Senior Systems Engineer - Remote

Kforce Inc is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for a remote contract role, preferably for candidates located in Austin, TX. The role focuses on modernizing a legacy Windows environment, specifically improving Active Directory and Group Policy configurations while ensuring system stability and security.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze the existing Active Directory environment, with a specific focus on:
• Group Policy structure
• Configuration sprawl
• Inconsistencies or outdated GPOs
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and harden AD configurations
• Improve AD hygiene and reduce long-term administrative risk
• Support upgrades of legacy Windows servers and systems
• Improve reliability and maintainability of older environments without breaking dependent services
• Plan and execute upgrades carefully in production environments
• Maintain and support:
• Windows Server environments
• Active Directory and authentication services
• Certificates/Certificate Authority (PKI)
• IIS/web server infrastructure
• Ensure foundational systems remain stable, secure, and well-maintained
• Evaluate existing configurations and recommend improvements
• Execute changes with minimal oversight and thoughtful risk management
• Document findings, improvements, and changes where appropriate

Requirements:

• Strong hands-on experience with Windows Server environments
• Active Directory expertise, especially: Group Policy analysis and cleanup (explicit priority)
• Experience managing certificates/PKI
• Experience supporting IIS/Windows-based web infrastructure
• Proven experience upgrading or modernizing legacy systems
• Comfortable operating independently in existing, imperfect environments
• Led or owned AD cleanup or restructuring efforts
• Experience standardizing environments that grew organically
• Strong troubleshooting skills in older or under-documented systems
• Ability to explain why changes were made, not just what was changed