System Engineer III

This position may be located in Billings, MT; Sioux Falls, SD; or Bend, OR.
What’s Important to You
We know your career is just one aspect of a meaningful, complex, and demanding life. That’s why we designed our compensation and benefits package to provide employees and their families with as much choice as possible.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) in addition to paid federal holidays.
• Student debt employer repayment program.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match.
• The health and happiness of the places we call home matter to us. Learn a little more about what we do for the communities we serve and why we want YOU to be a part of it.

We encourage you to apply. Reach for what you want and tell us why your work ethic and willingness to learn make you a natural fit for #TeamFirstInterstate.
SUMMARY
The System Engineer III is responsible for the design, installation, administration, and optimization of the company's storage, computer environment, and servers—including Windows, Linux/Unix, Citrix, hypervisors, and related components—to ensure high performance of various business applications. This role applies advanced knowledge of the job area to lead initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and potentially serve as a team lead.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures the availability of client and server applications.
• Configures new implementations and develops processes and procedures for ongoing server environment management.
• Handles access issues and assists in maintaining the physical security, integrity, and safety of the data center and server farm.
• Monitors and resolves server resource issues and assists with capacity planning.
• Monitors storage usage and resources, and troubleshoots storage-related issues.
• Manages and tests disaster recovery and business continuity strategies to ensure operational resilience.
• Assists in audit walkthroughs with internal and external stakeholders.
• Meets end-user needs by ensuring uptime, performance, resource availability, and network security within established budgets and operational guidelines.
• Determines and diagrams the physical layout, illustrating the location and connections between devices on the network.
• Determines and diagrams the logical layout, documenting communication protocols and types of services/applications for each network segment.
• Automates routine tasks using scripting and writes basic programs to support complex systems software configuration and enhancement.
• Manages projects and processes while working independently with limited supervision.
• Coaches and reviews the work of lower-level professionals.
• Addresses difficult and occasionally complex problems.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficiency in Microsoft-based solutions including Active Directory, Group Policy, Windows File and Print Services, DNS, and System Center Configuration Manager.
• Deep knowledge of Windows Server operating systems including Windows Server 2016, 2019, and newer versions.
• Knowledge of Linux-based operating systems, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu-based distributions.
• Expertise in client operating systems including Windows 10 and newer versions.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and other networking protocols.
• Understanding of load balancing technologies such as NetScaler and BIG-IP.
• Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, and understanding of backup and replication technologies.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python, and Bash to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and vulnerability management.
• Ability to use system monitoring tools for performance tuning and ensuring reliability.
• Strong analytical skills to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with team members, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference, plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a wide variety of technical instructions in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form, and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required
• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems or Computer Science preferred
• 7-9 years experience in server administration or related and/or equivalent combination of education and experience required

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Industry certifications such as Server + preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the company provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

• Dexterity of hands/fingers to operate computer keyboard and mouse - Frequently
• Lifting - Occasionally (up to 50 lbs)
• Sitting - Frequently
• Standing - Occasionally
• Noise Level - Moderate
• Typical Work Hours - M-F (8-5)
• Weekends Required - Subject to business need
• Regular and Predictable Attendance - Required