Job Description

Summary

The Senior Systems Engineer is Apex's highest-level technical resource - a deeply experienced engineer responsible for designing, scoping, and delivering complex IT infrastructure projects for managed services clients. This role leads project engineering from design through implementation, writes technical scopes, and serves as the senior technical authority across Microsoft, networking, and systems environments. While project work is the primary focus, the Senior Systems Engineer also serves as an escalation resource for the most complex issues the service desk team cannot resolve. Beyond individual technical contributions, this role is expected to mentor and develop the engineers and technicians around them, raising the technical standard of the entire team.

Primary Responsibilities

Project Engineering & Design

Design and engineer complex IT infrastructure solutions tailored to each client's environment, business needs, and risk profile
Lead solution design across Microsoft server environments, virtualization (Hyper-V), Microsoft 365, Azure, networking, and security
Architect WAN/LAN infrastructure, firewall configurations, VPN and remote access solutions, and network security implementations
Evaluate client environments to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement and translate findings into actionable project designs
Ensure all designs are technically sound, scalable, and aligned with Apex's standards and best practices

Project Delivery

Lead the end-to-end delivery of infrastructure projects from kickoff through completion
Design and deploy IT infrastructure solutions including server builds, network deployments, cloud migrations, and system upgrades
Collaborate closely with the Project Manager, Account Manager, and vCIO to ensure projects are delivered on time, on scope, and to client expectations
Communicate proactively with clients throughout project delivery - keeping them informed of progress, changes, and any issues that arise
Coordinate with Network/Systems Engineers and other technical resources on project execution tasks

Scope Writing & Technical Documentation

Create detailed project scopes that accurately capture client needs, mitigate risks, and define clear deliverables and boundaries
Ensure scopes are written with enough specificity to protect Apex and set clear expectations with clients
Maintain and create detailed technical documentation in IT Glue for all project work and system configurations
Document all client environment changes, configurations, and implementations thoroughly and accurately

Escalation Support

Serve as the senior technical escalation point for complex issues that exceed the scope of the Network/Systems Engineer
Diagnose and resolve advanced technical problems across Microsoft environments, networking, and infrastructure
Provide guidance to the service desk team on difficult issues without taking over tickets that should remain at lower tiers
Note: escalation support is a secondary function - project engineering is the primary focus of this role

Leadership & Mentoring

Set the technical standard for Apex's engineering and service desk teams through demonstrated excellence
Actively mentor and develop Network/Systems Engineers, Field Technicians, and Service Desk Technicians
Share knowledge proactively - through documentation, informal coaching, and formal training
Identify skill gaps on the technical team and work with the Engineering Manager and Director of Operations to address them
Contribute to the continuous improvement of Apex's technical standards, tools, and processes

Ticket Management

Log all work accurately and in real time in ConnectWise
Work through the assigned ticket queue in priority order
Keep ticket notes clear, complete, and useful for anyone who picks up the ticket after you
Meet defined response time and resolution SLAs consistently

Documentation Adherence

Follow all standard operating procedures documented in IT Glue
Adhere to Apex's security best practices on every ticket
Never bypass documented processes - if a process is unclear or missing, flag it
Contribute to documentation improvements when gaps or outdated procedures are identified

Customer Service Excellence

Keep clients informed of ticket progress and resolution status throughout the support process
Communicate professionally and clearly in all client interactions
Identify patterns and recurring issues within client environments and flag them to the Service Desk Manager
Work collaboratively with dispatchers, service managers, and engineers
Represent Apex professionally in every client interaction

Required Qualifications

10+ years of IT experience, with significant time spent in systems/network engineering or infrastructure project delivery
Deep hands-on expertise with Microsoft server environments including Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS/DHCP, and Hyper-V
Strong Microsoft 365 and Azure administration experience - including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, Intune, and Azure AD
Advanced networking knowledge - routing, switching, VLANs, VPNs, WAN/LAN architecture, and firewall configuration
Experience with enterprise firewall platforms (Fortinet, SonicWall, Meraki, or similar)
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering complex infrastructure projects end-to-end
Experience writing technical scopes, project plans, or statements of work
Strong communication skills - able to present technical recommendations clearly to both technical and executive audiences
Experience mentoring or developing junior technical staff
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; equivalent experience considered
Valid driver's license and ability to travel to client sites as needed

Preferred Qualifications

MSP experience strongly preferred
Microsoft certifications: MD-102, AZ-104, AZ-305, MS-700, or equivalent
CompTIA Network+, Security+, or similar certifications
Experience with backup and disaster recovery platforms (Datto, Veeam, or similar)
Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks and tools relevant to the SMB market
Experience with ConnectWise Manage, ScreenConnect, and IT Glue
MBA or Master's degree in a related field

What This Role Is Not

Not a service desk or helpdesk role - day-to-day ticket work is primarily handled by the service desk team
Not a purely reactive escalation role - project engineering and design are the primary focus
Not a project management role - project coordination and client scheduling are owned by the Project Manager
Not a role for someone who wants to specialize narrowly - breadth across Microsoft, networking, and systems is required

What Makes Someone Successful Here

Designs solutions that actually work in the real world - technically excellent and practically deliverable
Writes scopes that protect Apex and give clients confidence - clear, specific, and complete
Delivers projects cleanly - on scope, well-documented, and with clients who feel taken care of
Raises the technical bar around them - the team is better because this person is on it
Stays current on the technologies Apex supports and brings that knowledge back to the team
Communicates with clients at a level that builds trust - credible, clear, and never condescending
Self-directed and self-motivated - doesn't need to be managed through complex work

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
Comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays)
Quarterly incentives based on individual and team KPIs
On-the-job training and support
Team-based work environment

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. May require work outside of normal business hours on occasion.
On call rotation required after 90 days

Work Location

Onsite in Cornelius, NC
Local travel required for onsite client project work and escalation visits
Hybrid work opportunity (up to 2 days/week) available after 90 days, based on performance

This is a general overview of the role and does not constitute a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities.

Apex Technology Corporation

New Jobs

Senior System Engineer