Senior Systems Engineer

IBM; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to own end-to-end identity, infrastructure, and security operations. You will design and run IdP systems, enable automation, and collaborate across security, infra, and compliance teams.

The role emphasizes enterprise-grade identity governance with SailPoint, and multi-cloud governance across AWS, Azure, and GCP. You will also manage security tooling such as GlobalProtect/Prisma Access, Google Workspace, and collaboration with DevOps to drive automation

Qualifications

• 5+ years of systems, identity, or cloud engineering experience.
• Hands-on enterprise IdP administration with Okta and/or Entra ID (Azure AD).
• Knowledge of SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0 / OIDC and SCIM provisioning.
• Identity governance experience with SailPoint and Saviynt or similar IGA tool.
• Multi-cloud experience across AWS, Azure, and GCP (IAM/RBAC).
• Zero Trust and network security with Palo Alto GlobalProtect/Prisma Access.
• SaaS administration experience (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).
• Familiarity with FedRAMP, SOC 2, ISO 27001 controls and audits.
• Automation mindset with GitOps/IaC and scripting (Python/shell).
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end systems including identity, infrastructure, automation, and security controls.
• Administer and evolve IdP across Okta and Azure AD; oversee SAML/OIDC and SCIM.
• Govern identity with SailPoint and perform quarterly access reviews.
• Manage multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) with proper IAM/RBAC.
• Architect and maintain Zero Trust security with Palo Alto products.
• Administer SaaS platforms (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) at org level.
• Lead security audits and ensure least privilege and JIT access.
• Automate recurring tasks with scripts and integrations (Python, Shell, Workato).
• Develop runbooks and architecture docs; collaborate across security, infra, and network teams.

Skills

5+ years experience

Okta admin

AzureAD / Azure Entra

SAML 2.0

OAuth 2.0 / OIDC

SCIM provisioning

SailPoint

Saviynt

AWS IAM

Azure IAM

GCP IAM

Palo Alto GlobalProtect

Prisma Access

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

FedRAMP

SOC 2

ISO 27001

GitOps

IaC

Python scripting

Communication

Troubleshooting

Tools

GitHub Enterprise

Azure Virtual Desktop

Jamf

Intune

Glean

AWS Certification

Azure Certification

GCP Certification

Okta Certified Professional

CISSP

Job description

Introduction

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.

Your role and responsibilities

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

Required technical and professional expertise

• 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

Preferred technical and professional experience

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 is committed to creating a diverse environment and 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, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.