Windows Systems Architect - Senior / Intermediate

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan is seeking a Windows Systems Architect (Senior/Intermediate) to lead design and governance of Windows Server and VMware environments in a hybrid cloud setting. The role collaborates with architecture, security, networking, and storage teams to ensure high availability, security and HIPAA/NIST compliance across on‑prem and cloud workloads.

Responsibilities include developing automated server build processes, cloud standards alignment, and ongoing optimization of Windows and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience implementing and managing Windows Server solutions in an enterprise environment.
• Expert level knowledge of Windows operating systems (2012, 2016, 2019).
• Strong experience in automation of server deployment, common tasks and procedures.
• Expert level experience with PowerShell scripting and automation.
• Experience with Cloud architecture / Deployments.
• Experience using Ansible, vRealize Automation or similar products.
• Experience deploying, maintaining, and supporting high performance Windows systems.
• Experience in deploying guest Windows servers in VMware virtual environment.
• Experience in managing Server Hardware Management software.
• Strong security awareness.
• Experience with networking technologies, particularly as they pertain to managing Windows systems and applications running on these systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels within the organization.
• Willing to participate in on-call rotation.

Responsibilities

• Provides senior level expertise on decisions and priorities regarding the enterprise's overall systems architecture.
• Architects and implements solutions requiring integration of multiple platforms, operating systems and applications.
• Reviews, conducts research, evaluation, advises, and designs on enterprise software and hardware technologies.
• Evaluates system options, risks, costs versus benefits, service level requirements and impact on business processes.
• Partners with business analysts, systems analysts, process managers and engineers in requirements gathering and reviews.
• Facilitates technical discussions to produce an optimal high level conceptual design.
• Defines and discerns key aspects of a problem and develops integrated solutions.
• Maintains technical architecture artifacts for standards and changes.
• Proposes changes in process, policy, and standards as they relate to architecture or service.
• Partners with Automation team to develop standardized Windows Server builds for on-premises and cloud workloads.
• Collaborates with Cloud Architecture on Azure standards and lifecycle functions.
• Performs on-call rotation and handles service requests for Windows/Cloud/VMware hosting.

Skills

Windows Server

PowerShell

Automation

VMware

Azure

Hybrid Cloud

Security awareness

Networking basics

Team collaboration

SCCM/SCOM

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Ansible

vRealize Automation

Job description

Windows Systems Architect - Senior / Intermediate

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Division Overview

The HITS Windows and VMware Services Team at Michigan Medicine is seeking a candidate to fulfill the role of Systems Architect Senior.

The Windows and VMware Services team is responsible for leading the design, support and governance of Michigan Medicine's Windows and VMware environments. This role ensures that Windows Server Operating systems and VMware virtualization environments are secure, cost-efficient, and aligned with organizational goals, supporting clinical, research, and administrative functions.

Reporting to the Manager of Windows and VMware Services, the Systems Architect Senior provides technical knowledge for the implementation of operating system deployments, security architecture, hybrid cloud solutions, and on-premises virtualization. The Systems Architect Senior collaborates closely, and works in partnership with Architecture, Security, Networking, Application, UNIX, and Storage teams to ensure seamless on-premises and Cloud integration. This role is responsible for maintaining high availability, performance, and compliance with industry regulations such as HIPAA and NIST.

The Windows Hosting Services Team within HITS Enterprise Infrastructure (EI) is responsible for overseeing strategic direction, operational excellence, and continuous improvement of Windows and VMware Services at Michigan Medicine. This is a team of 13 IT professionals, including senior systems architects and technical support staff, in managing a complex environment of over 3,500 Windows servers across physical and virtual (VMware) platforms, Azure Cloud, as well as critical infrastructure services such as Microsoft Exchange and Cisco hardware management within MM Datacenters.

Job Summary

Health Information Technology & Services (HITS) plays a role in the success of Michigan Medicine by providing clinicians, educators, researchers, students, and staff with technology-related information, products, and support. HITS also provides institutional expertise related to IT strategy, security, infrastructure, and resource management.

