IT Technician Tier 3 – Senior Systems & Network Engineer in Mount Prospect, Illinois at AMERICAN FREEDOM INSURANCE

As an onsite Tier 3 Senior Systems & Network Engineer, you will serve as the highest level of technical escalation within the IT department. This role carries a dual mandate: maintaining the reliability, performance, and security of existing infrastructure, and engineering new solutions that support business growth and modernization.

You will handle complex technical issues that cannot be resolved by Tier 1 or Tier 2 support while simultaneously architecting and deploying next-generation infrastructure. Networking is a core competency for this role — you will own and evolve the organization’s network environment alongside Windows Server, Microsoft Azure, Intune, infrastructure monitoring platforms, and line-of-business application maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Act as the highest escalation point for infrastructure, system, and network issues
• Maintain, support, and continuously improve existing server, network, and endpoint infrastructure
• Engineer and deploy new infrastructure solutions from design through implementation, aligned with business growth and modernization goals
• Own and evolve the organization’s network infrastructure — including firewalls, routers, switches, VLANs, and VPNs — both maintaining current environments and designing improvements
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues across servers, endpoints, and network systems
• Manage and maintain Windows Server environments and Active Directory infrastructure
• Monitor system and network performance using platforms such as Zabbix; deploy and manage infrastructure monitoring and alerting solutions
• Architect and lead deployment of new infrastructure solutions aligned with business growth and modernization goals
• Own and administer Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud environments
• Deploy, manage, and maintain endpoint environments using Microsoft Intune
• Support and maintain line-of-business applications, including patching, updates, and vendor coordination
• Support virtualization environments and ensure system availability and performance
• Assist with infrastructure projects, including migrations, deployments, and integrations
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support to Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams
• Maintain technical documentation, network diagrams, and system procedures
• Ensure security best practices, patch management, and system hardening standards are followed
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve infrastructure efficiency and reliability

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, systems administration, or network engineering
• Strong experience with Windows Server (2016/2019/2022) environments
• Advanced knowledge of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy
• Strong networking experience including switches, routers, VLANs, VPNs, and firewalls – required
• Experience troubleshooting both server and network infrastructure issues
• Experience with virtualization (Hyper-V or VMware)
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud environments – required
• Proficiency with endpoint management tools, specifically Microsoft Intune – required
• Experience with infrastructure monitoring platforms such as Zabbix, or demonstrated ability and willingness to learn
• Experience supporting and maintaining line-of-business applications, including patching and vendor coordination
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to mentor and support Tier 1 and Tier 2 technicians
• Certifications such as CCNA, Microsoft certifications (Azure, Intune), or equivalent preferred

Benefits: AFIC offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support you

• Competitive Salary: Rewarding your expertise and experience
• Financial Security: 401K with up to a 6% company match
• Health & Wellness: Choice of Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, HMO, or HSA plans, Dental and vision coverage, Access to telemedicine services
• Growth/Stability: Over 12 consecutive years of profitable growth, confirmed by A+ Superior rating by A.M. Best
• Work-Life Balance: Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm CST (Weekends- if needed)
• Holidays: At Least 6 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO that can be used for vacation, personal, or sick time
• Personal Days: Separate personal days for sickness, family needs, appointments or personal matters
• Employee Recognition: We celebrate work milestones to show appreciation for your contributions
• Professional Growth: Paid training, state licensing reimbursement, and opportunities for advancement
• Positive Culture: Enjoy our inclusive holiday events, employee referral bonuses, virtual team meetings, and more