IT System Administrator
About the role
The IT Systems Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day administration, maintenance, and reliability of Nextern's global IT infrastructure. This role serves as a technical backstop for the global IT team, taking escalated support requests, maintaining existing and newly deployed systems, and partnering with internal business stakeholders to support company-wide technology initiatives. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with broad systems knowledge, a service-oriented mindset, and the ability to operate effectively and efficiently. Nextern is a contract manufacturer of medical devices. The System Administrator must be able to operate in a highly regulated environment. Performs other duties as assigned. Physical demands include frequently sitting, standing, and walking; using hands to handle equipment and peripherals; talking and/or hearing; occasionally lifting/moving up to 50 lbs; requiring close vision and ability to read screens for extended periods; moderate noise level; occasional travel to domestic or international Nextern sites.
Responsibilities
- Administer and maintain Windows and/or Linux server environments, Active Directory/Azure AD, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, and related infrastructure services
- Serve as the escalation point for complex helpdesk and support requests from global IT staff and end users, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication
- Monitor system health, performance, and availability; proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact business operations
- Plan, coordinate, and execute patching, upgrades, and lifecycle management for servers, endpoints, and network equipment
- Maintain and improve backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures; conduct regular testing to validate recoverability
- Manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls across systems including Microsoft 365, identity platforms, and on-premises directories
- Onboard and integrate new systems and technologies, documenting configurations, procedures, and runbooks to support knowledge transfer
- Act as a technical resource and subject matter expert for global IT team members, providing guidance on infrastructure best practices and troubleshooting approaches
- Support internal business initiatives by evaluating technology requirements, participating in project planning, and delivering infrastructure components on time
- Collaborate with the Cybersecurity team to enforce security policies, respond to vulnerabilities, and maintain compliance with company standards
- Manage and maintain vendor relationships and service contracts related to IT infrastructure and software
- Create and maintain accurate technical documentation, asset inventory records, and change management logs
Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in a systems administration or IT infrastructure role
- Proficiency with Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory, Azure AD/Entra ID, and Microsoft 365 administration
- Experience with virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V, or equivalent)
- Working knowledge of networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, VLANs, VPN, firewalls, and DNS/DHCP
- Familiarity with endpoint management tools (Intune, SCCM,