Lead System Administrator

About Unified Infotech

Unified Infotech is an ISO 9001:2015 certified, multi-award-winning digital transformation partner headquartered in Kolkata, India, with office in New York. With over 15 years of industry experience, the company helps startups, MSMEs and enterprises transform their businesses through innovative technology solutions.

Unified Infotech specialises in web and mobile application development, UI/UX design, SaaS and product engineering, IT consulting, staff augmentation, cloud migration and data analytics. Recognised among Deloitte's fastest-growing technology companies in India and the Asia-Pacific region in 2019, the company is committed to delivering scalable, secure and high-quality digital solutions that drive business growth.

Job Overview

Unified Infotech is seeking an experienced and proactive Lead System Administrator to lead and manage the organisation's IT infrastructure, system administration and network operations. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in Windows and Linux environments, network management, IT security, backup and disaster recovery and infrastructure monitoring.

The role involves overseeing infrastructure reliability, ensuring system security and availability, resolving complex technical issues and providing technical guidance to the IT support team. The candidate will also be responsible for implementing IT best practices, improving operational efficiency and ensuring seamless technology operations across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

1. System Administration & Infrastructure Management

• Lead the administration, configuration and maintenance of Windows Server and Linux environments.
• Ensure the availability, performance, scalability and reliability of servers, systems and IT infrastructure.
• Oversee system upgrades, security patches, software updates and infrastructure maintenance activities.
• Configure, manage and troubleshoot network services, including DNS, DHCP, VPNs and related infrastructure components.
• Identify opportunities to optimise infrastructure performance and improve system reliability.

2. Network & IT Operations Management

• Manage and monitor the organisation's network infrastructure, connectivity and internal IT systems.
• Oversee network configuration, troubleshooting and maintenance to ensure uninterrupted business operations.
• Diagnose and resolve complex system, network and connectivity issues.
• Coordinate with internet service providers, telecom vendors and technology partners for issue resolution and service management.
• Establish standard operating procedures for IT operations and infrastructure support.

3. Team Leadership & Technical Support

• Lead, guide and support the system administration and IT support team in day-to-day operations.
• Allocate tasks, monitor progress and ensure timely resolution of technical issues and service requests.
• Provide technical guidance for complex escalations and ensure adherence to defined support procedures.
• Manage the setup, configuration, maintenance and allocation of laptops, desktops and other IT assets.
• Coordinate with internal departments to understand IT requirements and ensure effective technical support.

4. User & Access Management

• Manage user accounts, access permissions, security groups and authentication policies through Active Directory and other identity management systems.
• Ensure appropriate access controls and compliance with internal IT security policies.
• Oversee employee onboarding and exit-related IT activities, including account creation, access revocation and asset management.
• Review access permissions periodically to maintain security and prevent unauthorised access.

5. IT Security & Compliance

• Implement and maintain security measures, including firewalls, endpoint protection, antivirus solutions and access control mechanisms.
• Monitor system logs, security alerts and vulnerabilities and ensure appropriate corrective action.
• Establish and enforce IT security policies, system hardening practices and infrastructure access standards.
• Support internal audits and ensure proper documentation of IT assets, configurations and security procedures.
• Identify potential security risks and implement preventive measures to safeguard organisational systems and data.

6. Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Manage and monitor regular backup operations and ensure data integrity and recoverability.
• Develop, maintain and periodically test backup and disaster recovery procedures.
• Ensure business continuity through effective recovery planning and incident response.
• Investigate backup failures and implement corrective actions to minimise data loss and service disruption.

7. Virtualisation & Cloud Infrastructure

• Manage virtualised environments using platforms such as VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V.
• Support the administration and optimisation of cloud infrastructure on AWS, Microsoft Azure or other relevant platforms.
• Evaluate infrastructure requirements and recommend suitable solutions for performance, scalability and cost efficiency.

8. Monitoring, Documentation & Reporting

• Implement and maintain infrastructure monitoring tools to track server performance, network availability and system health.
• Maintain accurate documentation of IT infrastructure, network configurations, system changes, troubleshooting procedures and asset inventories.
• Prepare periodic reports on infrastructure performance, incidents, service availability and team activities.
• Define and monitor operational metrics, response times and issue-resolution timelines.
• Identify recurring technical issues and implement long-term corrective and preventive measures.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience in system administration, IT infrastructure management or network administration.
• Strong hands-on experience with Windows Server and Linux operating systems.
• Good understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, routing and switching.
• Experience managing Active Directory, user access controls and endpoint administration.
• Practical knowledge of virtualisation technologies such as VMware or Hyper-V.
• Experience with backup solutions, disaster recovery planning and data recovery procedures.
• Knowledge of firewalls, endpoint security, vulnerability management and IT security best practices.
• Familiarity with infrastructure monitoring tools such as Nagios, Zabbix or SolarWinds.
• Exposure to AWS, Microsoft Azure or other cloud platforms.
• Experience leading or mentoring an IT support or system administration team.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, coordination and stakeholder management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, Linux or AWS.
• Experience managing IT infrastructure across multiple office locations.
• Familiarity with IT service management practices, incident management and change management.
• Experience developing IT policies, standard operating procedures and infrastructure improvement plans.