Sr Systems Engineer - UP

at  Metra

Job Description
Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.
Information Technology is divided into four sections: Enterprise Applications, Railroad Applications, Network Services and Systems Development. The Enterprise Applications team is charged with implementing and supporting applications used enterprise-wide at Metra, such as the new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and HR, Payroll and Timekeeping systems. The Railroad Applications team is charged with implementing and supporting applications used to support Metra’s Transportation, Mechanical, and Engineering functions. The Network Services section has two distinct groups: IT Support and Network Operations. IT Support maintains and supports the agency’s personal computers as well as computer aided design (CAD) systems for the Engineering Department and point-of-sale terminals. Network Operations builds and maintains the servers and storage that are replacing the agency’s mainframe, the data network, e-mail system and disaster recovery capabilities. Systems Development develops, maintains, and supports all application systems built in-house, across all business functions.
Reporting to the Director, Network Services, the Senior Systems Engineer will design, install, maintain, and monitor virtual and physical servers, storage area networks, cloud environment, and software of a complex nature for Metra’s IT infrastructure; analyze service options, infrastructure configurations, and ongoing support requirements to improve system reliability and maintain operations metrics; function as subject matter expert and lead on projects; and maintain infrastructure equipment with current vendor support agreements.
The primary duties include: Design, implement, manage and provide levels 2 and 3 support for multiple datacenter technologies, primarily: Azure IaaS, VMware vSphere and Microsoft Windows Servers and Office 365 suite including Azure AD, Exchange Online, Conditional Access policies, and MFA/SSPR registration policies. Perform root cause analysis in the resolution of network, server or infrastructure problems of considerable difficulty, manage performance and capacity issues, and lead the establish of procedures to improve systems processes. Provide levels 2 and 3 administration of infrastructure including: hardware installations, server software deployments, and systems updating. Take ownership of and lead projects from start to finish including design, roll out, and testing. Maintain a High Availability environment and backup and disaster recovery solutions to prevent data loss and ensure an uptime of 99.9%. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate.
Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a computer related discipline OR in lieu of degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the required degree that equals four years in Information Technology.
• In addition to #1, must have seven years of progressively responsible system engineering experience that includes at least four years in levels 2 and 3 support of server technologies and experience managing Microsoft Windows Servers, VMware vSphere infrastructure, Azure IaaS, and backup/recovery.
• Considerable knowledge of configuration and management of Microsoft Azure IaaS, including virtual machine (vm) deployment, cloud storage and Microsoft Defender compliance policies.
• Considerable knowledge of configuration and management of Office 365 hybrid environment, including Active Directory/Azure Active Directory, SAML, SSO, MFA, SSPR and Conditional Access policies.
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft server technologies including configuring managing and troubleshooting Active Directory, Group Policy Objects (GPO’s), File/Print Services, and user/device management.
• Strong knowledge of VMware virtualization technologies including clustering, host and VM compliance policies, Site Recover Manager (SRM) and vSphere Update Management.
• Basic knowledge of network infrastructures and how they interrelate with servers and storage desirable.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills when interacting with users, management, and consultants.
• Skill assessing highly complex infrastructure problems and developing, and implementing solutions.
• Ability to work well both individually and on team based projects.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, establish priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Cisco CCNA certification helpful.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be willing to travel within Metra’s 6-county region.
• Must be available on-call 24-hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred:

• Microsoft MCSE Core Infrastructure and/or Azure Administration certification.
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP) certification.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.
Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Please refer the Job description for details