Lead Systems Administrator

Job-ID: 107516Category: Information TechnologyLocation: Chicago, IL, United StatesWorkplace: HybridSchedule: Full time, 1Posted: 2026-11-09As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively.Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner!Hours8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri) Hybrid 3 Days On-Site RequirementCompensationAt S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated annual base salary range for this position in the United States is $116,534 - $154,413.00 Individual pay within this salary range is determined by several compensable factors, including performance, knowledge, job-related skills and experience, and relevant education or training. This role is also eligible for S&C’s annual incentive plan (AIP), subject to eligibility criteria.Join our Team as a Lead Systems Administrator!The Lead Systems Administrator provides senior technical leadership for the strategy, design, implementation, operation, security, and continuous improvement of enterprise infrastructure systems, including Azure environments, on-premise data centers, Microsoft 365, identity services, servers, virtualization, endpoint management, backup, and monitoring. This role oversees architecture and performance, mentors team members, guides technical direction across IT and the business, supports short- and long-term technology roadmaps, and serves as an escalation point for complex infrastructure issues.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the strategy, design, implementation, administration, monitoring, maintenance, operation, and continuous improvement of enterprise server, Azure, identity, endpoint, on-premise data center, and infrastructure platforms to ensure high availability, security, performance, and business continuity.Manage the cloud infrastructure, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, endpoint management, identity integrations, access controls, and hybrid cloud services in alignment with security and operational standards.Administer on-premise data centre infrastructure, including server hardware, virtualization hosts, storage, backup systems, monitoring tools, and related operational processes.Administer Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, file services, and related enterprise infrastructure services.Serve as the senior escalation point for complex infrastructure incidents, root cause analysis, service restoration, and problem management.Develop and enforce system administration standards, patching practices, configuration baselines, documentation, monitoring, and operational procedures.Lead infrastructure projects, upgrades, migrations, automation initiatives, and governance activities from planning through implementation and support transition.Automate recurring administrative tasks using PowerShell or similar tools to improve consistency, reduce manual effort, and strengthen operational controls.Partner with Cyber Security, Network, Operational Technology, other IT and business teams to deliver reliable technology services and resolve cross-functional issues.Oversee infrastructure architecture, security posture, and system performance while guiding technical direction across IT and business stakeholders.Partner with cybersecurity teams to implement secure configuration standards, support vulnerability remediation, strengthen privileged access controls, and ensure infrastructure platforms meet security and compliance requirements.Support disaster recovery design, planning, implementation, testing, backup validation, recovery procedures, and infrastructure resilience improvements.Coordinate with vendors and service providers for support escalations, renewals, technical evaluations, lifecycle planning, and service improvement.Assist the manager in developing short-term and long-term technology roadmaps, including infrastructure lifecycle planning, refresh planning, modernization priorities, capacity forecasting, technical debt reduction, legacy system retirement, security improvements, and business-aligned technology initiatives.Mentor systems administrators, review technical work, promote knowledge sharing, and contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.Coordinate with vendors and service providers for support escalations, renewals, technical evaluations, lifecycle planning, and service improvement.Assist the manager in developing short-term and long-term technology roadmaps, including infrastructure lifecycle planning, refresh planning, modernization priorities, capacity forecasting, technical debt reduction, legacy system retirement, security improvements, and business-aligned technology initiatives.Mentor systems administrators, review technical work, promote knowledge sharing, and contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.Additional Functions Support additional operational, administrative, and project-related activities as needed to maintain reliable IT services and advance departmental objectives.Participate in change management, incident response, maintenance windows, and on-call support as required.Prepare operational reports, technical documentation, diagrams, runbooks, and knowledge base articles.Evaluate emerging technologies, vendor solutions, and process improvements that may enhance infrastructure reliability, security, or efficiency.Maintain regular and punctual attendance and attend in-person or virtual meetings as requested or required.Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members, stakeholders, vendors, and business partners.Perform other responsibilities as assigned.What you’ll need to succeed RequiredPost-secondary education in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.5+ years of senior-level experience supporting enterprise IT environments and leading complex technical initiatives.Microsoft AZ-104, AZ-305, AZ-800, or equivalent relevant certificationExperience with Azure administration, including virtual machines, storage, networking, monitoring, governance, security controls, cost awareness, hybrid management tools, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, identity and access management, on-premise data center hardware and operations, and hybrid cloud administration.Advanced knowledge of Windows Server administration, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file services, patching, monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery practices.Ability to troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues, lead root cause analysis, and communicate technical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.Experience developing standards, procedures, runbooks, automation scripts, technical documentation, and operational reporting.Demonstrated ability to lead technical work, mentor team members, prioritize competing demands, and work effectively across teams.Strong leadership competencies, including technical judgment, strategic thinking, coaching and mentoring, stakeholder management, ownership and accountability, and clear communication with technical and business audiences.Capable of embracing diversity and equity to contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace.PreferredBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.Additional education or training in cloud administration, cybersecurity, identity management, endpoint management, or IT service management.VMware Certified Professional, CompTIA Server+, or equivalent relevant certificationITIL Foundation or equivalent relevant certificationStrong working knowledge of Azure infrastructure services, Azure Arc, Microsoft Defender, Intune, PowerShell automation, virtualization platforms, configuration management, IT service management tools, and infrastructure governance practices.Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, global, or highly regulated environments.Physical Requirements Sitting: Frequently required to remain in a stationary position and perform desk-based work for extended periods during the workday.Walking: Occasionally required to walk moderate distances within office, data centre, or site locations.Manual Dexterity: Frequently required to use hand-eye coordination to operate office productivity equipment, computers, mobile devices, and related technology tools.Ascending / Descending: Occasionally required to ascend or descend stairs and access equipment rooms or similar work areas.Observation / Eyesight: Frequently required to observe details at close range, including computer screens, system consoles, documentation, and equipment indicators.Communication: Frequently required to communicate in person, by phone, through conference calls, and through written digital channels.Travel: Occasionally required to travel to company locations or vendor sites and work outside standard business hours during planned maintenance, incident response, or project activities.S&C Electric is committed to equal-opportunity employment. All employees and applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the application, please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io fixed deadline#LI-KD1About the companyIn 1909, S&C Electric Company transformed the delivery of safe, reliable electricity with the invention of the Liquid Power Fuse. Today, as the world faces extreme weather events and the demand for electricity grows, S&C continues to innovate and advance the electrical grid, ensuring reliable and resilient power for homes, communities, and critical infrastructure around the world.With a diverse, global workforce and core values around integrity, safety, and quality, S&C is a trusted industry leader and top workplace that offers meaningful careers to more than 3,500 team members. As a people-first organization, S&C is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace where team members advance their careers through robust talent-development programs and involved leadership. S&C’s deeply rooted belief diversity fosters greater creativity, innovation, and success guides the company to advance and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture. S&C provides a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical & Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, , Health Savings Account (HSA), Group Life Insurance, optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program and Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support)Leave Benefits: Vacation Time, Sick Time, Paid Holidays and Company Shutdown days, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves, Paid Parental Time and Military LeaveRetirement Benefits: 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component; KSOP participants can receive annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic).