Senior Systems Engineer
IBM
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Job summary
IBM is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to own end-to-end identity, infrastructure, automation, and zero‑trust systems across a fast‑moving tech environment. You’ll admin IdP infrastructure (Okta/Azure AD), govern access via SailPoint, and manage AWS/Azure/GCP with RBAC and security controls while collaborating with security, infra, and compliance teams to stay audit‑ready.
Strong automation skills (Python/shell, GitOps) and excellent communication are essential to succeed in this hybrid role
Qualifications
- 5+ years in systems, identity, or cloud engineering at a fast-moving tech or SaaS company.
- Hands-on IdP administration with Okta and/or Entra ID at scale.
- Strong knowledge of SAML, OAuth/OIDC, and SCIM provisioning.
- Experience with SailPoint or similar IGA tools and access reviews.
- Multi-cloud IAM/RBAC across AWS, Azure, and GCP; network security controls.
- Experience with VPN/SASE tooling (GlobalProtect, Prisma Access).
- Familiar with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 administration.
- Experience supporting FedRAMP, SOC 2, ISO 27001 audits or controls.
- Automation mindset with Python/shell and GitOps/IaC workflows.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end identity, infrastructure, automation, and zero-trust systems.
- Administer IdP infrastructure, including SAML/OIDC and group rules.
- Lead identity governance and quarterly access reviews.
- Manage multi-cloud environments with RBAC and policy controls.
- Architect and administer zero-trust network security platforms.
- Oversee SaaS platforms like Google Workspace, GitHub Enterprise, and AVD.
- Drive compliance activities and evidence collection for audits.
- Create runbooks and architecture docs to reduce tribal knowledge.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
We’re not just building better tech. We’re rewriting how data moves and what the world can do with it. With Confluent, an IBM Company, data doesn’t sit still. Our platform puts information in motion, streaming in near real‑time so companies can react faster, build smarter, and deliver experiences as dynamic as the world around them.
It takes a unique mix of drive and curiosity to join this team. We’re here to tackle complex problems, get stuff done, and enjoy the ride while we do it. No egos, no solo acts—just sharp, collaborative humans working hard, celebrating the wins, and building the future together.
We’re looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who can own systems end‑to‑end: designing, hardening, and running the identity, infrastructure, automations, and zero‑trust systems that every employee depends on. You’re as comfortable untangling an OAuth scope issue in Okta as you are architecting a Global Protect rollout or leading a FedRAMP access review. You default to automation and documentation over one‑off fixes, and you know how to partner with security, infrastructure, and compliance teams to keep a fast‑moving company both productive and audit‑ready.
Identity & Access Management: administer and evolve enterprise IdP infrastructure across Okta (SAML/OIDC, SCIM, group rules, Auth Policies)
Identity Governance: own identity governance processes in SailPoint (account aggregation, flatfile integrations, manual account correlation) and lead quarterly User Access Reviews (UARs)
Multi‑Cloud Administration: administer and govern AWS, Microsoft Azure, and GCP environments, including RBAC roles, subscription provisioning, VPC Service Controls, service accounts, and IAM policy resets
Zero Trust & Network Security: Architect and administer Palo Alto Networks security platforms (GlobalProtect/Prisma Access), including Host Information Profile (HIP) check rules, connector configuration, split‑tunneling/resource routing, URL/IP allowlisting, and egress IP management across standard and FedRAMP environments.
SaaS, AI & Developer Platforms: administer Google Workspace (Domain‑Wide Delegation, service accounts, API controls), GitHub Enterprise IAM, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Glean AI agent connectors, and Workato integrations
Security Audits & Compliance: lead technical evidence collection and remediation for UARs and other access reviews, enforcing least‑privilege and Just‑in‑Time (JIT) access patterns
Automation: identify recurring manual work across identity, cloud, and access processes and build scripts or integrations (Okta Workflows, Python/shell, Workato) to eliminate it
Escalate and partner with security, infrastructure, and network engineering on complex or cross‑system issues, with clear, well‑documented context
Author and maintain runbooks and architecture documentation so the systems you own don’t depend on tribal knowledge
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
- 5+ years of experience in systems, identity, or cloud engineering, ideally at a fast‑moving tech or SaaS company
- Enterprise IdP administration: hands‑on, at‑scale experience with Okta and/or Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)
- Authentication protocols: solid working knowledge of SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0 / OIDC (including Authorization Code with PKCE and Client Credentials / 2‑legged flows), and SCIM provisioning
- Identity governance: experience with SailPoint (IdentityIQ/IdentityNow), Saviynt or a comparable IGA tool, including account correlation and access reviews
- Multi‑cloud: working experience across AWS, Azure, and GCP — IAM/RBAC, service accounts, subscription/project provisioning, and network security controls (e.g., VPC Service Controls)
- Zero Trust & Network Security: Experience administering Palo Alto Networks enterprise VPN and SASE solutions (GlobalProtect, Panorama, and Prisma Access)—including HIP policy management, gateway troubleshooting, egress NAT management, and network‑level access controls.
- SaaS administration: experience administering Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 at an organizational level, including domain‑wide delegation and API security controls
- Compliance exposure: experience supporting audits or controls for frameworks such as FedRAMP, SOC 2, or ISO 27001
- Automation mindset: comfort with GitOps/IaC workflows and scripting (Python, shell, or similar) to replace manual, repetitive work
- Excellent written and verbal communication; able to explain technical tradeoffs clearly to engineers, auditors, and non‑technical stakeholders alike
- Strong troubleshooting instincts and comfort owning ambiguous, cross‑system problems through to root cause
Experience with GitHub Enterprise administration (SSO mapping, team synchronization, repo access governance, audit logging)
Experience with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) or other VDI environments
Familiarity with Jamf or Intune for device lifecycle and endpoint management
Experience integrating enterprise AI tools or agents (e.g., Glean) with existing identity and SaaS systems
Relevant certifications (AWS/Azure/GCP, Okta Certified Professional, CISSP, or similar)
Exposure to additional compliance frameworks such as IRAP
IBM Finance & Operations (F&O) provides critical capabilities that enable IBM to operate as a data‑driven enterprise powered by intelligent workflows. Our teams span Finance, Transformation & Operations, Strategy, and Mergers & Acquisitions. We partner across the company to drive business performance, enterprise transformation, and long‑term growth. Through data‑driven insights, innovative solutions, and strategic execution, we help IBM deliver greater value to clients, partners, employees, and shareholders.
In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.
Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.
Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on‑going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can‑do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.
Are you ready to be an IBMer?
IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.
Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.
At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.
IBM is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:
- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI‑driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry‑recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.
This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.
IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full‑time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job‑related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro‑rated for those who start working during the calendar year.
POUGHKEEPSIE, LOWELL, ROCHESTER, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, Armonk, DURHAM, Raleigh, San Jose, Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, WASHINGTON, Cambridge, Chicago, New York
Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, Iowa, New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, California, West Virginia, District of Columbia
United States
Hybrid
Software Engineering
Regular
Regular
114,000.00
212,000.00
Professional
—
(0147) International Business Machines Corporation
General (daytime)
Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?
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