The Senior Systems Administrator is responsible for the administration, support, optimization, and continuous improvement of the enterprise IT infrastructure supporting Shield AI's business operations. This role designs, implements, maintains, and troubleshoots enterprise systems across cloud, endpoint, identity, server, and collaboration platforms while ensuring secure, reliable, and scalable services.
The Senior Systems Administrator partners with Infrastructure, Networking, Security, and Engineering teams to deliver operational excellence, improve system reliability, automate administrative processes, and support strategic IT initiatives. This position serves as a technical lead for enterprise infrastructure projects and provides advanced troubleshooting for complex operational issues.
What you'll do:
- Administer, maintain, and optimize enterprise Windows, Linux, and macOS systems supporting corporate business operations.
- Design, implement, configure, and support enterprise infrastructure including cloud services, identity management, endpoint management, collaboration platforms, and core IT systems.
- Analyze system performance, availability, and operational metrics to proactively improve reliability, scalability, and security.
- Administer Active Directory, Azure AD/Entra ID, Group Policy, authentication services, and role-based access controls.
- Deploy, maintain, and support endpoint management platforms including Microsoft Intune, JAMF, and related management technologies.
- Plan and execute infrastructure upgrades, migrations, patch management, and lifecycle replacement initiatives.
- Lead technical implementation of enterprise IT projects while coordinating with Infrastructure, Security, Networking, and business stakeholders.
- Troubleshoot complex infrastructure, operating system, cloud, and application issues using root cause analysis methodologies.
- Support LAN/WAN connectivity, DNS, DHCP, VPN, and network-related troubleshooting in partnership with networking teams.
- Develop automation using PowerShell, Bash, or similar scripting languages to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual administration.
- Maintain accurate system documentation, architecture diagrams, operational procedures, and knowledge base articles.
- Manage enterprise hardware and software assets throughout their lifecycle including procurement, deployment, maintenance, and decommissioning.
- Participate in incident response, change management, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity activities.
- Participate in an on-call rotation and perform scheduled maintenance outside normal business hours as required.
- Mentor junior administrators and provide technical guidance across the Enterprise IT organization.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of progressively responsible experience administering enterprise IT infrastructure and systems.
- Strong experience supporting Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems within enterprise environments.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory, Azure AD (Entra ID), Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and identity management.
- Experience administering Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and Intune.
- Experience managing endpoint platforms such as JAMF, Intune, or Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
- Working knowledge of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, routing, VPN, DNS, firewalls, and network troubleshooting.
- Experience supporting enterprise cloud infrastructure and SaaS platforms.
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root cause analysis skills across operating systems, infrastructure, and enterprise applications.
- Experience implementing system upgrades, migrations, and enterprise infrastructure projects.
- Experience with scripting and automation using PowerShell, Bash, or similar tools.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high operational standards.
- Willingness to participate in an on-call rotation and support planned maintenance activities.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience
- 5+ years administering enterprise IT infrastructure and systems
- Experience supporting Windows, Linux, and macOS in enterprise environments
- Advanced knowledge of Active Directory, Azure AD (Entra ID), Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP
- Experience administering Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, Teams, and SharePoint
- Experience managing endpoint platforms such as Microsoft Intune, JAMF, or Microsoft Endpoint Manager
- Working knowledge of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, VPN, DNS, firewalls) and network troubleshooting
- Experience supporting enterprise cloud infrastructure and SaaS platforms
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root cause analysis skills across OS, infrastructure, and applications
- Experience implementing system upgrades, migrations, patch management, and infrastructure projects
- Scripting and automation experience using PowerShell, Bash, or similar
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high operational standards
- Willingness to participate in an on-call rotation and perform scheduled maintenance outside normal business hours
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
