IT Operations at CEC Controls Company Inc – Warren, Michigan

The IT Operations Specialist oversees daily IT operations including systems administration, network management, cloud infrastructure, and application support. This role is critical to ensuring system uptime, security compliance, and performance efficiency. The position requires a proactive individual with a strong understanding of Windows and Linux environments, virtualization, and modern DevOps practices.

CEC fosters a collaborative, supportive team environment where every voice is valued, and cross-functional teamwork is encouraged. Our culture is built on open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to achieving goals together. We believe in learning from one another, celebrating successes as a team, and supporting each other through challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

General Operations & Support

• Provide ongoing support for Windows and Linux systems, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Develop and maintain IT documentation, technical procedures, and system configurations.
• Manage ticketing and workflow using Agile methodologies (Scrum or Kanban).
• Communicate effectively in English (spoken and written) across teams and departments.
• Apply self-organization to manage priorities, deadlines, and operational tasks.

System Administration

• Administer and maintain servers, operating systems, and virtualization environments (Hypervisors/VMs).
• Oversee OS and software deployment, configuration, and updates.
• Monitor and manage OS-level and application-level security controls.
• Manage Active Directory, Entra, and Exchange environments.

Network Administration

• Configure and maintain Layer 2 and Layer 3 network devices (switches, routers).
• Implement and monitor VPNs, firewalls, and network security policies.
• Support wireless networks and access point controllers.
• Maintain DNS, DHCP, and other critical network services.
• Utilize network monitoring systems to detect and resolve performance issues.

Cloud & DevOps

• Manage cloud environments (Azure preferred) including provisioning, access, and cost control.
• Oversee container and Kubernetes lifecycle management.
• Use scripting (Bash, PowerShell) for automation and DevOps workflows.
• Implement CI/CD and cloud-native principles to improve deployment efficiency.

Hardware & Infrastructure

• Estimate resource utilization and plan capacity for servers and storage.
• Perform server chassis repair, maintenance, and RAID configuration.
• Ensure proper backup, redundancy, and recovery procedures are in place.

Software & Database Administration

• Administer Microsoft 365 suite and related enterprise software.
• Manage SQL Server, MySQL, and/or MariaDB databases, including backups and performance tuning.
• Configure and maintain web servers (Apache2, Nginx) and related hosting environments.

Required Skills & Experience:

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency with Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Experience in scripting and automation (Bash, PowerShell).
• Knowledge of IT and network security best practices.
• Hands-on experience with Azure or equivalent cloud platforms.
• Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and container lifecycle management.
• Understanding of virtualization and hypervisor management.
• Proficient in Active Directory, Exchange, and M365 administration.
• Working knowledge of databases (SQL Server, MySQL/MariaDB).
• Familiar with RAID, server hardware, and performance optimization.

Soft Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
• Self-driven and highly organized, capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Collaborative mindset with a DevOps-oriented approach.