Senior System Administrator

Pinnacle99 INC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinnacle99 Inc. is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to manage and secure our on-premises IT infrastructure. The role emphasizes Windows Server environments, VMware virtualization, SQL Server, and core enterprise services in a fully onsite setting.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience across monitoring, backups, DR, and security, with strong troubleshooting and collaboration skills to support business-critical systems and end-user needs.

Qualifications

• 4+ years hands-on experience administering Windows Server environments.
• 4+ years managing VMware virtualization environments.
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.
• Experience with VMware ESXi and vSAN; familiarity with versions 8.x and 9.x.
• Experience administering Microsoft SQL Server, including SQL Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.
• Networking: AD, DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP.
• Experience supporting Microsoft 365, Exchange, and enterprise apps.
• Knowledge of backup/recovery, patching, and security best practices.
• Strong troubleshooting and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows Server environments.
• Administer and maintain VMware virtualization infrastructure (ESXi, vSAN).
• Administer Microsoft SQL Server (2016, 2019, 2022).
• Manage Microsoft 365, Exchange, and other business-critical apps.
• Monitor server performance, availability, and health; respond to incidents.

Skills

Windows Server

VMware

Microsoft SQL Server

Active Directory

Group Policy

DNS

DHCP

TCP/IP

Microsoft 365

Exchange

PowerShell

Backups/DR

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Tools

VMware ESXi

vSAN

Windows Server Management Tools

Job description

The Senior Systems Administrator is responsible for the administration, maintenance, security, and performance of the organization's IT infrastructure. This role focuses on Windows Server environments, VMware virtualization, Microsoft SQL Server, and core enterprise services. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on infrastructure experience, excellent troubleshooting skills, and the ability to support business-critical systems in a fully onsite environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows Server environments, with additional support for Linux servers.
• Administer and maintain VMware virtualization infrastructure, including ESXi and vSAN environments.
• Perform Microsoft SQL Server administration across SQL Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.
• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot third-party vendor software and enterprise applications.
• Monitor server performance, system availability, network connectivity, and infrastructure health.
• Administer Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, and file and print services.
• Manage Microsoft 365, Exchange, and other business-critical systems and applications.
• Perform system backups, validate recovery procedures, and support disaster recovery and business continuity initiatives.
• Apply operating system patches, security updates, and firmware upgrades to maintain system stability and security.
• Monitor system alerts, investigate incidents, and resolve infrastructure-related service requests and technical issues.
• Troubleshoot server hardware, software, virtualization, network, and application issues.
• Provide backup support for PC and mobile devices, including troubleshooting and end-user technical assistance.
• Maintain accurate infrastructure documentation, operational procedures, and IT asset inventories.
• Coordinate with third-party vendors and service providers to resolve technical issues and support infrastructure operations.
• Follow organizational security policies, access controls, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Respond to critical incidents and system outages as needed to maintain service availability.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on experience administering Windows Server environments.
• 4+ years of experience managing VMware virtualization environments.
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.
• Experience with VMware ESXi and vSAN; familiarity with versions 8.x and 9.x.
• Experience administering Microsoft SQL Server, including SQL Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.
• Working knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and TCP/IP networking.
• Experience supporting Microsoft 365, Exchange, and enterprise applications.
• Knowledge of backup and recovery processes, patch management, and infrastructure security best practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical teams, end users, and vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft certifications, such as Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate.
• VMware certifications.
• Experience with PowerShell scripting and infrastructure automation.
• Experience supporting disaster recovery, business continuity, and infrastructure recovery testing.
• Familiarity with enterprise monitoring tools and IT service management processes.

Key Technical Skills

• Windows Server: Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.
• Virtualization: VMware ESXi 8.x/9.x and vSAN.
• Database Administration: Microsoft SQL Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.
• Directory and Network Services: Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and TCP/IP.
• Microsoft Platforms: Microsoft 365 and Exchange.
• Scripting and Automation: PowerShell.
• Infrastructure Operations: Server monitoring, patching, backups, recovery, and disaster recovery.
• End-User Support: PC and mobile device troubleshooting and technical support.
• Security and Documentation: Infrastructure security best practices, technical documentation, and asset management.