System Support Engineer

Job Overview:

The Systems Support Engineer plays a crucial role in the design, implementation, administration, security, and upkeep of the organization's IT infrastructure. This encompasses servers, storage solutions, virtualization, networking, cloud services, backup systems, cybersecurity, and essential business services that underpin the studio's production environment.

This position guarantees the studio's infrastructure maintains high availability, performance, security, and scalability, collaborating closely with the Senior IT Desktop Support to deliver a robust technology platform for artists, production teams, and business users. The Systems Support Engineer also spearheads infrastructure initiatives, establishes IT standards, and fosters continuous enhancement throughout the organization's technology landscape.

Responsibilities:

Infrastructure Administration:

•  Design, implement, manage, and maintain the company's on-premise and cloud infrastructure.

•  Oversee primarily Linux servers alongside some Windows servers, virtual machines, and enterprise services.

•  Ensure the high availability, reliability, and performance of production systems.

•  Monitor system health, capacity, and performance, proactively identifying and resolving potential issues.

Server & Storage Management:

•  Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade both physical and virtual servers.

•  Administer enterprise storage solutions, including RAID, NAS, SAN, ZFS, and other storage technologies as necessary.

•  Manage file servers and production storage to ensure data integrity and optimal performance.

•  Conduct storage capacity planning and lifecycle management.

Network Administration:

•  Manage LAN, WAN, VPN, wireless networks, switches, routers, and firewalls.

•  Configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, and network security.

•  Administer pfSense firewalls, VPN services, and network security policies.

•  Monitor network performance and suggest infrastructure enhancements.

Identity & Core Services:

•  Administer Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and authentication services.

•  Manage user access policies and security groups.

•  Maintain Microsoft, Google Workspace, and related identity services as required.

Cybersecurity:

•  Maintain endpoint and network security measures.

•  Monitor system logs and security events.

•  Implement vulnerability management, patch management, and security best practices.

•  Support incident response and recovery following security incidents.

•  Maintain antivirus, endpoint detection, and access control systems.

Backup & Disaster Recovery:

•  Design and uphold backup and disaster recovery strategies.

•  Regularly test backup integrity and restoration processes.

•  Ensure business continuity plans remain up-to-date and effective.

•  Document recovery procedures and objectives.

DevOps & Production Infrastructure:

•  Support source control systems such as Apache Subversion (SVN) and Git where applicable, as well as proprietary internal software.

•  Maintain production infrastructure that supports animation pipelines.

•  Assist with automation and scripting to enhance operational efficiency.

•  Support render infrastructure and production systems as needed.

Monitoring & Automation:

•  Implement and sustain infrastructure monitoring solutions.

•  Develop scripts and automation tools using PowerShell, Bash, or Python.

•  Minimize manual administration through automation and standardization.

Documentation & Governance:

•  Maintain accurate documentation for infrastructure, configurations, SOPs, disaster recovery plans, and network diagrams.

•  Establish infrastructure standards and best practices.

•  Maintain IT asset records for infrastructure equipment.

Project Management:

•  Lead projects related to server, storage, networking, migration, and infrastructure upgrades.

•  Evaluate and recommend new technologies to enhance performance, security, and scalability.

•  Collaborate closely with vendors, service providers, and internal stakeholders.

•  Assist with budgeting and procurement for infrastructure equipment and software.

Leadership & Collaboration:

•  Provide technical mentorship to Desktop Support staff.

•  Serve as the escalation point for complex infrastructure challenges.

•  Participate in after-hours maintenance and emergency response as necessary.

Qualifications:

·      Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field.

·      At least 5 years of experience in Systems Administration or Infrastructure Engineering.

·      Significant experience managing Linux and enterprise Windows environments.

·      Strong knowledge of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, and Windows Server administration.

·      Extensive experience administering Linux systems, including Ubuntu and Rocky Linux.

·      In-depth knowledge of virtualization platforms such as VMware, Hyper-V, or Proxmox.

·      Experience managing enterprise storage technologies, including RAID, NAS, SAN, ZFS, etc.

·      Solid understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, VPNs, switching, and firewalls.

·      Experience configuring and maintaining pfSense firewalls.

·      Experience overseeing backup systems and disaster recovery processes.

·      Experience administering Linux, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace.

·      Experience supporting version control systems such as Apache Subversion (SVN) and Git.

·      Proficient scripting skills using PowerShell, Bash, Python, or related languages.

·      Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities.

·      Exceptional documentation and technical writing skills.

·      Capability to manage multiple infrastructure projects concurrently.

·      Willingness to perform scheduled after-hours maintenance and address critical incidents.

·      Preferred experience in supporting IT systems within a mid to large-sized animation studio or a similar creative environment.