Senior IT Systems Administrator (Mesa, Arizona Contract/Part Time)

Senior IT Systems Administrator

Location: 2-3 days onsite (Monday is a must) in Mesa, Arizona) Must reside within commuting distance to Mesa; No relocation assistance.

Duration: 20 hours per week / 1-Year contract, with potential extensions

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior IT Systems Administrator to support and maintain a modern Microsoft-centric enterprise environment. This individual will be responsible for the administration, optimization, and security of Windows-based infrastructure, Microsoft cloud services, Azure resources, and endpoint management solutions.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise across Windows systems, Microsoft 365, Azure, identity management, and network security, along with hands-on experience supporting BYOD environments and Fortinet/FortiGate firewalls. This role requires strong troubleshooting capabilities, proactive system management, and the ability to collaborate across technical and business teams.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure & Systems Administration

·       Administer and support Windows Server and Windows 10/11 endpoint environments.

·       Manage Active Directory, Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and identity lifecycle management.

·       Maintain hybrid and cloud-based infrastructure hosted in Microsoft Azure.

·       Perform system monitoring, patching, upgrades, and performance tuning across enterprise systems.

·       Implement and maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions.

Microsoft Cloud & Azure

·       Administer Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

·       Manage Azure resources such as virtual machines, storage accounts, networking, and security policies.

·       Support hybrid identity integrations including Azure AD Connect and conditional access.

·       Assist with automation using PowerShell and Azure tools where applicable.

Endpoint & BYOD Management

·       Support Windows Endpoint Lifecycle including provisioning, hardening, and ongoing maintenance.

·       Administer endpoint management solutions such as Microsoft Intune and/or Endpoint Manager.

·       Enforce security and compliance policies across corporate and BYOD devices.

·       Provide Tier 3 escalation support for complex endpoint issues.

Network & Security Administration

·       Configure and maintain Fortinet/FortiGate firewalls, VPN connectivity, and network security policies.

·       Collaborate with security teams to implement MFA, endpoint protection, and identity-based controls.

·       Monitor system logs, respond to incidents, and assist with remediation efforts.

·       Ensure adherence to organizational security and compliance standards.

Operational Support & Collaboration

·       Provide advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for infrastructure issues.

·       Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and standard operating procedures.

·       Partner with IT leadership on infrastructure planning, upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.

·       Mentor junior administrators and provide technical guidance when needed.

Education & Certifications

·       Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field preferred.

·       Equivalent hands-on experience in systems administration, cloud infrastructure, or enterprise IT operations may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.

·       Relevant industry certifications strongly desired, such as:

o   Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator (AZ-104) or similar

o   Microsoft 365 Administrator certifications

o   Fortinet NSE certifications

o   CompTIA Security+ or Network+

o   ITIL Foundation (nice to have)

Soft Skills

·       Strong communication and collaboration abilities.

·       Ability to work independently while supporting cross-functional teams.

• Proactive mindset with focus on stability, security, and continuous improvement.

Nice to Have

·       Experience with automation and infrastructure as code.

·       Exposure to ITIL practices or structured service delivery models.

·       Previous experience supporting distributed or multi-region environments.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

·       5+ years of experience in Systems Administration or Infrastructure Engineering roles.

·       Strong expertise with:

o   Windows Server and Windows desktop environments

o   Active Directory and Azure AD (Entra ID)

o   Microsoft 365 administration

o   Microsoft Azure infrastructure

·       Hands-on experience managing Windows endpoints in a BYOD environment.

·       Experience configuring and supporting Fortinet/FortiGate firewalls.

·       Advanced PowerShell scripting or automation experience.

·       Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (VPN, DNS, routing, security policies).

·       Excellent documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.