This is a full-time role that will be onsite 5 days per week in Lewisville, TX.
Senior Systems Administrator / IT Infrastructure Lead - Leadership Succession Opportunity
Position Overview
A growing organization in the aviation industry is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Administrator / IT Infrastructure Lead to serve as its senior hands-on infrastructure expert and develop into a future IT leader. This position offers a planned path toward IT management while remaining actively involved in infrastructure design, implementation, security, support, and modernization. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with the communication skills, business judgment, and strategic perspective needed to take on increasing leadership responsibility. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges today while helping shape an organization’s long-term technology direction.
Key Responsibilities:
Infrastructure and Cloud Administration
- Administer Microsoft Windows Server and Windows desktop environments.
- Manage the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Microsoft Entra ID, and Intune.
- Maintain Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file and print services, and enterprise authentication.
- Administer Microsoft Azure services and contribute to cloud architecture and migration initiatives.
- Support VMware and/or Hyper-V virtualized environments.
- Manage backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions.
- Support network infrastructure, including switches, firewalls, wireless networks, VPNs, and internet connectivity.
- Evaluate practical opportunities to incorporate AI-enabled tools and solutions into business operations.
Enterprise Applications
- Support a Salesforce-based ERP environment, including user administration, security, integrations, and troubleshooting.
- Maintain other business-critical applications and coordinate with department leaders to resolve issues and improve workflows.
- Evaluate and implement technologies that increase productivity, operational efficiency, and business performance.
Cybersecurity and Compliance
- Lead cybersecurity initiatives involving endpoint protection, email security, vulnerability management, multifactor authentication, Conditional Access, identity protection, and data security.
- Monitor technology and security risks and recommend improvements to strengthen the organization’s security posture.
- Contribute to IT governance, policies, documentation, compliance activities, audits, and disaster recovery planning.
End-User Technology
- Provide advanced support for Windows desktops and laptops.
- Support Apple iPhones, iPads, iOS, macOS, and related cloud services.
- Manage endpoint and mobile-device security.
- Serve as the highest technical escalation point for complex infrastructure and end-user issues.
Leadership and Strategic Responsibilities (This position is expected to assume increasing IT leadership responsibility over time. Key responsibilities will include):
- Leading technical projects from planning through implementation.
- Mentoring and developing junior IT team members.
- Establishing IT standards, policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Participating in technology planning, budgeting, procurement, and vendor management.
- Building productive relationships with leaders across the organization.
- Presenting technology recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
- Identifying opportunities to improve business processes through technology.
- Helping develop the organization’s infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology roadmaps.
Required Qualifications
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible IT experience supporting business or enterprise environments.
- Advanced expertise in Microsoft Windows Server and Windows desktop administration.
- Extensive Microsoft 365 administration experience, including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Microsoft Entra ID, and Intune.
- Strong Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP administration experience.
- Experience administering Microsoft Azure cloud services.
- Experience supporting VMware and/or Hyper-V environments.
- Experience administering or supporting Salesforce, ERP, CRM, or comparable enterprise business applications.
- Experience supporting Apple mobile devices and related services.
- Strong knowledge of networking fundamentals, firewalls, wireless networks, and VPN technologies.
- Experience implementing or managing enterprise cybersecurity solutions.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to explain technical concepts and recommendations to nontechnical audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced PowerShell scripting and automation experience.
- Experience in aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, distribution, or another operationally complex industry.
- Experience with Salesforce-based ERP or industry-specific ERP platforms.
- Experience leading cloud migrations or infrastructure modernization projects.
- Familiarity with recognized cybersecurity frameworks and compliance practices.
- Experience with business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
- Vendor, contract, or technology-budget management experience.
- Relevant Microsoft, Azure, VMware, Cisco, or cybersecurity certifications.
Leadership Profile
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- A collaborative, hands-on leadership style.
- Strong decision-making skills and sound business judgment.
- Professional maturity, integrity, and accountability.
- Experience leading technical projects and influencing organizational change.
- The ability to balance immediate operational needs with long-term priorities.
- A service-oriented approach to working with employees and business leaders.
- The ability to build trust throughout an organization.
Career Growth Opportunity
This role is intentionally structured to offer a path into IT management. As the organization grows and the successful candidate demonstrates readiness, they may assume broader responsibility for technology planning, team leadership, vendor management, cybersecurity strategy, budgeting, and organizational development. The position offers the potential to advance into an IT Manager, Director of IT, or comparable technology leadership role.
What Success Looks Like
During the first year, the successful candidate will be expected to:
- Become a trusted technical authority for the organization’s infrastructure.
- Develop strong working relationships across business functions.
- Lead meaningful infrastructure, security, and modernization projects.
- Improve the documentation and standardization of IT systems and processes.
- Identify and recommend strategic technology investments.
- Demonstrate the technical judgment and leadership capabilities required to take on increasing management responsibility.
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