System Administrator

Title: System Administrator - Windows and VMWare

Location: Remote (United States)

Department: SRE

Job Description:

Why you:

The applicant must have a strong understanding of system administration with an excellent track record in troubleshooting and diagnostics.  The ideal candidate will be responsible for administering, maintaining, securing, and optimizing our clients' Windows server environments and VMware infrastructure. This role requires a strong technical foundation, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to ensure the stability, security, and performance of critical systems while providing effective technical support.

What you will be doing:

• Administer and maintain Windows Server environments (primarily Windows Server 2016, 2019 and later), including installation, configuration, patching, and performance tuning.
• Manage and support core Microsoft services, including Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Group Policy Objects (GPOs), DNS, NTP and DHCP.
• Manage and support VMware infrastructure, including vSphere, vCenter Server, ESXi hosts, VMware HA, and DRS configurations.
• Support and maintain virtual and physical server infrastructure within datacenter hosting environments.
• Perform monthly patching across multiple servers and ESXi hosts using centralized patch management tools and processes.
• Implement and maintain security best practices to protect systems and data; support vulnerability management processes.
• Provide technical support to clients, effectively troubleshooting and resolving issues related to Windows and VMware environments.
• Provide Problem Management support, including Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for client-impacting incidents and resolving complex underlying issues.
• Collaborate with team members on infrastructure planning, upgrades, migrations, and changes.
• Assist with server decommissioning and migration activities as required.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation for system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Coordinate effectively with vendors for technical support and procurement.
• Strong demonstrated work ethic with clear focus on customer success.
• Participate in an on-call rotation in an escalation capacity.

What we need from you:

• 8 to 10 years of overall experience in IT infrastructure administration, with at least 5+ years of hands-on experience in both Windows Server and VMware administration.
• Strong experience in Windows Server administration (Windows Server 2016, 2019 and later).
• Proficiency in VMware virtualization technologies (VMware vSphere, vCenter Server, ESXi, Update Manager, HA, DRS).
• Experience managing VMware datastores and familiarity with underlying storage concepts (e.g., SAN, NAS, iSCSI, NFS).
• Experience in PowerShell scripting for task automation and system administration.
• Understanding of core networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, Firewall basics).
• Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 support for critical systems.
• Proven experience supporting infrastructure within datacenter hosting environments.
• Strong troubleshooting methodology and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently as an Individual Contributor and manage tasks effectively.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., VCP-DCV, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or similar) are a plus.

What you will receive:

• Love your career: Competitive total rewards package. Blog during work hours; take a day off and volunteer for your favorite charity.
• Love your work/life balance: Flexibly work remotely from your home, there’s no daily travel requirement to an office! All you need is a stable internet connection. 
• Love your coworkers: Collaborate with some of the best and brightest in the industry!
• Love your development: Hone your skills or learn new ones with our substantial training allowance; participate in professional development days, attend training, become certified, whatever you like! 
• Love your workspace: We give you all the equipment you need to work from home including a laptop with your choice of OS, and an annual budget to personalize your work environment!  
• Love yourself: Pythian cares about the health and well-being of our team. You will have an annual wellness budget to make yourself a priority (use it on gym memberships, massages, fitness and more). Additionally, you will receive a generous amount of paid vacation and sick days, as well as a day off to volunteer for your favorite charity.

Hiring Disclaimer

• The successful applicant will need to fulfill the requirements necessary to obtain a background check.
• Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in any aspect of the selection process.

AI Disclaimer

Pythian may utilize Enterprise Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools or features throughout its hiring process. These tools help us manage high volumes of applications efficiently and may be employed to review applications, analyze resumes, and assist with other recruitment steps. While Pythian uses AI in its hiring process, it does not substitute for human judgment. Our Talent Acquisition Team reviews all AI-generated recommendations, and the system is subject to regular bias audits to ensure fairness and compliance with all applicable employment and human rights laws. All final hiring decisions are made by, and remain the responsibility of, human decision-makers. By applying for this position, you consent to Pythian’s use of these AI tools in the evaluation of your application. You have the right to request a human review of any solely AI-driven decision or to request an accommodation. Should you require further details regarding the processing of your data, please reach out to us.