System Administration Engineer

At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.

This exempt position is responsible for the implementation, administration, maintenance, security, and performance of enterprise systems and platforms across all office locations. The role focuses on Windows server environments, identity and access management, endpoint systems, messaging and collaboration platforms, backup and recovery services, and core application infrastructure. The System Administration Engineer works hands-on with server and endpoint technologies, supports system lifecycle management, and collaborates closely with the IT Engineering team to deliver stable, secure, and scalable systems. This position also provides advanced troubleshooting support for user-facing systems and backend platforms.

Essential Duties

• Administer, maintain, and enhance enterprise systems to ensure the security, integrity, and availability of Firm data and systems.

• Lead and participate in system-related projects, including server upgrades, platform migrations, system hardening, and infrastructure improvements.

• Install, configure, maintain, and support server operating systems, endpoint configurations, identity services, and enterprise applications.

• Coordinate with network and security teams as needed to resolve cross-functional infrastructure issues.

• Develop and maintain system documentation, procedures, and configuration standards.

• Provide provisioning and deprovisioning of users, systems, and access, including workstation setup, software deployment, and permissions management.

• Provides documentation/project tracking/resolution tracking.

• Analyze and resolve problems with desktop or remote applications software.

• Handles troubleshooting for backend application software features.

• Manage implementation of components required for complex application features.

• Manage client service relationships for deployment and ongoing Firm support applications.

• Fix reports of problems, close tickets, and provide feedback.

Other Duties

Messaging and Collaboration Services Duties

• Administer and support enterprise messaging and collaboration platforms, including Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft 365 services.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to mail flow, mailbox access, and messaging performance.

• Manage mail archive systems, retention policies, and data imports/exports.

• Support messaging-related security, compliance, and access controls.

• Provide technical support to team members.

• Document, track, and monitor problems and design resolutions using centrally managed solutions.

• Work on assigned projects and provide status updates to Manger of IT Engineering to meet deadlines.

• Other tasks as assigned by management as needed or assigned.

Application Support Related Duties

• Support enterprise applications from underlying system infrastructure through application deployment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operating system and application access issues for users.
• Work on assigned application projects including updates and implementation.
• Support Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and access integrations.
• Provide advanced user support related to system access, authentication, and endpoint configuration.
• Participate in application updates, rollouts, and system integrations.

Reporting Relationship

The System Administration Engineer reports to the Manager of IT Engineering.

Subordinate Staff: None.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience

• Strong experience administering Microsoft Windows Server environments and enterprise systems.

• Proven expertise supporting Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft 365 platforms.

• In-depth knowledge of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, and identity services.

• Experience supporting endpoint systems, remote access technologies, and enterprise applications.

• Familiarity with backup, recovery, and data protection technologies.

• Understanding of system security principles, access controls, and compliance requirements.

• Experience working in a large, complex Microsoft-based enterprise environment.

• Five to seven years of experience in systems administration or infrastructure support roles.

Skills

Must possess strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work both individually and collaboratively with team members and IT management, attorneys, professional staff, and vendors in support of different project initiatives.  Incumbent will help establish and participate in the development of technology-related policies, standards and end-user procedures as appropriate. Ability to take responsibility for secondary and tertiary systems as needed.

Education

College degree strongly preferred with a B.S. in computer science or related field, minimum 5 years of experience in messaging/network administration in a midsize environment; or equivalent combination of education, certification and experience will be considered.

Physical Demands

Must be able to move around the office up to 25% of the time; Position remains stationary at least 50% of the time; When doing occasional office build outs or system upgrades, might be required to move around up to 100% of the time; This position constantly operates, and frequently inspects and positions, computers and other office productivity machines (e.g., computer equipment, servers, desktop computers, laptops, peripherals  etc.); Positions self to maintain/troubleshoot computers underneath office desks, up to 15% of the time; Frequently moves computer equipment weighing up to 20 lbs.; Occasionally moves computer/server equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.; This position requires frequent communication and exchange of information with the Firm attorneys and staff. Frequently identifies and distinguishes colors and correct focus.

Working Conditions

Office environment.  Position requires up to 25% travel.  This position requires occasional work after normal business hours and on weekends. Participate in on-call escalation rotations for 24x7x365 support; evening, overnight, weekend, holiday, and on-call work may be required.