Sr. Server Engineer

Sr. Server Engineer

PURPOSE: 

This role will provide escalated support and operational maintenance to client environments.  This role will also work on project-based initiatives for clients, including upgrades to existing infrastructure and deployment of new technology.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Serve as escalation point for the Ascend Technologies Network Operations Center (NOC) and support engineers for questions and complex issue resolution  
• Strong communication skills to be able to work with clients and assist non-technical users with troubleshooting remotely  
• Operate and maintain Windows servers on a virtualized environment (VMWare/Hyper-V)  
• Experience building and working within Azure/AWS environments  
• Experience with support and administration of environments with high-availability and disaster recovery technologies  
• Troubleshooting skills to be used to analyze various alerts from servers and get to root cause of the issues.  
• Understanding of server operating systems, how to remotely manage servers operating systems and hard.    
• Assess resource utilization (memory and CPU) to troubleshoot low recourse utilization alerts  
• General understanding for network concepts TCP/IP, OSI, vlan, IP, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, etc.)  
• General understanding of certificates, what they are used for and how they are generated  

Windows Server OS  

• Familiar with all Microsoft support operating systems (knowledge of deprecated server OS’s will be needed as well 2003, 2008, and 2008R2)  
• Familiar with all the installable Windows Roles and Features available for the versions of the MS Operating Systems.  Including but not limited to:  
• Active Directory/Entra 
• DNS  
• DHCP  
• File Service  
• Print Services  
• Failover Clustering   
• Remote Desktop Services  
• Network Policy and Access Services  
• Web Server  
• NTP  
• WMI  
• Certificate Authorities  
• General understanding on how to backup and recovery options for windows server OS’s  
• General understanding on how window server OS’s security and feature patching works   
• Understand the difference between share and NTFS permissions and how effective permissions are calculated  
• Understand where windows will log issues as well as the various Roles and Features that can be added to any windows server OS.  Need to be able to review these log entries and find additional information about the events and possible causes.     
• Understanding of a Microsoft Certificate Authority hierarchy (root CA, intermediate CA, etc.) and how certificates are issued and revoked  

Server Virtualization  

• VMWare  
• Understand the vSphere components and what their function in the environment is VCSA (vCenter), hosts, datastores, vSwitches/PortGroups, and VM’s  
• General understanding on how to troubleshoot resource utilization alerts from Hosts, datastores, and VM’s  
• Understand what a snapshot is and what its use cases are (when to use them when to not)  
• Understanding of what the VMware Tools are and how to update them   
• Understand what maintenance mode is and how it is used  
• General understanding of how hosts are patched and rebooted  
• Windows Hyper-V  

Network  

• Maintain a high level of knowledge on the deployment of network and voice technologies.  
• Perform traffic engineering analysis on network facilities.  
• Knowledge of network equipment including Cisco routers, and switches.  
• Knowledge of network protocols, technologies, services, and monitoring tools.  
• Maintain and update system and network documentation.  
• Assist in compiling training materials to support operational requirements  
• Manage vendor and/or product provisioning, procurement, and delivery of LAN and WAN hardware, and delivery of data services  

MINIMUM SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Demonstrated understanding of cloud technology infrastructure and applications.  Capable of responding to client questions, providing operational maintenance, performing upgrades, and troubleshooting issues. Individuals will be contributing to client satisfaction by providing clients with timely and responsive services and work products.  

• 7+ years of similar work experience in a client facing role  
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills  
• Microsoft (MCP, MCSA) certifications preferred  
• Linux skills a plus  
• Advanced PowerShell scripting experience  
• Ability to perform off-hours changes  
• Ability to be in an on-all rotation  

We are seeking highly motivated individuals who meet the following criteria:  

• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills  
• A passion for technology, problem-solving, and customer service  
• Efficiently manage multiple tasks  
• Contribute in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment  
• Possess strong problem solving and analytical skills  
• Exhibit excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal and organization skills  
• Upbeat, friendly, motivated and ready to help contribute to our team and the needs of our clients.   

At Ascend Technologies we firmly believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only fundamental values but also powerful drivers of innovation, growth, and success. We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. 

CORE VALUES 

We are seeking highly motivated individuals who have the willingness and ability to demonstrate Ascend core values:   

• Committed to Client Success: Our actions and our words always align with the best interest of the client. 

• One Team: We work collaboratively to overcome challenges with humility and respect and do what it takes to find innovative solutions. 

• Integrity: We are unquestionably committed to doing the right thing even when it is hard. 

• Accountability: We hold ourselves and each other accountable for keeping our commitments to our clients, our communities, and one another. 

• Transparency: We create open lines of communication with each other and our clients, fostering relationships founded on candor and trust.