Systems Engineer

Summary
The Systems Engineer’s role is to design, develop, implement, and maintain high performance and highly available information systems.  This role is responsible for the whole range of systems development and design functions from analyzing abstract problems, gathering requirements, and planning to designing, developing, implementing and maintaining the applicable solutions.  Systems Engineers are also responsible for providing documentation, sourcing and working with vendors, building processes to support solutions, and training users where required.
 

The Systems Engineer possesses strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, communication skills in addition to advanced high level and in-depth technical knowledge of system hardware and software, reporting of system capabilities, maintaining security and integrity of all of the organizations information systems.  Ideal candidates will also have a strong understanding of how IT impacts the business and the desire to influence strategy in order to provide better services throughout the organization.
 

Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning:
• Gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of existing systems; develop and implement strategies for improving or further leveraging these systems
• Work with executive team members, decision makers, and stakeholders to define systems requirements and goals, and to identify and resolve mission critical issues
• Participate in IT planning meetings, design sessions, and ad-hoc conversations to ensure constant progress and continually drive improvements to our platform

Acquisition & Deployment
• Perform cost-benefit and return on investment analyses for proposed systems to aid management in making implementation decisions
• Conduct research on software and systems products to justify recommendations and to support purchasing efforts
• Interact and negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure system-related products and services

Operational Duties:
• Provide Tier 3 escalation to Systems Administrators for all information systems issues
• Provide recommendations based on regularly gathered operations data to proactively guide projects for greatest impact and ensure new IT efforts are focused appropriately
• Design and deploy new systems, infrastructure, hardware, applications, and operating systems as well as enhancements to existing infrastructure and systems at all phases of the IT project development life cycle 
• Develop, implement and maintain policies, procedures and associated training plans for network resource administration, appropriate use, and disaster recovery
• Perform the necessary trade-off analysis (reliability, cost, schedule, etc.) of various design approaches and select an approach to maximize ROI
• Collaborate with IT, Support, and Development staff to ensure smooth and reliable operation of software and systems for fulfilling business objectives and processes
• Design and implement server, network device and security audits, backup procedures, and other recovery processes in accordance with the company’s security, disaster recovery and business continuity strategies
• Coordinate and perform in-depth tests, including end-user reviews, for modified and new systems
• Create and maintain documentation as it relates to system design, configuration, mapping, management and supporting processes
• Monitor and measure system performance; prepare and deliver system performance statistics and reports
• Provide orientation and training to end users for all modified and new systems where required
• Schedule and perform installation, maintenance, and improvements according to the requirements above
• Manage and maintain all servers, including e-mail, print, and backup servers and their associated operating systems and software for multiple offices and production data centers 
• Manage security solutions, including firewall, anti-virus, and intrusion detection systems for multiple offices and production data centers 
• Manage all network hardware and equipment, including routers, switches, hubs, and UPSs for multiple offices and production data centers 
• Provide guidance to junior members of the team 
• Participate in "on call" duty acting as senior escalation point when needed by on call junior IT staff members
 

Required Experience & Qualifications

Knowledge & Experience:
• 5 to 7+ years of experience building IT solutions from the design, planning, and procurement phases through to implementation, monitoring, and review
• Proven experience with IT systems and capacity planning, security principles, and general infrastructure management best practices
• Strong project management skills
• Advanced technical knowledge of current software protocols, Internet standards, networking, server, and storage technologies including:

• Web Application Technologies
• Windows Server/Networking
• Linux Servers/Network
• Active Directory
• IP Addressing, Routing and switching technologies and best practices
• DNS, DHCP, IIS, VPN
• Virtualization - VMWare ESXi and MS HyperV
• SQL Server
• Server Clustering and H/A concepts
• SaaS architecture
• Load Balancing concepts and practices
• Security and firewall technologies and practices
• Storage Technologies(SAN, NAS, iSCSI, etc)
• Performance Monitoring and Optimization

• Desire and proficiency in keeping up to date with emerging IT technologies and trends
• Excellent networking and server troubleshooting experience
• Competence with documenting, flowcharting, and work item/project management tools and procedures
• Excellent understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives
• Knowledge of applicable IT security, confidentiality, and data privacy practices
• Working technical knowledge of specific network hardware, protocols, and standards, including BGP, HSRP, Cisco routers and switches, Cisco ASA's and PIX firewalls, Dell servers and storage, F5, Array Networks and NetApp
• VoIP Design Experience
• SaaS Application Infrastructure engineering experience

Formal Education & Certification:
• Highly Desirable

• Microsoft MCSE or higher
• Cisco CCNP or higher
• VMWare and Hyper-V Certifications
• F5 Certification
• Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems or similar focus

Personal Attributes:
• The ability and desire to actively participate in team discussions, design and planning sessions, and regular IT maintenance meetings is a must 
• Proven analytical and creative problem-solving abilities  
• Highly self-motivated and self-directed, creative and independent thinker with attention to detail as well as "big picture" perspective
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

Work Conditions:
• 24/7/365 on-call availability in response to escalations and service affecting incidents
• Occasional inspection of cables in floors and ceilings 
• Occasional time spent working in tight spaces, server rooms, racks, and telecom closets 
• Lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as computers, servers, network appliances and peripherals