• Expertise in cybersecurity measures, including endpoint protection, encryption, intrusion detection, and secure configurations.
• Strong experience with cloud platforms, particularly Azure, and performing premise-to-cloud migrations.
• Advanced skills in PowerShell scripting and other automation tools.
• Proficiency in managing virtualization platforms such as VMware or Azure.Networking expertise, including DHCP, DNS, VLANs, and troubleshooting using packet capture tools.
• Familiarity with enterprise backup solutions like Veeam and storage systems, including SAN and iSCSI technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

Essential Core Competencies

• Problem Solving: Ability to efficiently diagnose and resolve technical issues.
• Critical Thinking: Anticipates potential IT challenges and develops proactive solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in configurations, updates, and documentation.
• Communication Skills: Clearly explains technical concepts to stakeholders and creates comprehensive documentation.
• Team Collaboration: Works effectively with IT, development, and operations teams to achieve infrastructure goals.
• Customer Service Orientation: Delivers timely and effective support to end-users and stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Responds to evolving technologies and organizational priorities with flexibility.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems or a related field, or equivalent experience and certifications.
• Minimum of 5+ years of systems administration experience in an enterprise environment.
• Certifications such as Microsoft 365 or MCSE are preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to walk job sites when necessary.
• May be required to travel to job sites and other locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer Legal Disclaimer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions of the job.

Penhall Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, compensation inquiries, discussions or disclosures, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. (41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a))

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Penhall Company reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary.

AI-Assisted Hiring and Automated Decision Tool Disclosure

The Company may use Artificial Intelligence ("AI"), machine learning technologies, and/or automated decision-making tools to assist in certain aspects of the recruitment and hiring process, including reviewing applications, resumes, assessments, and candidate qualifications. These tools are used to support the evaluation process and are not used as the sole basis for employment decisions.

All employment decisions are ultimately made by qualified Company representatives. The Company maintains human oversight of hiring decisions and does not permit automated systems to make final employment determinations independently.

The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity and to complying with all applicable federal, state, and local employment, privacy, and anti-discrimination laws. The Company does not intentionally use AI systems in a manner that unlawfully discriminates against applicants or employees based on any protected characteristic under applicable law.

Applicants may request reasonable accommodations, alternative evaluation methods, or additional information regarding the Company's use of automated tools by contacting Human Resources.

Where required by applicable law, the Company may provide additional notices regarding the use of automated decision-making tools, data practices, retention periods, or bias audit information.