Senior IT System Administrator in Durham, North Carolina at Smart Wires, Inc.

Smart Wires provides advanced power flow control solutions and analytics that enable controllable power systems. This gives grid operators more control over where power flows and helps them use their existing networks more efficiently. Our solutions support system reliability, reduce congestion, and make it easier to integrate new load and generation while minimizing costs and community disruption. We collaborate with customers to achieve their strategic objectives and help them face an uncertain energy future with flexible, high-impact solutions.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior IT System Administrator to serve as a technical anchor for our small IT/Information Security team. In this role, you will own the architecture, administration, and continuous improvement of our hybrid on-premises and cloud infrastructure. Beyond hands-on technical work, you will bring strategic thinking, mentor junior staff or MSP partners, and help shape how Smart Wires’ technology environment scales as the company grows. You will report to and collaborate closely with the Director of Information Security & IT.

Primary Responsibilities

Infrastructure & Cloud Administration

• Architect, administer, and optimize Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 environments, including Entra ID, Exchange Online, Teams, Intune, and Defender for Business.
• Manage and improve VMware ESXi on-premises infrastructure, including capacity planning, patching, and performance tuning.
• Lead endpoint management strategy using N-Able RMM, including policy design, patch cadence, remote monitoring, and scripted automation.
• Own Okta identity governance, including advanced SSO integrations, lifecycle management workflows, MFA policy enforcement, and Okta Workflows automation.
• Maintain network infrastructure, including firewalls, VPN, DNS, and DHCP, in coordination with MSP partners.

Security & Compliance

• Partner with the InfoSec team to design and enforce security controls aligned with ISO 27001, SOC 2, and Cyber Essentials frameworks.
• Conduct access reviews, privilege management audits, and assist with vulnerability remediation across the environment.
• Serve as an escalation point for the MSP SOC on IT-related security incidents and support incident response activities.
• Contribute to security awareness and hygiene efforts, including MFA enforcement, endpoint hardening, and phishing response.

Operations & Support

• Provide escalated break/fix support for complex hardware, software, OS, and connectivity issues across Windows servers and workstations.
• Lead or contribute to IT project delivery, including system migrations, tool rollouts, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Develop and maintain IT documentation, runbooks, standard operating procedures, and asset inventory.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring timely provisioning, de-provisioning, and access reviews.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in IT system administration or infrastructure engineering, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead capacity.
• Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, including Entra ID, Intune, Defender for Business, and MS Purview.
• Strong VMware ESXi administration skills, including vCenter, and storage management.
• Advanced experience with Okta or a comparable enterprise IdP, including SSO/SAML/OIDC integrations and lifecycle automation.
• Proficiency with N-Able or equivalent RMM/MSP tooling for endpoint management and monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement security controls and operate within a compliance-conscious environment.
• Strong scripting skills (PowerShell required; Python or Bash a plus) and experience working with REST APIs for automation, integration, and operational efficiency.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document complex systems clearly and present recommendations to leadership.
• Self-directed and comfortable operating with significant autonomy in a small team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant certifications such as AZ-104, AZ-500, MS-102, VCP, or Okta Certified Administrator.
• Experience working within ISO 27001, SOC 2, or Cyber Essentials compliance programs.
• Familiarity with SIEM platforms, log aggregation, and working alongside an MSSP/SOC.
• Experience supporting a globally distributed workforce.

Location

• This is a hybrid position based in Durham, North Carolina. Candidates are expected to work in the office three (3) days a week.

Benefits

At Smart Wires, we strive to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that focuses on our employees’ total wellbeing, and our benefit offerings reflect that commitment to our people.

We offer:

• Flexible PTO
• Paid parental leave to support you and your family.
• Competitive total compensation packages that includes salary, bonus and equity.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

The Culture

We are passionate about creating a culture that empowers our team to create positive change for everyone and achieve their full potential, based on our core values:

Making an impact - We are passionate and ambitious about a better future for everyone. We are laser-focused on creating a meaningful, positive impact with real change for our customers, our industry, electricity consumers, and the planet.

Collaboration to drive success - We collaborate with each other, and our stakeholders, because we know even better outcomes come from great teamwork. We have humility because we know even better outcomes come from great teamwork. We have humility which allows us to listen, learn and improve. We value diverse perspectives and seek high impact results.

Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and behaviors, and for the outcomes we deliver. Acting with integrity and authenticity – and maintaining clear, open communication – ensures we are always improving, and delivering safe, high-quality solutions. We do what we say we will do.

Tenacious courage - We are clear on our path. We have always pioneered new ideas that challenge the status quo, even when it’s not popular. We have tenacity, grit and determination. We push the boundaries of what’s thought to be possible – so we can leave the world a better place than we found it.

**Smart Wires is committed to diversity in our organization and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Smart Wires complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and we especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of any skin color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities.**