Systems Administrator in Houston, Texas at ManhattanLife Assurance Company of America
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Job Description
Who we are:
ManhattanLife Insurance and Annuity Company was founded in 1850, the Company’s longevity makes it one of the oldest and most reliable health and life insurance companies in the country. Operating successfully for over 175 years is a testimony to ManhattanLife’s enduring history, and an indicator of the reliability of our future. ManhattanLife’s headquarters are in Houston, TX and the company is continually growing with multiple office locations nation-wide. ManhattanLife offers attractive employee benefits starting day one, including immediate coverage under our health, dental and vision plans. We offer flexible schedules, including shortened hours on Fridays, free parking, company-wide events, professional development (LOMA testing) and a company-wide wellness program.Scope and Purpose:
ManhattanLife continues to grow our business and our technology team. We currently have an opportunity for an experienced Systems Administrator at our Houston, Texas headquarters.
This position is responsible for the administration, security, reliability, and optimization of ManhattanLife's hybrid infrastructure, with a strong focus on enterprise Linux, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, virtualization, and hybrid identity services. The Systems Administrator will help maintain secure and highly available systems, support infrastructure projects, improve operational processes, and provide escalation support across server, cloud, virtualization, identity, and endpoint management platforms.
Areas of responsibility include enterprise Linux systems, Microsoft cloud services, Microsoft 365, hybrid directory services, virtualization, network and security infrastructure, collaboration platforms, compliance tooling, multi-factor authentication, remote monitoring and management, ticketing, documentation, and other enterprise IT platforms.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Server Administration: Linux & Windows
- Administer and support enterprise Linux systems, including configuration, patching, troubleshooting, access management, performance monitoring, and service availability.
- Support additional Linux distributions and enterprise Linux platforms as needed.
- Administer current Windows Server environments.
- Support migration and integration of acquired legacy systems.
- Manage directory services, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file permissions, authentication, SSO, and federation-related services.
- Support hybrid identity environments integrating on-premises directory services with cloud identity platforms.
- Perform server hardening, vulnerability remediation, OS patching, and lifecycle management.
- Maintain accurate documentation for server configurations, operational procedures, standards, and support processes.
- Cloud Infrastructure & Microsoft 365
- Administer Microsoft Azure services, including virtual machines, networking, security controls, backup, monitoring, storage, access control, and related infrastructure services.
- Support cloud security and governance capabilities, including conditional access, security posture management, role-based access control, logging, and monitoring.
- Support hybrid infrastructure integrations between on-premises systems, Azure, and Microsoft 365.
- Automate cloud and administrative tasks using scripting and command-line tools.
- Administer Microsoft 365 services, including email, collaboration, file sharing, communication tools, and related security/compliance features.
- Support compliance, retention, data protection, auditing, and information governance capabilities.
- Assist with enterprise security, compliance, and identity protection tools.
- Identity, Access, & Security
- Administer and support hybrid directory and cloud identity environments.
- Support MFA, access controls, and authentication workflows.
- Assist with identity lifecycle processes, group management, access reviews, and privileged access controls.
- Support security initiatives related to endpoint protection, vulnerability remediation, logging, monitoring, and compliance.
- Collaborate with Security and Infrastructure teams to ensure systems meet internal standards and regulatory requirements.
- Networking & Infrastructure
- Support core networking services including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, routing, switching, WAN, ISP connectivity, and VPN access.
- Support enterprise network infrastructure including firewalls, switches, wireless access points, and related management platforms.
- Configure and troubleshoot VPNs, firewall rules, network segmentation, and security policies.
- Support enterprise security tools related to endpoint security, email security, web protection, network access control, remote access, and network monitoring.
- Coordinate with vendors and support partners as needed.
- Virtualization, Backup, & Storage
- Build, administer, and troubleshoot Windows and Linux virtual machines using enterprise virtualization platforms.
- Monitor performance, optimize resource allocation, and support high availability and resource scheduling configurations.
