Systems Engineer

Description

Sargent & Lundy is a leading consulting engineering firm specializing in the power and energy sectors. Since 1891, we have provided comprehensive engineering, design, and consulting services for both traditional and renewable power generation, grid modernization, nuclear power, and beyond. Our mission is to help clients achieve their energy goals effectively by leveraging advanced technologies and adopting sustainable practices.

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to design, implement, and support our core infrastructure services across on‑premises and cloud environments. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, performance, security, and scalability of compute, storage, and core platform services that support business-critical applications and users.

The Systems Engineer will work closely with IT operations, security, networking, and application teams to deliver resilient solutions, drive standardization, and continuously improve infrastructure services and processes.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure Design & Implementation

• Design, build, and maintain Windows server environments (physical, virtual, and cloud).
• Implement and support virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, Hyper‑V) and related resource management.
• Deploy and manage cloud infrastructure (e.g., Azure IaaS/PaaS) in alignment with architecture and security standards.
• Implement and maintain backup, recovery, and DR solutions for servers and critical applications.
• Participate in capacity planning, performance tuning, and lifecycle management (build, upgrade, retire).

Operations & Administration

• Administer core infrastructure services such as DNS, DHCP, file/print, certificate services, Azure infrastructure resources, and VMware/ESXi hosts.
• Monitor system health, performance, and availability using standard tools and dashboards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex infrastructure issues, including OS, middleware, and integration problems.
• Maintain and optimize patching and configuration management for servers and core services.
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures, runbooks, and configuration documentation.

Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain PowerShell or other scripting/automation to streamline provisioning, patching, and maintenance.
• Contribute to infrastructure-as-code and standardized build patterns where applicable.
• Identify opportunities to improve stability, security, and efficiency of infrastructure platforms.
• Participate in infrastructure roadmap and standards development.

Security & Compliance

• Implement and support security hardening of servers and platforms in line with corporate and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with security teams on vulnerability remediation, access controls, and audit responses.
• Support identity, access, and logging requirements for infrastructure components.
• Maintain compliance with change management and documentation standards.

Collaboration & Support

• Work with service desk and application teams as an escalation point for infrastructure-related incidents.
• Participate in on‑call rotation and after‑hours maintenance windows as required.
• Provide infrastructure input to projects, upgrades, and new solution designs.
• Communicate clearly with technical and non‑technical stakeholders regarding changes, risks, and impacts.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid schedule with the expectation of 3 days per week in our downtown Chicago office, and 2 days remote from home.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

• 3-5+ years of experience in systems engineering, infrastructure engineering, or a similar role.
• Strong experience with Windows Server installation, configuration, and administration.
• Hands‑on experience with virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware vSphere, Hyper‑V).
• Experience administering Azure infrastructure (compute, storage, networking) and VMware/ESXi virtualization platforms, including DNS, DHCP, and related core services.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (preferably Microsoft Azure) for IaaS/PaaS workloads.
• Proficiency with PowerShell or similar scripting for automation and administration.
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, load balancers) as they relate to servers and applications.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills in complex, multi‑tier environments.
• Experience working within change management, incident management, and ticketing processes.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with configuration management and automation tools (e.g., Ansible, DSC, Terraform).
• Experience with backup and DR platforms (e.g., Veeam, ExaGrid, Commvault).
• Exposure to monitoring and logging platforms (e.g., SCOM, Azure Monitor, Splunk).
• Familiarity with security frameworks and controls related to infrastructure (hardening benchmarks, vulnerability management).
• Experience in regulated or highly audited environments (e.g., utilities, energy, engineering, or similar industries).
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft, VMware, CompTIA, Cisco) are a plus.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and hands‑on experience.

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Award-Winning Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA
• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$75,210.00 - $115,210.00

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

Awards & Recognition

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.