Sr. Systems Engineer

Job Title: Senior Infrastructure Engineer / Sr. Systems Engineer

Location: South San Francisco, CA (Hybrid 3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

Engagement Type: Long-Term Contract with Potential for Full-Time Conversion

Industry Requirement: Biotech experience is mandatory

Original note from the client:

We do have a need for a senior IT systems engineer with strong communication, project management skills and experience with technical skills in windows system administration and a background working in biotech.

Opportunity Overview

A growing biotech organization is seeking a Lead Infrastructure Engineer to help strengthen and scale its corporate IT infrastructure as the business matures toward its next stage of growth.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an engineer who can take ownership of infrastructure initiatives from planning through implementation, improve the reliability and scalability of core systems, and help establish the operational standards expected of a growing, increasingly sophisticated biotech organization.

The immediate need is driven by a temporary coverage gap within the infrastructure team, alongside an existing managed service provider (MSP) relationship. One of the system engineers supporting this environment will be taking a leave of absence, creating a need for additional technical ownership and continuity. While the initial need is immediate, the organization views this as a longer-term opportunity with the potential to convert to a permanent position.

The ideal candidate brings strong Windows and server infrastructure expertise, virtualization experience, working knowledge of networking, and familiarity with Okta for single sign-on (SSO). The environment also includes Mac endpoints, so the ability to support and understand a mixed-device environment is important, although the primary focus is infrastructure rather than end-user support.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure Engineering & Technical Ownership

• Own the design, implementation, administration, and ongoing improvement of Windows-based infrastructure and server environments.
• Lead infrastructure projects end to end, including requirements gathering, planning, solution design, implementation, testing, documentation, and operational handoff.
• Evaluate existing infrastructure and identify opportunities to improve reliability, performance, scalability, security, and operational efficiency.
• Administer and optimize virtualization platforms and associated server infrastructure.
• Support core networking services and troubleshoot infrastructure issues across network, server, and endpoint environments.
• Establish and maintain technical documentation, standards, procedures, and repeatable operational practices.

Identity, Access & Endpoint Environment

• Support and improve identity and access management workflows, including Okta SSO and related authentication integrations.
• Partner with security and application stakeholders to maintain reliable, secure access to corporate systems.
• Work within a mixed endpoint environment that includes Mac devices, understanding endpoint management and integration with the broader infrastructure.
• Collaborate with relevant teams to support device lifecycle management, configuration standards, and secure access.

Infrastructure Maturity

• Help mature infrastructure practices to support a growing biotech organization preparing for the operational, security, and governance expectations
• Improve infrastructure documentation, change management, asset visibility, access controls, recovery planning, and operational consistency.
• Contribute to business continuity, backup and disaster recovery practices, and infrastructure resilience.
• Partner with security, compliance, and business stakeholders to support audit readiness and appropriate technology controls.
• Bring experience from a company that has scaled through a significant growth phase or prepared for an IPO, applying relevant lessons without overengineering the environment.

MSP & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the existing MSP to coordinate support, troubleshoot escalations, clarify ownership, and maintain service continuity.
• Take ownership of infrastructure issues and projects that require deeper internal technical expertise.
• Identify opportunities to improve the division of responsibilities between internal IT and the MSP.
• Collaborate with internal IT, security, application owners, and research or laboratory stakeholders as needed to ensure infrastructure supports business operations.

Mentorship & Technical Leadership

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to one dotted-line team member.
• Share knowledge, improve technical practices, and help establish consistent approaches to infrastructure operations.
• Serve as a senior technical resource without requiring a formal people-management background.

Required Qualifications

• Significant hands-on experience in infrastructure engineering or systems administration, ideally at a senior or lead level.
• Strong expertise in Windows Server administration and enterprise infrastructure.
• Experience managing virtualization technologies and supporting server environments.
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals, including switching, routing, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, and network troubleshooting.
• Experience with Okta, particularly SSO, identity integrations, and access management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead infrastructure projects from initial requirements through implementation and handoff.
• Previous biotech industry experience is required, ideally in a research-driven or regulated environment.
• Experience working in a high-growth company that has scaled infrastructure, processes, and controls in preparation for an IPO or similar major business milestone.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, documentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgment, and collaborate effectively with an MSP and internal stakeholders.