Senior Systems Administrator – Messaging & Automation Location: Atlanta, GA
Contract- 6 Months
Client- Southern Company.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Administrator – Messaging to lead the administration, optimization, and automation of enterprise messaging platforms.
This role supports and enhances Microsoft Exchange (on-prem, hybrid, and Exchange Online), Microsoft 365, and Proofpoint environments. A strong emphasis is placed on automation-first engineering, leveraging PowerShell, Python, Microsoft Graph API, REST APIs, and Power Automate to reduce manual operations and enable scalable, resilient systems.
The ideal candidate brings a code-first mindset, strong scripting ability, and deep enterprise messaging expertise.
Key Responsibilities
Messaging Platform Administration & Support
- Administer and support:
- Microsoft Exchange Server (on-prem & hybrid)
- Exchange Online (Microsoft 365)
- Ensure high availability, performance, reliability, and security.
- Troubleshoot complex issues and conduct root cause analysis.
- Lead modernization and system improvement initiatives.
Proofpoint Administration
- Administer Proofpoint email security suite:
- Tune policies to reduce false positives and improve detection.
- Coordinate incident response with security teams.
Automation & Engineering (Core Focus)
- Build automation solutions for daily messaging tasks.
- Develop reusable PowerShell and Python modules with:
- Error handling
- Logging
- Source control (Git)
- Automate user lifecycle and mailbox management via Microsoft Graph API.
- Consume and integrate REST APIs (authentication, pagination, JSON parsing).
- Build Power Automate workflows for cross-system orchestration.
- Continuously identify and eliminate manual processes.
Monitoring & Alerting
- Configure enterprise monitoring and alerting.
- Integrate messaging platforms with monitoring/SIEM tools.
- Implement automated remediation triggered by alerts.
Project Delivery & Continuous Improvement
- Execute messaging-related projects including:
- Platform migrations
- Mail flow changes
- Security enhancements
- Partner with infrastructure, identity, and security teams.
- Maintain technical documentation and code repositories.
- Standardize processes and improve automation at scale.
Required Qualifications
- Strong automation-first mindset.
- Advanced PowerShell and Python scripting skills.
- Experience working with:
- Microsoft Graph API
- REST APIs
- Power Automate (or similar orchestration tools)
- Hands-on administration experience with:
- Exchange Server (on-prem & hybrid)
- Exchange Online
- Experience with Proofpoint security suite.
- Experience configuring enterprise monitoring and alerting.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
- Ability to work independently under general direction.
- Willingness to participate in on-call rotation.
Technical Skills Summary
- Microsoft Exchange (On-Prem & Online)
- Microsoft 365
- Proofpoint (TRAP, TAP, EFD, SER, POD)
- PowerShell (Advanced)
- Python
- Microsoft Graph API
- REST APIs
- Power Automate
- Git / Source Control
- SIEM / Monitoring Integration
Core Competencies
- Code-first engineering mindset
- Process automation expertise
- Enterprise troubleshooting skills
- Strong documentation discipline
- Cross-team collaboration
- Clear technical communication