Senior System Administrator

The Senior Systems Administrator is responsible for the design, deployment, and ongoing administration of Zewail City’s server and computing infrastructure.

The role ensures high availability, security, and optimal performance of all on-premises and hybrid systems , including HP server hardware, Windows Server environments, virtualization platforms, storage, and identity services , in support of the University’s academic and administrative operations. 1-Server Infrastructure AdministrationDeploy, configure, and maintain server hardware (BladeSystem, DL, ML series) including firmware management, ILO configuration, and hardware health monitoring .Administer Windows Server environments (2016/2019/2022) including roles and features, patch management, Group Policy, and performance tuning.Manage and maintain the virtualization platform (VMware vSphere or Hyper-V) including VM provisioning, resource allocation, snapshots, and cluster management.Oversee SAN/NAS storage administration, volume provisioning, capacity planning, and backup integration.Maintain a hardware asset register and lifecycle plan for all server and storage equipment, including warranty tracking and refresh scheduling.

2.

Identity, Directory & Access ManagementOwn and administer Active Directory (AD DS) including domain controllers, OU structure, Group Policy Objects, user and computer accounts, and replication health.Manage Azure AD Connect / Microsoft Entra ID sync, ensuring consistent hybrid identity between on-premises AD and the M365 tenant.Administer DNS, DHCP, and NTP services, ensuring reliability and correct resolution across all campus zones.Configure and maintain NPS/RADIUS for 802.1X network access control, integrating with the wireless and wired infrastructure for WPA2-Enterprise authentication.

3.

Backup, Recovery & Business ContinuityDesign, implement, and test backup and disaster recovery procedures for all critical servers, applications, and data, ensuring RPO/RTO targets are defined and met.Manage backup software (Veeam or equivalent), scheduling, retention policies, and offsite/cloud replication to a designated DR site.Conduct and document quarterly DR drills; present results and remediation actions to the IT Director.Maintain runbooks for all critical system recovery procedures, ensuring documentation is current and accessible to authorized team members.

4.

Security Hardening & ComplianceApply and maintain security baselines across all server workloads; coordinate patch cycles to meet defined SLAs.Manage Windows Defender, endpoint protection policies, and server audit logging in coordination with the network/security team.Ensure privileged access to server infrastructure follows least-privilege principles, using Microsoft PIM or equivalent for elevated access governance.Support internal audits and institutional compliance requirements by providing system logs, access reports, and configuration evidence as required.

5.

Systems Monitoring & Continuous ImprovementDeploy and maintain infrastructure monitoring with alerting thresholds, on-call escalation paths, and monthly availability reports.Act as the technical escalation point for systems-related incidents, collaborating with the Application & Automation Manager for application-layer issues and with the network team for infrastructure-level faults.Maintain comprehensive systems documentation including topology diagrams, configuration baselines, change logs, and standard operating procedures.Evaluate and recommend infrastructure improvements, capacity upgrades, and technology refreshes, presenting business cases to the Infrastructure Manager.

Education :Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related field.Relevant professional certifications are a strong advantage (see Preferred Certifications below).Preferred Certifications :HPE ASE — Server Solutions Architect or HPE ATP — Server Solutions.Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (AZ-800/AZ-801).VMware VCP-DCV or Microsoft MCSA/MCSE (Server Infrastructure) or equivalent.ITIL Foundation or equivalent IT service management certification.Experience :Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in server and systems administration, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead capacity.Proven experience with HP server hardware administration in an enterprise or institutional environment.Experience in higher education or knowledge-intensive institutional environments is preferred.Technical Skills :-Windows Server: 2016/2019/2022, AD DS, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, NPS, WSUS, File Services.-Virtualization:VMware vSphere / ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V, clustering, vMotion, snapshots.-Storage:HP MSA / Nimble SAN/NAS, volume management, capacity planning, backup integration.-Identity & Security: Entra ID / Azure AD Connect, NPS/RADIUS, 802.1X, Microsoft PIM, CIS Benchmarks.-Backup & DR: Veeam Backup & Replication or equivalent, DR planning, RPO/RTO management.Other Skills :Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a methodical approach to fault diagnosis.Ability to work independently and manage priorities under pressure in a 24/7 operational environment.Excellent communication in Arabic and English (written and verbal).Collaborative team player with clear documentation habits and a commitment to knowledge sharing.