Systems Administrator

Role: Systems Administrator

Location: Wood Dale, IL

Pay Rate Range: $100,000-$110,000/year

Our client is looking for a Systems Administrator to join their team.

The Systems Administrator will be responsible for maintaining, improving, and modernizing the company's IT infrastructure across its manufacturing and office environments. This is a hands-on role focused primarily on infrastructure, networking, and systems administration, with occasional Help Desk support as needed.

The position will assess and improve the company's existing network environment, including updating and maintaining Palo Alto firewalls, replacing and upgrading Cisco switching equipment, and troubleshooting and redesigning the Cisco wireless network. The role will identify and resolve existing wireless connectivity issues and reengineer the wireless infrastructure to improve reliability, performance, and coverage.

The Systems Administrator will also lead efforts to identify and upgrade systems that are not currently running Windows 11, ensuring desktops and other applicable endpoints are brought up to current standards. Additionally, the role will review and improve Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Intune policies, configurations, and device-management practices to strengthen security, consistency, and overall management of the company's Microsoft environment.

While the primary focus will be infrastructure and systems administration, the successful candidate will be a versatile IT professional who is comfortable jumping between networking, security, Microsoft technologies, endpoint management, and occasional end-user support. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, troubleshooting complex issues, and taking ownership of projects that improve the company's overall IT environment.

• Administer and maintain a 100% Windows-based IT environment.
• Manage Windows Servers, Windows desktops, and associated infrastructure.
• Administer Microsoft Active Directory, including users, groups, permissions, Group Policy, and authentication.
• Perform operating system updates, patching, maintenance, and system upgrades.
• Troubleshoot server, workstation, application, and infrastructure issues.
• Maintain accurate system documentation, configurations, procedures, and network diagrams.

• Configure, administer, troubleshoot, and maintain Cisco network switches and related networking equipment.
• Support and troubleshoot Cisco wireless/Wi-Fi infrastructure.
• Monitor network performance, connectivity, and availability across corporate and manufacturing locations.
• Troubleshoot VLANs, TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, routing, and other network connectivity issues.
• Support network expansion, upgrades, and infrastructure projects.
• Work with vendors and service providers to resolve network and connectivity issues.

• Administer and support Palo Alto firewalls and associated security policies.
• Assist with firewall rule management, VPN connectivity, network security, and troubleshooting.
• Support endpoint security, patch management, access controls, and other cybersecurity initiatives.
• Monitor and respond to infrastructure-related security events as appropriate.
• Follow established security, change-management, and access-control procedures.

• Support the company's Microsoft 365 environment.
• Assist with Microsoft 365 administration, configuration, troubleshooting, and user support.
• Support services such as Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, One Drive, and related Microsoft 365 technologies.
• Troubleshoot Microsoft 365 access, authentication, connectivity, and application issues.
• Work with other members of the IT team on Microsoft 365 projects and improvements.

• Provide occasional hands-on assistance to the Help Desk when additional technical support is needed.
• Troubleshoot Windows desktop, laptop, peripheral, printing, connectivity, and application issues.
• Assist with escalated end-user issues that require systems or network administration expertise.
• Utilize Attera for ticket management, documentation, and tracking of IT support activities.
• Work collaboratively with Help Desk personnel to resolve issues and improve the overall user experience.
• Help Desk responsibilities are expected to be periodic rather than the primary focus of the position.

• 3+ years of experience in systems administration, network administration, or a similar infrastructure-focused IT role.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Windows Server and Windows desktop environments.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Active Directory.
• Experience supporting Microsoft 365/M365 environments.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco networking equipment, particularly network switches.
• Experience administering or troubleshooting Cisco Wi-Fi/wireless infrastructure.
• Experience with Palo Alto firewalls.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, and wireless…