Responsibilities*

• Provides senior level expertise on decisions and priorities regarding the enterprise's overall systems architecture. Primary areas of focus are within Public Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, Continuity & Resiliency, Windows OS, VMware Virtualization, and Automation.
• Architects and implements solutions requiring integration of multiple platforms, operating systems and applications across the enterprise. Reviews, conducts research, evaluation, advises, and designs on enterprise software and hardware technologies. Evaluates system options, risks, costs versus benefits, service level requirements and impact on the enterprise business process and goals.
• Partners with business analysts, systems analysts, process managers and engineers in requirements gathering and reviews. Facilitates technical discussions with application, infrastructure, and truster service provider teams to produce an optimal, high level, conceptual design for projects. Defines and discerns key aspects of a problem and develops an integrated solution within a broad business context of significant impact. Researches and maintains knowledge in emerging technologies and solutions, or service life-cycle and process frameworks to solve business problems. Ability to act autonomously and make decisions that influence business operations.
• Facilitates the establishment and implementation of standards and guidelines that guide the design of technology solutions. With input from others, develops documents and maintains technical architecture artifacts for integration and implementation of changes to technical standards. Proposes changes in process, policy, and standards as they relate to the architecture or service and design principles. Responsible for work that is complex and varied in nature.
• Partner with the Automation team to support and maintain standardized Windows Server operating system builds for both on-premises and cloud-based workloads. Responsibilities include developing and enhancing automated server build processes using technologies such as PowerShell, XAML, and Ansible Automation Platform.
• Partner with Cloud Architecture team on Azure cloud standards and various environment lifecycle and operational functions as it relates to the Cloud environment.
• Performs other operational duties to support the Windows / Cloud / VMWare hosting environment, which includes trouble tickets, small / medium / large customer service requests, on-call rotation, etc.

Required Qualifications*

Senior

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience implementing and managing Windows Server solutions in an enterprise environment.
• Expert level knowledge of Windows operating systems (2012,2016,2019).
• Strong experience in automation of server deployment, common tasks and procedures.
• Expert level experience with PowerShell scripting and automation.
• Experience with Cloud architecture / Deployments.
• Experience using Ansible, vRealize Automation or similar products.
• Experience deploying, maintaining, and supporting high performance Windows systems.
• Experience in deploying guest Windows servers in VMware virtual environment.
• Experience in managing Server Hardware Management software.
• Strong security awareness.
• Experience with networking technologies, particularly as they pertain to managing Windows systems and applications running on these systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels within the organization.
• Willing to participate in on-call rotation.

Intermediate

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2-3 years of experience implementing and managing Windows Server solutions in an enterprise environment.
• Willing to participate in on-call rotation.

Desired Qualifications*

• 7+ years of experience in managing and supporting large environment with Windows Server 2012 / 2016 Enterprise Servers in a complex, high availability, enterprise environment.
• Proven technical leader with solid operating system administration skills, and the ability to maintain a positive attitude while working in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Experience with SCCM and SCOM Management.
• Have experience in HA clustered application/SQL environments from a server build and operations perspective.
• Experience with VMware virtual server environments and configuring systems for maximum performance and operating flexibility.
• Strong Experience with Cloud architecture / Deployments.
• Experience with DNS management.
• Experience with server OS backup tools.
• Trained and experienced in Project Management.
• Relevant industry certifications: MCSE, VCP, Azure.
• Knowledge or working experience with ITIL concepts.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Work Locations

This position is being offered as a Hybrid position. There will be times that it will be appropriate for you to work from home. There will be other times that you will be required to work onsite for meetings.

May require working during non-business hours and on weekends.

On-Call rotation is required for this position

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Additional Information

We offer a benefits package that includes comprehensive training and career development opportunities, generous retirement savings plans, ample paid time off, and a wealth of family care support: https://careers.umich.edu/benefits .

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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