Senior Systems Engineer - TX

Kids for the Future; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Kids for the Future is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to design, implement, secure, operate, and modernize our core systems infrastructure in a hybrid Microsoft environment. You will mentor engineers, own disaster recovery, and drive sustainable automation and documentation practices.

Responsibilities include leading infrastructure projects, evaluating technologies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align IT with business goals.

Qualifications

• The candidate has a Bachelor's degree plus 8+ years designing and maintaining enterprise IT systems.
• Proven experience with cybersecurity posture and complex infrastructure.
• Ability to lead large technical projects and mitigate technology risks.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, administer, secure, and troubleshoot hybrid Microsoft infrastructure.
• Develop understanding of existing systems, configurations, and technical debt.
• Lead migration planning and implementation for virtualization architectures (e.g., VMware to Proxmox).
• Manage Windows Server, AD, Group Policy, Entra ID, M365, Azure, Exchange Online, Intune, Defender.
• Own identity infrastructure security, patching, backup, DR, and disaster recovery.
• Develop PowerShell scripts and automation for efficiency and scale.
• Serve as senior escalation resource and mentor engineers.
• Collaborate with Systems/Network/Cloud teams and document standards.

Skills

Windows Server

Active Directory

Group Policy

Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft 365

Azure

PowerShell

Automation

Security

Backup & DR

Infrastructure resiliency

Documentation

Networking fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or related field

8+ years of relevant experience

Tools

Proxmox

VMware vSphere

Job description

• Job Category Information Technology
• Employee Type FT Exempt

Description

The Senior Systems Engineer is a senior technical contributor responsible for designing, implementing, securing, operating, and modernizing the organization's core systems infrastructure. This hands-on role supports existing systems while helping develop next-generation solutions, serving as a senior escalation resource, mentoring engineers, and establishing sustainable documentation and operational standards.

Essential Job Functions

• Design, implement, administer, secure, and troubleshoot server and systems infrastructure across a hybrid Microsoft environment.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of existing systems, configurations, dependencies, integrations, and technical debt.
• Help design and implement next-generation server, storage, and virtualization architecture, including evaluating migration from VMware vSphere to Proxmox.
• Administer and support Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft 365, Azure, Exchange Online, Intune, Defender, and related Microsoft technologies.
• Maintain technical ownership of identity infrastructure, server security, patching, vulnerability remediation, backup, restoration, and disaster recovery.
• Develop PowerShell scripts and automation to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Serve as a senior escalation resource for complex infrastructure issues and lead cross-functional troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with Systems, Network, Endpoint, and Cloud Engineers while providing mentorship and technical guidance.
• Apply working knowledge of DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, switching, firewalls, and other networking technologies to troubleshoot infrastructure issues.
• Develop and maintain infrastructure diagrams, technical documentation, configuration standards, operational procedures, recovery documentation, and technical decision records.
• Identify undocumented or unsupported processes and systems and convert them into sustainable, repeatable practices.
• Evaluate technologies and vendors and recommend solutions based on business needs, security, reliability, lifecycle, and supportability.
• Lead infrastructure projects with the Vice President of IT and coordinate activities among internal teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Identify aging or inadequate infrastructure and recommend replacement or remediation strategies.
• Communicate technical issues, risks, options, and recommendations effectively to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Contribute to infrastructure strategy, technology roadmaps, and collaboratively established architecture decisions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft 365, and hybrid Microsoft environments.
• Strong experience with server virtualization and enterprise infrastructure.
• Strong PowerShell, automation, identity and access management, security, backup, disaster recovery, and infrastructure resiliency skills.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to diagnose complex issues spanning multiple technologies and infrastructure domains.
• Working knowledge of enterprise networking sufficient to collaborate with network engineering resources.
• Ability to evaluate technologies, solve complex problems, and develop practical technical recommendations.
• Strong documentation and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with legacy systems, technical debt, incomplete documentation, and ongoing change.
• Ability to mentor and provide technical leadership without direct management authority.
• Strong ownership, curiosity, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or related field, AND 8+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining enterprise IT systems while supporting a strong cybersecurity posture.
• Proven experience leading complex technical projects and developing strategies to identify and mitigate technology risks.
• Proficiency with cloud computing, networks, servers, security, and related infrastructure technologies.
• Proven ability to collaborate with stakeholders to achieve business objectives and technology strategies.