Sr. IT Systems Administrator I (II)

PJM Interconnection, LLC; Audubon (IA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

PJM Interconnection, LLC is seeking a Microsoft Systems Administrator to manage Windows Server, AD/Entra ID, and cloud services in a hybrid environment. You will drive automation, security hardening, and CIP‑aligned compliance across on‑prem and Azure platforms.

The role requires expertise in PowerShell, Ansible, MECM/Intune, and virtualization (Hyper‑V/VMware), with a focus on reliability and continuous improvement. Strong collaboration across teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent experience in CS/engineering.
• Strong detail orientation and ability to produce high‑quality work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with Windows Server, Azure, Entra ID, and M365 security.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with PJM operations, markets, or planning functions.
• Familiarity with NERC CIP compliance and audit prep.
• Hybrid identity and enterprise automation experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage Windows Server infrastructure for high availability and performance.
• Administer Active Directory and Entra ID including GPOs and MFA controls.
• Support Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, and security configurations.
• Manage Azure services: Azure AD Connect, VMs, Backup, Monitor, RBAC.
• Drive automation with PowerShell, Ansible, MECM, Intune, and DSC.
• Develop automation playbooks and scripts to improve efficiency.
• Manage virtualization platforms Hyper‑V and VMware for performance and HA.
• Oversee VM lifecycles: provisioning, snapshots, migrations, decommissions.
• Implement security hardening and CIP‑aligned controls; patch management.
• Monitor health, analyze logs, troubleshoot across on‑prem and cloud.
• Maintain documentation for configurations, procedures, and audits.
• Collaborate with teams for deployments, cloud integration, modernization.

Skills

Windows Server

Active Directory

Azure AD

Entra ID

Microsoft 365

PowerShell

Ansible

Automation

Hybrid identity

Education

B.S. in Computer Science/Engineering

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

MECM

Intune

DSC

Hyper-V

VMware

Azure VM

Job description

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid - Audubon, PA. We are seeking a skilled Microsoft Systems Administrator to join our team and play a critical role in managing, securing, and optimizing our Windows‑based and cloud‑integrated infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on compliance with NERC CIP (North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection) standards. The ideal candidate will have deep experience with Windows Server administration, Active Directory, Entra ID, Azure services, Microsoft 365, automation (PowerShell and Ansible), virtualization technologies, patching, security hardening, and enterprise configuration management. This position requires a proactive approach to problem‑solving, system reliability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across both on‑premises and cloud Microsoft platforms.

Essential Functions:

• Design, implement, and manage Windows Server infrastructure to ensure high availability, reliability, and performance.
• Administer and enhance Active Directory and Entra ID, including OU structure, Group Policy, identity governance, conditional access, MFA, and privileged access controls.
• Support and manage Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, and security/compliance configurations.
• Implement and maintain Azure services such as Azure AD Connect, Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Backup, Azure Monitor, and role‑based access controls.
• Drive automation across on‑prem and cloud environments using PowerShell, Ansible, MECM, Intune, and DSC, focusing on provisioning, configuration management, compliance enforcement, patching, and operational workflows.
• Develop and maintain automation playbooks and scripts to improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and ensure consistent system configurations.
• Administer and support virtualization platforms, including Hyper‑V and VMware, ensuring optimal performance, resource allocation, and high availability.
• Manage virtual machine lifecycle operations — provisioning, configuration, snapshots, migrations, performance tuning, and decommissioning.
• Implement security best practices, including system hardening, vulnerability remediation, identity protection, and CIP‑aligned compliance controls.
• Perform patch management and software deployments across Windows and cloud environments in accordance with regulatory and security requirements.
• Monitor system health, analyze logs, and troubleshoot complex issues across on‑prem and cloud platforms to ensure stability and operational continuity.
• Maintain documentation for system configurations, procedures, and compliance evidence to support audits and regulatory obligations.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to support application deployments, cloud integrations, virtualization strategy, and infrastructure modernization initiatives.

Characteristics & Qualifications:

• Required Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent work experience
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce high‑quality work products
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with security practices for Windows Server, Azure, Entra ID, and Microsoft 365 environments
• Preferred MBA or advanced degree
• Experience with PJM operations, markets, or planning functions
• Experience supporting any PJM Committees
• Familiarity with NERC CIP compliance frameworks, evidence management, and audit preparation
• Experience with hybrid identity environments (Active Directory + Entra ID)
• Experience with enterprise automation platforms (PowerShell DSC, MECM, Intune, Ansible)

PJM employees work collaboratively to maintain the reliability of North America’s largest centrally dispatched electric grid and to operate one of the world’s largest competitive wholesale electricity markets. We seek talented candidates who thrive in a diverse, challenging and creative environment where they have opportunities to grow, learn new skills and build a career. Learn more about PJM by visiting the Learning Center. Discover your potential at PJM Interconnection! We are proud of our company’s history, culture and community. As the nation’s largest grid operator, the work we do every day requires every one of us. We recognize and appreciate the different abilities, backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, cultures and needs of each individual. If you're seeking a dynamic and supportive workplace that values innovation and creativity, we invite you to explore opportunities with our team.

Benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• 401(k) plan with 100% employer match up to 5% of salary
• Non-elective 401(k) employer contribution
• Vacation and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Business travel and accident insurance
• Child day care referral program
• Employee assistance program
• Adoption benefits recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, which has named PJM one of the best adoption-friendly energy and utility companies in America.