Senior Systems Administrator

Skyline Furniture is accepting applications for an experienced Senior Systems Administrator with expertise in infrastructure and systems management. The role is primarily focused on the design, procurement, setup, monitoring, and long-term operations of critical systems that our office and factories rely upon, including networks, servers, directory services, security, hardware, software, video conferencing systems. We’re looking for candidates who not only enjoy systems administration work, but who are also interested in helping to set our future direction and establish an effective IT culture that plays a big role in our success.

Given the hands-on nature of the work, this is an in-office position. Once our systems become more automated and remotely capable (thanks to your work!), some level of hybrid office/remote can be explored. However, there will always be some element of in-office work weekly.

A few things to know about our team:

We are a small but critical IT team inside Skyline, a company dedicated to producing fashion-forward, affordable furniture in Chicagoland. We build and maintain all infrastructure and systems related to the business. As a small team our work is both broad and deep and requires thoughtful prioritization and solutions.

Clear communication, a proactive mindset, and thorough technical solutions are the cornerstones of our work.

While much of our work is focused on day-to-day operational excellence, there are major opportunities down the road for establishing and supporting brand new directions and systems. You will have the autonomy and ownership to propose and execute solutions as appropriate.

You’ll report directly to the VP of Information Systems and have regular check-ins with feedback around your performance, project work, and career progression.

Qualifications and Responsibilities

• At least 5 years of full-time experience in a Systems Administrator role, with hands on, tactical experience managing networks, servers, directory services, security, hardware, software, video conferencing systems, etc.
• Flexible, broad technical knowledge integrating a wide variety of hardware, software, and systems. Our systems have been grown and integrated over time, so there is a broad variety of elements that must be interconnected to work together.
• Good understanding of tradeoffs and priorities and can effectively communicate them both in writing and verbally to stakeholders and teammates.
• A highly organized and disciplined mindset as it relates to system management, including planning, documentation, rollouts, training, and ongoing maintenance.
• Deep experience setting up, managing, and monitoring open source solutions, including Linux distributions, app/web servers (Tomcat, etc), databases (Postgres, MySQL), event streaming (Apache Kafka), crons/scheduling, etc. Experience managing Windows Server and related services like SQL Server is a plus (our servers are currently all Windows Server, but we are moving toward Linux).
• Experience with server virtualization and Hyper-V (current state)
• Experience with on premises Microsoft Active Directory, Azure Active Directory/Entra ID, or similar directory services.
• Experience setting up and developing proactive uptime monitoring processes across a wide variety of systems, including alerts/paging, on-call processes, and runbooks
• Experience implementing backup systems, disaster recovery processes, and disaster recovery testing.
• Comfortable actively supporting both Windows and Mac hardware/software through a full lifecycle of events, from purchasing to support to repairs to EOL/replacement.
• Some schedule flexibility for before/after hours work and to respond to on-call events. We keep this to a minimum, but at times system work or alerts may require after hours work to minimize disruptions to business operations.
• A willingness and interest in developing and shaping new processes and operations – setting technical standards, proposing solutions, choosing tools, establishing DevOps procedures, creating new systems that don’t exist yet, etc.
• Enjoys mentoring and growing junior team members technically, functionally, and professionally.
• Candidates local to Thornton, IL (Chicago) required. Given the hands on nature of this IT work, being in the office and/or factory buildings for both planned and unplanned work will be necessary to support operations. We are not able to sponsor visas or hire outside the U.S.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience
• Performance bonus based on company and individual achievements
• Full health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• 401k with company match

To Apply

• Please email careers@skylinefurnituremfg.com with resume and "Senior Systems Administrator" in the subject line.