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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Systems Administrator Lead - **Company:** Northwestern University - **Location:** Evanston, IL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $111,800.0 - $160,280.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Windows, Active Directory, Amazon Web Services, Apache HTTP Server, Apple Mac Systems, Microsoft Azure, Bash Shell, Microsoft Outlook, Software as a Service, Cloud Computing, Configuration Management, Cyber Security, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Linux, Github, Monitoring of Systems, Information Technology Operations, Python (Programming Language), Lightweight Directory Access Protocols (LDAP), PostgreSQL, Microsoft Office, MySQL, Microsoft PowerPoint, Windows PowerShell, Ansible, Microsoft SharePoint, Shell Script, Software Engineering, SQL Databases, Zabbix, Storage Technologies, Information Technology, Deployment Automation, Hardware Infrastructure, Puppet, Software Version Control, Docker, Programming Languages - **Published:** October 27, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.com/details/5940549858 ## About the Role * Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience. * 6 years system administration or other relevant experience required. Infrastructure * active directory design, administration * Amazon Web Services (AWS) * Apache * information security * LDAP * Linux Operating System * Mac OS X Operating System * Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook) * Microsoft SharePoint * Puppet/Chef/Ansible * Server hardware * SQL/MySQL/Postgres * Storage hardware * Windows Operating System * Azure Programming Languages and Frameworks * Microsoft PowerShell * Python * Shell Scripting Compliance * FERPA * HIPAA Analytical * critical thinking * Debugging * decision making * judgment * problem solving * Troubleshooting * use-case analysis Project * collaboration and teamwork * functional documentation * organizational skills Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.) * Experience in customer service / customer support environment * Experience in an academic medical center * Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, management of own time, and respect for the time of others * Excellent planning and scheduling skills * Demonstrated ability to effectively control and participate in multiple projects of varying priorities in a consistently professional manner * Ability to establish and maintain respectful and effective relationships with management, co-workers and customers Preferred Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in a related field. * 2+ years of management experience. ## Description The System Administrator Lead serves as the manager and technical leader of the Platform Services team within Feinberg IT's Infrastructure team. Reporting to the Director of Infrastructure, this hands-on leadership position is responsible for supervising, mentoring, and developing a team of three systems administrators while participating in the design, implementation, support, and improvement of the platforms and services managed by the team. The position provides technical leadership for infrastructure, application hosting, and research computing services deployed primarily on Linux platforms, with some support for Windows-based application hosting environments, both on-premises and in the cloud. Responsibilities include driving automation, standardization, monitoring, and operational improvements while helping ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of critical services. The successful candidate will possess experience with systems administration, scripting and automation technologies such as Bash, Python, and PowerShell, configuration management and monitoring tools including Ansible, Puppet, Foreman, and Zabbix, source control platforms such as GitHub, and cloud technologies including AWS and Microsoft Azure. The System Administrator Lead collaborates closely with infrastructure, information security, application development, and research computing teams to deliver reliable and maintainable technology solutions. Exposure to deployment automation, CI/CD practices, Docker, and Active Directory-integrated environments is desirable. Experience supporting web and application hosting platforms utilizing technologies such as Apache, PostgreSQL, and MySQL is beneficial. The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to learn new technologies and help the team continue improving its automation and operational capabilities. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with effective leadership skills, experience leading technical projects and mentoring technical staff, and a commitment to developing employees, improving operational processes, and delivering high-quality technology services to the Feinberg School of Medicine community. Leads teams completing projects involving infrastructure, which includes instructing, directing, and checking the work of other team members. Oversees the design of the work and partners with users to develop specifications. Conducts quality assurance review of the project and evaluates and documents team procedures. Oversees the installation, maintenance, configuration, and integrity of University infrastructure. Implements enhancements that will improve the infrastructure's reliability and performance. This specific role will be one of the three infrastructure leads for the Feinberg IT team. This position will focus on Linux, cloud and automation related infrastructure with occasional support of Windows infrastructure Specific Responsibilities: Strategic Planning * Recommends purchases and capital equipment. * Partners with new and existing clients to ensure that systems meet client needs. * Advises client management on direction of systems, operations, staff allocation, budgets, and scalability. Development * Manages and coordinate IT initiatives and projects across organization units. * Works closely with Architecture, Development and Security group on IT operations. Performance * Oversees system enhancements that will improve the reliability and performance of the system. * Ensures design reviews are completed for all new infrastructure and improvements to existing systems. Supervises * Provides work direction and/or supervises staff such as team members, subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc. * Coaches and mentors staff. * Manages projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met and meet expectations. * Organizes and performs technical training within or outside the team. * Miscellaneous Performs other duties as assigned.