Senior Systems Administrator/Engineer - Windows

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Senior Systems Administrator/Engineer - Windows for a CONTRACT assignment with one of our premier Regulatory clients in Rockville, MD or Tysons, VA.

The Senior Systems Administrator/Engineer works under minimal supervision to design, implement, and maintain enterprise Windows infrastructure across hybrid cloud environments and on-premises data centers. This role combines traditional systems administration with modern DevOps practices, leveraging virtualization technologies, multi-cloud platforms (AWS/Azure), and AI-powered tools to ensure Infrastructure meets defined quality standards while driving operational excellence and innovation.

Responsibilities :

• Review and analyze process and system specifications to ensure delivery requirements are met across hybrid Windows environments.
• Designs, implements, customizes, maintains and administers Windows operating systems and system software products in physical, and virtual environments.
• Architect and manage virtualized infrastructure using VMWare and Hyper-V
• Design and implement cloud infrastructure solutions on AWS (EC2, Workspaces, Systems Manager, CloudWatch, IAM) and Azure (Virtual Machines, Virtual Desktop, Azure AD) following cloud-native architecture principles.
• Recommends enhancements and updates/patches to Windows operating systems, system software products, virtualization platforms, and cloud infrastructure components.
• Ensure the Company's Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) metrics are sustained and improved through proactive monitoring, automation, and continuous optimization across hybrid environments.
• Implements and updates monitoring tools for Windows systems, virtualized environments, and cloud resources using industry-leading platforms and AI-enhanced observability solutions.
• Monitors operating system and cloud infrastructure performance to achieve optimum performance levels, utilizing AI-powered analytics to predict and prevent issues.
• Leverages AI tools to enhance personal and team productivity , including using AI assistants for code generation, documentation creation, troubleshooting assistance, configuration management, log analysis, and automated reporting.
• Implements AI-driven automation for routine tasks , incident response, and predictive maintenance to improve team efficiency and reduce manual effort.
• Recommends new monitoring approaches and tools , including AI/ML-based anomaly detection and automated remediation solutions. Develop and present related documentation, presentations, and discussion.
• Document test plans as well as create/revise and execute Powershell, Python, or other scripting languages for automation and infrastructure-as-code implementations.
• Test and analyze infrastructure setup including VMWare/Hyper-V environments, AWS and Azure cloud services, and hybrid networking configurations.
• Oversee implementation of security guidelines to prevent unauthorized access to Windows servers, virtualized environments, and cloud resources, and report any violations following zero-trust principles.
• Perform field level hardware repairs and upgrades for physical Windows servers and coordinate cloud infrastructure scaling operations.
• Interface with other team members and other teams to ensure technology solutions and staff are aligned with customer expectations and overall technology vision, including DevOps, Security, and Application Development teams.
• Document and communicate status in a timely manner including metric reporting through AI-assisted documentation tools and automated dashboards.
• Champion the collaborative resolution of defects. Work across organization to deliver solutions that meet joint requirements in hybrid Windows, virtualization, and cloud environments.
• Lead/Co-lead internal process improvement initiatives focused on automation, virtualization, and AI adoption. Provide feedback on processes by offering suggestions.
• Evaluate industry trends, standards and new technologies including emerging AI/ML tools, virtualization technologies, cloud services, and Windows ecosystem innovations to recommend change.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff in project-level tasks , Windows administration best practices, virtualization and cloud operations, and effective use of AI productivity tools.
• Assist with adherence to technology policies and comply with all security controls across Windows systems, container platforms, and cloud environments.
• Ensure all work products meet/exceed standards for Windows infrastructure, virtualization, cloud architecture, and operational documentation.
• Participate in periodic Disaster Recovery (DR), Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) testing and reporting, including validation of backup/recovery procedures.
• Manage vendor relationships and related budget for Windows enterprise support, cloud service providers (AWS/Azure), virtualization platforms, monitoring tools, and AI-powered solutions.
• Demonstration of firm values.
• Collaboration, both in-person and virtually , in furtherance of firm mission of investor protection and market integrity

Required Skills :

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related discipline with at least five (5) years of related experience, or equivalent training and / or work experience.
• Past senior level systems administrator experience in a production data center environment.
• Knowledge of industry leading monitoring and diagnostic tools
• Knowledge of at least one operating system and at least one contemporary scripting language.
• Knowledge of communication and network technologies.
• Exposure to common operational practices like metrics reporting, change management, incident management, problem management and communication ITIL & ISO:9000 framework experience/certification preferred.
• Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships that improved the quality of work products.
• Should be well organized, thorough, and able to handle competing priorities.
• Ability to maintain focus and develop proficiency in new skills rapidly.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.

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