Windows Server Engineer

Pantex Plant; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX seeks a Senior Windows Server Engineer to design, deploy, secure, and maintain Windows-based systems critical to national security. This role operates in a large enterprise, emphasizes cybersecurity, and collaborates with IT, engineering, and customer stakeholders.

Responsibilities include infrastructure design, automation with PowerShell and Ansible, SCCM/WSUS patching, AD/DNS/DHCP, and on-call support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in engineering/science discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree in engineering/science discipline.
• Alternative: if no bachelor's, may be considered with 10 years of education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, secure, and maintain Windows Server infrastructure.
• Lead high-availability configurations and compliant architectures.
• Develop automation workflows with PowerShell and Ansible.
• Manage OS deployments, patching, and software distribution via SCCM/WSUS.
• Administer Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and GPO; support virtualization.
• Provide after-hours on-call support and document procedures.
• Query SQL Server databases and aid integration.

Skills

PowerShell

Ansible

Automation

System administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/science

Master's degree in engineering/science

10+ years of combined education/experience

Tools

SCCM

WSUS

Enterprise patch management

Job description

Location: Amarillo, TX - Pantex Plant

Job Title: Windows Server Engineer

Career Level From: Senior Associate

Career Level To: Senior Specialist

Organization: Operating Systems (51130661)

Job Specialty: System Administration

What You’ll Do

As a Windows Server Engineer, you will support mission‑critical Information Technology (IT) infrastructure essential to the safety, security, and operational effectiveness of the United States nuclear weapons stockpile. Operating within a large, distributed enterprise environment, you will design, deploy, secure, and maintain advanced Windows‑based systems. The role requires rigorous adherence to cybersecurity standards, precise execution of engineering best practices, and close coordination with IT, engineering, project management, and customer stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure Architecture and Deployment

• Lead the design, installation, configuration, and optimization of internal and customer‑facing Windows Server infrastructure, ensuring scalability, reliability, and compliance with enterprise architecture standards.
• Implement system configurations that support high availability, resilience, and long‑term operational sustainability.

Automation, Configuration Management, and OS Lifecycle Engineering

• Develop, maintain, and refine automation workflows using PowerShell, Ansible, and related technologies to standardize system administration functions and improve operational efficiency.
• Manage operating system deployments, patching, and software distribution activities through Microsoft Configuration Manager and associated enterprise toolsets.

Core Windows Platform Administration

• Provide advanced administration and troubleshooting for Microsoft Active Directory, Group Policy, Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), file services, and virtualization platforms.
• Integrate, configure, and support both Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf (COTS) and proprietary applications within the Windows environment.

Security, Compliance, and Vulnerability Management

• Execute rigorous patching, system hardening, and vulnerability remediation processes aligned with organizational cybersecurity requirements and regulatory standards.
• Monitor system health using advanced diagnostic and monitoring tools to proactively identify performance bottlenecks, outages, and security events.

Operational Support and Documentation

• Provide after‑hours support through participation in a rotational on‑call schedule, addressing critical incidents and conducting planned maintenance activities.
• Develop, update, and maintain comprehensive operational documentation, standard operating procedures, and user training materials to support continuity of operations.

Database Administration and Application Integration

• Utilize Structured Query Language (SQL) to query, analyze, troubleshoot, and support Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Assist with database maintenance, performance tuning, reporting, and integration activities supporting enterprise applications.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering/science discipline. Minimum 2 years of relevant experience.Typical engineering/science experience ranging from 3 to 7 years
• OR Master's degree in engineering/science discipline.
• OR applicants without a bachelor's degree may be considered based on a combination of at least 10 years of completed education and/or relevant experience..

Preferred Job Requirements

Operating System and Platform Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of current Microsoft Windows Server operating systems and core enterprise services including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP.

Automation and Systems Management

• Strong proficiency in PowerShell, Ansible, and automation‑driven system administration.
• Experience with System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and enterprise patch management workflows.

Infrastructure, Virtualization, and Storage

• Experience with virtualization technologies, backup and recovery architectures, and enterprise storage platforms such as Storage Area Networks (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS).
• Solid understanding of distributed computing environments and networking fundamentals.

Database and Application Support

• Working knowledge of SQL Server database management, query development, and performance troubleshooting.

Security and Operational Excellence

• Demonstrated expertise in implementing security controls and mitigating vulnerabilities across enterprise server environments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.

Communication and Collaboration

• Ability to collaborate effectively with customers, technical teams, and cross‑functional stakeholders, delivering solutions aligned with organizational priorities.

#JointheMission: Your Impact Starts Here

At Pantex, you won't just find a job—you’ll discover a career of purpose safeguarding national security through work performed nowhere else on Earth. We empower dedicated, innovative individuals like you to achieve their greatest impact surrounded by exceptional talent and limitless opportunities for professional growth.

When you #JointheMission, you choose a lifetime career where your commitment is genuinely valued and rewarded. At Pantex, we believe that extraordinary talent thrives when supported by a balanced life. Discover the flexibility that empowers you to excel, coupled with a benefits package designed for your total peace of mind from comprehensive health coverage and robust retirement planning, to opportunities for continuous learning through education reimbursement.

Notes

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence‑scope polygraph, pursuant to 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 709. Medical requirements may apply.

Pantex is a drug‑free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre‑placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to random selection for drug testing without advance notification.

Pantex is an equal opportunity employer, and does not tolerate discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law. Such terms and conditions of employment include, but are not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment. Pantex takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans; including disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active‑Duty wartime, or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.