Systems Administrator IV

POSITION SUMMARY:   

The Senior Systems Administrator IV is the top-level technical authority responsible for the architecture, strategy, security, resiliency, and lifecycle management of enterprise server and infrastructure platforms. This role goes beyond operational administration to provide technical leadership, long-range planning, and cross-functional influence to ensure infrastructure solutions align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity standards. The position recommends, develops, tests, implements, supports, secures, and monitors all administrative functions for the efficient operation of enterprise servers based primarily on Microsoft Windows server operating systems. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

(This list is not intended to detail all aspects of the assigned work but is representative of the job’s overall responsibilities) 

• Serve as the enterprise subject-matter expert and technical authority for Microsoft-based server platforms and supporting infrastructure. 
• Architect, design, implement, secure, and optimize complex Windows Server environments, including Microsoft Windows servers running Exchange, SQL Server, IIS, Privileged Access Management (PAM), Remote Desktop Manager, and other enterprise computing services.  
• Lead in-team LODO projects, and set direction and assign deliverables to peers, demonstrating overall work execution accountability. 
• Perform advanced root cause analysis, diagnostics, and resolution of complex system faults, including account and security group management, disk space adjustments, backup and restore oversight, security configuration, and server build and upgrade processes.  
• Define, implement, and regularly test enterprise disaster recovery, business continuity, and backup strategies to meet organizational risk tolerance, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.  
• Design, implement, and maintain the VMware virtualized server farm. • Oversee the evaluation, selection, and technical negotiation of infrastructure hardware, software, and services; provide technical leadership and quality assurance for third-party vendors and consulting partners.  
• Lead infrastructure modernization initiatives, including automation, monitoring, cloud/hybrid integrations, and tooling standardization to improve availability, resiliency, and operational efficiency.  
• Establish and enforce enterprise standards, architectures, policies, and best practices for backups, servers, communications software/hardware, email servers, and cloud-based systems.  
• Architect, govern, and optimize secure remote access solutions, including VPN and privileged access technologies, ensuring scalability, performance, and compliance with enterprise security and federal requirements.  
• Define, standardize, and lead the enterprise monitoring, alerting, and management tool strategy for server and infrastructure platforms, evaluating and selecting tools, establishing performance and availability metrics, and using data-driven insights to proactively improve system reliability, capacity, and operational efficiency.  
• Provide enterprise-level oversight and strategic planning for server and infrastructure hardware and software, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, cost-effective, and aligned with current and future business requirements. Lead lifecycle planning, capacity forecasting, and modernization initiatives in partnership with IT leadership and business stakeholders.  
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes; proactively recommend and influence strategic initiatives.  
• Provide advanced-level 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-level support to the Help Desk in incident and problem resolution.  
• Lead and coach junior and mid-level administrators, establish documentation standards, and lead cross-training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.  
• Act as backup for the Technical Services Manager with day-to-day departmental operations. 
• Other duties as directed. 

JOB SCOPE:  

The position operates with broad autonomy and enterprise accountability.  The role is accountable for ensuring high level of server availability, scalability, and security of mission-critical server environments.  Decisions and action directly impact operational continuity, data integrity, regulatory compliance, contractual performance, and financial outcomes.  Failures in this role may result in significant business disruption, unrecoverable data loss, financial loss, or contractual penalties.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: No direct people management; however, the role provides technical leadership, mentoring, and work direction to internal staff and external partners. 

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:   

The interactions and communication are both verbally and written with IT team members, internal customers, and external customers.  This role has frequent interaction with IT leadership, technical teams, business stakeholders, vendors, auditors, and consulting partners. The individual regularly leads technical discussions, influences decisions without direct authority, negotiates infrastructure solutions and costs, and provides executive level updates, risk assessments, and recommendations.  

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:   

• Must work effectively in a team setting and be able to lead junior members and cross-train on various disciplines. 
• Expert-level knowledge of enterprise Windows Server environments and supporting infrastructure.   
• Hands-on  with server hardware, specifically Blade Servers and Storage Area Networks. 
• Advanced experience with networking and Cisco hardware preferred. 
• Advanced knowledge of computer operations hardware, internet connectivity, and integration with enterprise application systems. 
• Advanced understanding of enterprise networking concepts with the ability to provide architectural guidance, troubleshooting complex issues, and partner with network specialists to design secure, scalable solutions. 
• Advanced problem-solving, analytical, and root-cause analysis skills. 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and implement solutions. 
• Ability to prioritize and manage complex tasks across competing demands with minimal supervision. 
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, staff, internal and external customers, vendors, and consultants. 
• Strong informal influence skills: the ability to succeed in accomplishing tasks when the performers are not necessarily in the direct line of authority. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Demonstrated creativity, initiative, and independent judgment in complex environments. 
• High-level of business and technical acumen demonstrated in leading meetings and projects where team collaboration and training is required and expectation-setting is necessary 
• Effectively communicate to all levels of the organization, including presenting issues with solutions to Executive Leaders. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field is strongly preferred; equivalent combination of technical education and work experience considered. 
• At least ten (10) years of direct Windows system administration and network administration experience utilizing the following: Citrix, VMWare ESXi server, TCP/IP, MS Windows Server, MS Exchange, MS Threat Management Gateway, MS SQL Server, IIS, MS client OS’, wireless technologies, MS Office 365 / GCC High, and have working knowledge of VMWare ESXi Server, Linux, and F5 firewall.  
• Expert technical administration knowledge of Privileged Access Management (PAM), Remote Desktop Management (RDM) software. 
• Experience with Cisco routers/switches a plus. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:   

• Current MCSE or equivalent is required (or obtained within 1 year of hire-date).   
• VCP certification is preferred.   
• Current CCNA or CCNP strongly preferred. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Work is conducted in a remote work setting and in a dynamic, fast-paced office setting with moderate to loud noise levels from production activity in the shipyard. The individual may be required to be in production areas in yard and onboard ships. He/she must be able to walk to and from job sites. The person must be able to climb inclined stairways and vertical ladders. The incumbent may be bending, twisting and crouching when installing networking hardware. The person may be required to lift up to 25 pounds. Good finger, hand and wrist dexterity required for extensive computer operations. The person must have good hand-eye coordination and may spend extended time sitting in front of a computer terminal. He/she may be required to work more than 8-hour shifts and weekend work. There may be local travel and out-of-town travel (including air travel) up to 5% of the time with notice. Reasonable  accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Vigor and its wholly owned subsidiaries are committed to inclusion and diversity by providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veterans, age, genetics, the presence of a physical or mental condition or disability that can be reasonably accommodated,