Senior Systems Engineer

Ascend Learning; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Wellness programs

Charitable matching

Job summary

Ascend Learning is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to implement and support our 24x7 systems infrastructure across hybrid offices in Leawood, KS or Burlington, MA. The role emphasizes technical excellence, documentation, and cross-team collaboration to ensure reliability and security.

The ideal candidate will have 6+ years in systems engineering, strong Windows Server, AD, VMware, and PowerShell scripting skills, plus Azure and Exchange Online experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/related field or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience as a Systems Engineer or Senior Systems Engineer.
• Advanced certifications preferred (e.g. MCSE, MCITP, VCP, CCEE, CCEA).
• Extensive experience with Windows Servers 2016 to current, Active Directory, GPO management, DNS/DHCP, and VMware.

Responsibilities

• Implement and support the organization’s systems infrastructure and cloud hosting platforms.
• Evaluate current systems environments, conduct research, recommend, and implement innovative systems technology that can enhance reliability, security, productivity, and efficiency of the IT infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain documentation of design, as well as ongoing operation and administration of systems infrastructure.
• Contribute to and maintain technical standards for systems infrastructure.
• Provide mentoring and act as an escalation point for junior engineers, administrators, and technicians.
• Provide third-tier support for incidents, service requests, and problems; update service desk tools accordingly.
• Assist other IT teams to troubleshoot critical business systems.
• Solve complex problems with many variables.

Skills

Windows Server

Active Directory

GPO management

DNS/DHCP

VMware

PowerShell scripting

Automation

Azure IaaS

Azure AD

Office 365 hybrid

Exchange Online management

Citrix XEN

ITIL processes

Communication

On-call rotations

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/related field

High school diploma or GED

Tools

VMware

Citrix XEN

Exchange Online

Job description

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Leawood, KS, US, 66211 Burlington, MA, US, 01803

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company,is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning.From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Ascend Learning is hiring for a Senior System Engineer. The Senior Systems Engineer will be responsible for the implementation and support of the company’s systems infrastructure. This position is highly technical in nature, requires excellent technical skills in a variety of competencies, and the ability to learn and adopt new technologies. The Senior Systems Engineer will join a team of highly motivated engineers who are passionate about technology. The team is responsible for supporting our 24x7 systems infrastructure.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule from one of our office locations in Leawood, KS or Burlington, MA.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

• Implement and support the organization’s systems infrastructure and cloud hosting platforms
• Evaluate current systems environments, conduct research, recommend, and implement innovate systems technology that can enhance the reliability, security, productivity, and efficiency of the IT infrastructure
• Develop and maintain documentation of design, as well as on-going operation and administration of systems infrastructure
• Contribute to and maintain technical standards for systems infrastructure
• Provide mentoring and act as an escalation point for junior-level engineers, administrators, and technicians
• Provide Third-tier support for the efficient resolution of systems-related incidents, service requests, and problems; and update service desk management tool accordingly
• Assist other IT functional teams to troubleshoot critical business systems
• Solve complex problems with many variables

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree in computer science, MIS, IS, related field or equivalent experience preferred.
• 6+ years of experience as a Systems Engineer or Senior Systems Engineer
• Advanced certifications preferred (e.g. MCSE, MCITP, VCP, CCEE, CCEA)
• Extensive experience with Windows Servers 2016 to current, Active Directory, GPO management, DNS/DHCP, and VMWare
• Significant experience with Powershell scripting and Automation
• Azure IaaS Cloud Environment and Azure AD experience
• Office 365 hybrid environment management and Exchange Online management
• Office 365 Security Tool Implementation and Management
• Citrix XEN platform management
• Experience with data center consolidation and migrations
• Knowledge of application load balancing strategies and advanced techniques for application delivery
• Knowledge and experience in application switching and traffic management
• Extensive knowledge of application requirements (such as persistence), SSL offloading and implementation of SSL certificates and keys, web acceleration, and TCP optimization
• Customer-centric attitude with internal and external customers
• High level of written communication and documentation skills
• Possess knowledge in ITIL processes such as Incident Management, Problem Management, Change Management, Release Management, Service Delivery, and Continual Service Improvement
• Must be disciplined, dynamic and flexible to manage multiple projects and tasks, work effectively in a rapidly changing environment and meet ongoing and overlapping deadlines
• Must be able to operate autonomously with little supervision to achieve desired goals
• Ability to work weekends/nights on occasion for maintenance and to participate in on-call support rotation

HIRING RANGE

The current full-time annualized hiring range for this role is $102,800.00-$147,070.00 and does not include discretionary bonus or sales incentives, if applicable. In accordance with applicable state laws, we are providing the expected salary range for this position. Individual compensation will be determined by various factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, current business needs and local market factors. Most regular, full-time employees are eligible to participate in an Ascend incentive bonus or sales plan.

BENEFITS

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Other employee wellness programs such as Headspace and Airvet
• Charitable matching program

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.