- Assist with backup, restore, and disaster recovery operations.
- Experience with enterprise backup and replication solutions is preferred.
- Process, Documentation, & Support
- Monitor, update, and resolve tickets using enterprise IT service management tools.
- Use remote monitoring and management tools for monitoring, automation, endpoint/server management, and operational support.
- Serve as an escalation point and technical mentor for HelpDesk and support teams.
- Maintain clear and accurate documentation using enterprise documentation or knowledge management platforms.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on infrastructure upgrades, cloud initiatives, security improvements, and business integrations.
- Provide expert troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across Linux, Windows, Azure, Microsoft 365, virtualization, identity, and networking platforms.
- Participate in IT projects, including infrastructure modernization, acquisitions, migrations, and office integrations.
- Support compliance-related activities, including audit support and documentation requirements in regulated environments.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Graduate or equivalent (GED).
- At least 7 years of systems administration, infrastructure, or managed services experience.
- At least 5 years supporting Microsoft enterprise technologies, including Windows Server, directory services, DNS, DHCP, Microsoft 365, and hybrid identity environments.
- At least 2-3 years of hands-on Microsoft Azure administration experience.
- Hands-on experience administering enterprise Linux systems.
- Experience with enterprise virtualization platforms.
- Experience with ticketing, RMM, and documentation platforms.
- Strong troubleshooting experience across server, cloud, identity, virtualization, and networking technologies.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong technical troubleshooting, analytical, and root-cause analysis skills.
- Strong working knowledge of Linux, Microsoft, Azure, virtualization, identity, and enterprise infrastructure technologies.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Detail-oriented approach to documentation, change control, and operational execution.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Mature, responsible, and dependable team player.
- Strong customer service mindset.
- Ability to take initiative, own technical issues, and drive projects to completion.
- Ability to work effectively with technical teams, business users, vendors, and leadership.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Enterprise Linux certification or equivalent hands-on experience.
- Microsoft Azure certifications such as administrator or security-focused certifications.
- Microsoft 365 security, compliance, governance, and cloud identity experience.
- Experience supporting hybrid directory and cloud identity environments.
- Experience with MFA and conditional access policies.
- Experience with collaboration and file-sharing platform administration.
- Experience with enterprise networking and security platforms.
- Experience with backup and replication solutions.
- Experience with PowerShell, cloud command-line tools, Bash, or other scripting/automation tools.
- Experience supporting HIPAA, PCI, audit, or regulated enterprise environments.
- Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, system integrations, or infrastructure migrations.
Preferred Technology Experience:
- Microsoft Enterprise Linux administration
- Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 administration
- Hybrid identity and directory services
- Virtualization platforms
- Multi-factor authentication and conditional access
- Security, compliance, and information governance platforms
- Collaboration and file-sharing platforms
- IT service management, RMM, and documentation platforms
- Enterprise networking, security, and backup platforms
- PowerShell, cloud CLI, and Bash scripting
- Regulated enterprise environments such as HIPAA and PCI
Travel Requirements:
This position may require light travel within a ten-mile radius from one office location to another as needed within the Houston area.
Professional Development:
- Establish annual objectives for professional growth.
- Keep pace with developments in the discipline.
- Learn and apply technologies that support professional and personal growth.
- Participate in the evaluation process.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, type, and use mouse; reach with hands and arms and talk and/or hear. The employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. The position may require lifting, pulling or moving items weighing upwards of 10 pounds as it relates to office or desk supplies.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones via WebEx, physical phone while in office, and photocopiers when necessary.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time without notice.
AAP/EEO Statement:
ManhattanLife prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. EOE Employer/Vet/Disabled. ManhattanLife values differences. We are committed to fostering an environment that attracts and retains a diverse workforce. With individuals from a variety of backgrounds, ManhattanLife will be better equipped to service our customers, increase innovation, and reduce risks. We encourage the unique perspectives of individuals and are dedicated to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment.