System Support Engineer

Job Overview:

The Systems Support Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, administration, security, and maintenance of the company's IT infrastructure. This includes servers, storage, virtualization, networking, cloud services, backup systems, cybersecurity, and core business services that support the studio's production environment.

The role ensures high availability, performance, security, and scalability of the studio's infrastructure while working closely with the Senior IT Desktop Support to provide a stable technology platform for artists, production teams, and business users. The Systems Support Engineer also leads infrastructure projects, develops IT standards, and drives continuous improvement across the company's technology environment.

Responsibilities:

Infrastructure Administration:

•  Design, implement, administer, and maintain the company's on-premise and cloud infrastructure.

•  Manage mainly Linux servers and some Windows servers, virtual machines, and enterprise services.

•  Ensure high availability, reliability, and performance of production systems.

•  Monitor system health, capacity, and performance, proactively identifying and resolving potential issues.

Server & Storage Management:

•  Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade physical and virtual servers.

•  Administer enterprise storage solutions, including RAID, NAS, SAN, ZFS, and other storage technologies where applicable.

•  Manage file servers and production storage to ensure data integrity and optimal performance.

•  Perform storage capacity planning and lifecycle management.

Network Administration:

•  Manage LAN, WAN, VPN, wireless networks, switches, routers, and firewalls.

•  Configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, and network security.

•  Administer pfSense firewalls, VPN services, and network security policies.

•  Monitor network performance and recommend infrastructure improvements.

Identity & Core Services:

•  Administer Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and authentication services.

•  Manage user access policies and security groups.

•  Maintain Microsoft, Google Workspace, and related identity services where required.

Cybersecurity:

•  Maintain endpoint and network security controls.

•  Monitor system logs and security events.

•  Implement vulnerability management, patch management, and security best practices.

•  Support incident response and recovery following security events.

•  Maintain antivirus, endpoint detection, and access control systems.

Backup & Disaster Recovery:

•  Design and maintain backup and disaster recovery strategies.

•  Regularly test backup integrity and restoration procedures.

•  Ensure business continuity plans remain current and effective.

•  Document recovery procedures and recovery objectives.

DevOps & Production Infrastructure:

•  Support source control systems such as Apache Subversion (SVN) and Git where applicable, as well as proprietary internal software.

•  Maintain production infrastructure supporting animation pipelines.

•  Assist with automation and scripting to improve operational efficiency.

•  Support render infrastructure and production systems where required.

Monitoring & Automation:

•  Implement and maintain infrastructure monitoring solutions.

•  Develop scripts and automation tools using PowerShell, Bash, or Python.

•  Reduce manual administration through automation and standardisation.

Documentation & Governance:

•  Maintain accurate documentation for infrastructure, configurations, SOPs, disaster recovery plans, and network diagrams.

•  Develop infrastructure standards and best practices.

•  Maintain IT asset records for infrastructure equipment.

Project Management:

•  Lead server, storage, networking, migration, and infrastructure upgrade projects.

•  Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve performance, security, and scalability.

•  Work closely with vendors, service providers, and internal stakeholders.

•  Support budgeting and procurement for infrastructure equipment and software.

Leadership & Collaboration:

•  Provide technical guidance to Desktop Support staff.

•  Act as the escalation point for complex infrastructure issues.

•  Participate in after-hours maintenance and emergency response when required.

Qualifications:

·      Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.

·      Minimum 5 years of experience in Systems Administration or Infrastructure Engineering.

·      Strong experience managing Linux and enterprise Windows environments.

·      Strong knowledge of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, and Windows Server administration.

·      Strong experience administering Linux systems including Ubuntu and Rocky Linux.

·      Strong knowledge of virtualization platforms such as VMware, Hyper-V, or Proxmox.

·      Experience managing enterprise storage technologies, RAID, NAS, SAN, ZFS etc.

·      Strong understanding of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, VPNs, switching, and firewalls.

·      Experience configuring and maintaining pfSense firewalls.

·      Experience managing backup systems and disaster recovery processes.

·      Experience administering Linux, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

·      Experience supporting version control systems such as Apache Subversion (SVN) and Git.

·      Strong scripting skills using PowerShell, Bash, Python, or similar languages.

·      Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.

·      Excellent documentation and technical writing abilities.

·      Ability to manage multiple infrastructure projects simultaneously.

·      Willingness to perform scheduled after-hours maintenance and respond to critical incidents.

·      Preferable to have previous experience in supporting IT systems in a mid to large sized animation studio or similar creative environment.