Senior System Administrator
Irvine, CA

Job Description

Overview

General Purpose:

The Senior System Administrator role is a technical, hands-on position that requires working in data centers to support the infrastructure both onsite and remote locations. Strong troubleshooting skills across various technologies are required to analyze and resolve hardware and software problems in a timely and accurate fashion, and provide support to business users and other IT groups.

In addition, this position will be responsible for proactively planning and implementing processes and procedures to ensure the systems are built, configured, monitored and backed up using industry accepted best practices. This position requires interaction, training, leading and mentoring the junior members of IT Operations. This role will provide leadership and direction in the planning, organization and execution of IT independent projects.

Reports to (Supervisor/Manager):

Reports to Director, IT Operations.

Direct Reports:

None.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy & Planning

* Lead a team of System Administrators to manager the data center infrastructure.
* Provide input on ways to improve the stability, security, efficiency, and scalability of the environment.
* Collaborate with other teams and team members to develop automation strategies and deployment processes.
* Create and maintain documentation as it relates to system architecture, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
* Develop, implement and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for system administration, usage, and disaster recovery.
* Follow and update project plans, schedules, and related project documentation.

Acquisition & Deployment

* Design and deploy enterprise infrastructure, including servers, storage arrays, tape libraries, application appliances, switches, Firewalls, UPSs, and other hardware.
* Conduct research from vendors on data center products, services, protocols, and standards to remain abreast of developments in the data center/infrastructure industry.
* Research new and maintain existing technologies.
* Interact and negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure data center products and services.

Operational Management

* Proactively maintain and develop all Linux infrastructure technology to maintain a 24x7x365 uptime service.
* Respond to monitoring alerts/pages and troubleshoot problem areas as needed.
* Practice maintenance of infrastructure component inventory and related documentation and technical specifications information.
* Maintain and monitor nightly jobs, backups, server performance and provide system performance statistics and reports.
* Participate in managing system backup and recovery solutions.
* Adhere to IT access-management and change control procedures.
* Work well together in a team environment.

Peripheral Duties:

None.

Desired Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

* University degree in computer science or electrical engineering and/or
* 8+ years equivalent work experience.
* Certifications in Oracle/SUN, Microsoft (MSCE, MCP) or Cisco (CCNP, CCSP CCVP CCIP) a plus.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* The ideal candidate for the Senior System Administrator role will have primary experience with physical and VMware Linux/CentOS/LAMP environments and secondary with MS Server 2008,2012,2016, Active Directory and SQL support.
* The role also requires experience with storage arrays, backup technologies, general networking, O365, IT compliance, PowerShell and other scripting technologies critical in supporting IT DevOps, Business Services and custom integration platforms.
* Extensive knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems.
* Deep understanding of key protocols and systems such as: NFS, DNS, SMTP, SNMP, HTTP, DHCP, TCP/IP, HA, RAID, SAMBA, SOLARIS JUMP START.
* Understanding of and ability to script in: bash, PowerShell, Perl.
* Strong knowledge and ability to administer to the following applications: Sendmail, DNS, Veritas Volume Manager, Sun DiskSuite, Storage Area Networks.
* Strong desire to learn additional technologies such as: HP c7000 chassis and blades, HP-Ux RISC-based servers, Oracle Sparc-based servers, Citrix Servers, Hitachi and IBM storage arrays, LSI disk storage systems, Quantum/ADIC tape libraries, Brocade Fiber Switches, LANTRONIX Terminal Servers.
* Able to install, maintain and troubleshoot a variety of Linux operating systems, software applications and patches on virtual and bare metal servers.
* Linux integrations with Windows environments.
* Experience with Microsoft Active Directory implementations and troubleshooting.
* Antivirus solutions and VPN.
* Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
* Able to conduct research into server/storage issues and products as required.
* Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language.
* Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
* Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
* Able to effectively prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment.
* Strong customer service orientation.
* Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Bonus Skills:

* Knowledge of Veritas Netbackup and UniTrends.
* Solid experience with implementation and troubleshooting of Ethernet switching, application firewalls and load balancers.
* Solid experience with PKI leveraging public and private CAs.
* Able to maintain and troubleshoot reverse proxies.
* Able to setup, maintain and troubleshoot Citrix and Parallels environments.
* Implementation and support of storage arrays and storage networks.

Special Requirements:

* Working in computer data centers with computer equipment.
* This position requires working nights and weekends as necessary to minimize the impact of uptime of applications for maintenance activities.
* This position requires remote access (VPN) and on-call rotation (24x7).

Tools and Equipment Used:

Windows 10 PC, MS Office

Physical Demands:

* Sitting for extended periods of time.
* Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, power tools, and to handle other computer components. . Squat or crawl. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Required to crawl in under desks, raised floors, ceilings and racked equipment.
* Occasional inspection of cables in Computer Racks, floors and ceilings.
* Lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, servers, printers and other peripherals.
* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
* The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

* The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Selection Guidelines:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interviews and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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