Systems Admin Specialist II

At NerdWallet, we’re on a mission to bring clarity to all of life’s financial decisions and every great mission needs a team of exceptional Nerds. We’ve built an inclusive, flexible, and candid culture where you’re empowered to grow, take smart risks, and be unapologetically yourself (cape optional). Whether remote or in-office, we support how you thrive best. We invest in your well-being, development, and ability to make an impact because when one Nerd levels up, we all do.

The Senior IT Systems Administrator at NerdWallet is responsible for maintaining the stability, scalability, and security of the organization's technology infrastructure. They will be involved with the design, configuration, and maintenance of key IT systems, including corporate identity, endpoint management, security, networking, and cloud platforms. Additionally, they will evaluate emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and provide strategic guidance to peers and management on infrastructure-related initiatives.

This role reports to the Manager, IT.

Where you can make an impact:

• Identity platform (Okta) administration; SSO, authentication, and access controls

• User lifecycle management automation; onboarding and offboarding of users, devices, and application access

• Maintenance of corporate IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, firewalls, applications, and cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP)

• Endpoint management and configuration (Jamf, Intune), including security policy, patching, and vulnerability remediation

• SOX auditing and compliance enforcement across IT infrastructure processes and procedures

• Build and expand automation across IT operations, using both code and no-code tools, to reduce manual toil and improve consistency at scale

• Identify opportunities to apply AI and machine learning to reduce operational burden and improve decision-making

• Evaluate and adopt emerging tools and technologies that enhance identity management, endpoint security, and overall IT infrastructure efficiency

• Create and maintain high-quality technical documentation (runbooks, SOPs, end-user guides)

• Collaborate with Security, DevOps, HR, and other teams to identify and execute infrastructure improvements

• Assist IT leadership with special projects that may involve handling sensitive data, internal investigations, or strict confidentiality requirements

Your experience:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• Proven experience with enterprise-scale implementations of the following:

  • IdP/SSO concepts (SAML/OAuth), provisioning (SCIM/JIT), and platform administration (Okta)

  • MDM platform administration (Jamf, Intune)

• Functional understanding of the following:

  • Security principles (least privilege, secure design, data protection)

  • Automation using code and no-code tools (Okta Workflows, webhooks, APIs, AWS Lambda/Cloud Functions, Python, Bash/ZSH, PowerShell)

  • Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) and version control (Git, GitHub)

  • Networking principles, troubleshooting, management, and administration

  • Cloud concepts (IaaS, public cloud) and platform administration

• Strong technical verbal and written skills and ability to produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation

• Ability to build a project plan and carry it to completion without oversight

• Experience with change management and helping to define team processes, procedures, and best practices

• Excellent teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills

• Any of the following are a plus:

  • Experience scaling IT systems and infrastructure through periods of significant organizational growth and change (e.g. M&A)

  • Demonstrated use of AI tools or AI-assisted approaches to solve real-world IT and business problems

  • Experience implementing compliance controls (e.g., SOX) and security standards (e.g., NIST, ISO)

  • IT certifications in System Administration, Security, Networking, or related fields

Where:

• This role will be remote (based in the U.S.).

• We believe great work can be done anywhere. No matter where you are based, NerdWallet offers benefits and perks to support the physical, financial, and emotional well being of you and your family.

What we offer:

Work Hard, Stay Balanced (Life’s a series of balancing acts, eh?)

• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision health care plans for employees and their dependents

• Rejuvenation Policy – Flexible Vacation Time Off + 11 holidays + holiday company shutdown

• New Parent Leave for employees with a newborn child or a child placed with them for adoption or foster care

• Mental health support

• Paid sabbatical after 5 years for Nerds to recharge, gain knowledge, and pursue their interests

• Health and Dependent Care FSA and HSA Plan with monthly NerdWallet contribution

• Monthly Wellness Stipend, Cell Phone Stipend, and Wifi Stipend (Only remote Nerds are eligible for the Wifi Stipend)

• Work from home equipment stipend and co-working space subsidy (Only remote Nerds are eligible for these stipends)

Have Some Fun! (Nerds are fun, too)

• Nerd-led group initiatives – Employee Resource Groups for Parents, Diversity, and Inclusion, Women, LGBTQIA, and other communities

• Hackathons and team events across all teams and departments

• Company-wide events like NerdLove (employee appreciation) and our annual Charity Auction 

• Our Nerds love to make an impact by paying it forward – Take 8 hours of volunteer time off per quarter and donate to your favorite causes with a company match

Plan for your future (And when you retire on your island, remember the little people)

• 401K with 4% company match

• Be the first to test and benefit from our new financial products and tools

• Financial wellness, guidance, and unlimited access to a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through Northstar

• Disability and Life Insurance with employer-paid premiums

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here .

NerdWallet is committed to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, so all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

NerdWallet will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and the San Francisco Fair Chance Act, which requires this notice , as well as the Los Angeles Fair Chance Act, which requires this notice .

NerdWallet participates in the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services E-Verify program for all US locations. For more information, please see:

• E-Verify Participation Poster (English+Spanish/Español )

• Right to Work Poster (English) / (Spanish/Español)  

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