Windows Systems Administrator - SQL Server & Infrastructure

Job Title: Windows Systems Administrator - SQL Server & Infrastructure

Job Location: Bronx, NY (Hybrid; 3 days onsite, 2 remote)

Pay Range: $70-$80/hr (W2), depending on experience

Duration: 12 Months+

Interview Mode: 1st round either MS Teams or onsite in the Bronx, NY (up to Hiring Manager). Potential second round as well onsite

Position Overview

Our Fortune 500 client located in Bronx, New York is seeking an experienced Senior Windows Systems Administrator to support, maintain, secure, and optimize critical Windows-based infrastructure and Microsoft SQL Server environments.

This role is ideal for a hands-on infrastructure professional with strong experience administering Windows Server, Active Directory, SQL Server, PowerShell, virtualization, backup/recovery, and enterprise security. The individual will be responsible for maintaining reliable and secure systems while troubleshooting complex technical issues, improving system performance, supporting disaster recovery, and automating administrative activities.

The successful candidate will work closely with customers, application and development teams, adjacent infrastructure groups, and IT leadership to resolve issues and ensure systems remain available, secure, and aligned with business requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Windows Systems Administration

• Administer, maintain, monitor, and optimize Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 environments.
• Manage Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and Windows patching.
• Monitor system health, availability, capacity, and performance.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware, operating system, software, connectivity, and infrastructure issues.
• Perform system configuration, maintenance, upgrades, and ongoing operational support.

SQL Server Administration & Support

• Install, configure, maintain, and support Microsoft SQL Server environments.
• Monitor and troubleshoot database availability and performance.
• Write and optimize SQL queries and scripts supporting system administration, automation, and reporting.
• Partner with application and development teams to resolve SQL-related issues and improve application performance.

Automation & PowerShell

• Develop and maintain PowerShell scripts to automate system administration and operational tasks.
• Identify opportunities to reduce repetitive manual processes through scripting and automation.
• Support standardized, repeatable infrastructure-management practices.

Virtualization & Infrastructure

• Support enterprise virtualization technologies including VMware, Hyper-V, and Nutanix.
• Troubleshoot infrastructure issues across physical and virtual environments.
• Apply working knowledge of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, firewalls, and VPNs.
• Collaborate with networking, security, application, database, and other technical teams to resolve cross-platform issues.

Backup, Recovery & Business Continuity

• Implement, maintain, and support enterprise backup and recovery solutions.
• Support disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution.
• Help ensure critical systems can be recovered in accordance with operational requirements.

Security & Vulnerability Management

• Apply Windows infrastructure security best practices, including system hardening and vulnerability management.
• Support patching, remediation, access controls, and security-related system changes.
• Partner with cybersecurity and infrastructure teams to address vulnerabilities and maintain secure system configurations.

Customer Support & Operational Excellence

• Work directly with customers and technical stakeholders to investigate and resolve system issues.
• Communicate effectively with technical teams, customers, and all levels of management.
• Maintain a strong customer-outcome focus while balancing system reliability, security, and operational requirements.
• Support structured change-management processes and IT operational best practices.
• Produce and maintain documentation covering system configurations, procedures, troubleshooting, and change controls.

Required Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of Windows Systems Administration experience within mid-size to large enterprise environments.
• Strong hands-on experience with Windows Server 2016, 2019, and/or 2022.
• Strong experience with Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and Windows patching.
• Strong Microsoft SQL Server experience, including installation, configuration, maintenance, scripting, and performance tuning.
• Proficiency with PowerShell scripting and automation.
• Strong familiarity with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, and Nutanix.
• Experience implementing and supporting backup/recovery solutions and disaster recovery processes.
• Understanding of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, firewalls, and VPNs.
• Experience with system hardening, vulnerability remediation, and infrastructure security best practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across technical teams, customers, and management.
• Detail-oriented approach with a strong focus on customer outcomes and system reliability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Knowledge of ITIL practices and enterprise change-management processes.
• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate or comparable Microsoft certification.
• Relevant Microsoft Administrator certification.
• CompTIA Security+ or comparable security certification.
• Experience supporting highly available, business-critical enterprise infrastructure.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Senior Windows Systems Administrator who can take ownership of enterprise Windows infrastructure while bringing meaningful SQL Server expertise to the team. You are equally comfortable troubleshooting Windows Server issues, administering Active Directory, supporting SQL Server, writing PowerShell automation, managing virtualized environments, and collaborating with customers and technical teams.

You bring a strong operational mindset, understand the importance of security and recoverability, and approach technical issues with urgency and attention to detail. Most importantly, you can translate strong infrastructure expertise into reliable, secure, and effective outcomes for the customers and business teams that depend on these systems.