Systems Engineer – Data Center (Onsite – Houston, TX)

A prominent exploration and production oil and gas company is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Systems Engineer – Data Center (Onsite – Houston, TX) to join their Information Technology department. This permanent position, based in Houston, TX, is crucial for designing, implementing, and maintaining the organization’s critical data center systems, ensuring optimal security, performance, and reliability for all operational compute and infrastructure. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in safeguarding data, optimizing system efficiencies, and administering a wide array of solutions including storage, virtual hosts, and core business applications across the entire organization. This role directly supports the integrity and continuity of mission-critical operations, enabling the company to meet its strategic business objectives.

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Systems Engineer – Data Center (Onsite – Houston, TX)

Location: Houston, TX – Onsite Role

Employment Type: Permanent

Industry: Computer and Mathematical / Oil and Gas

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Key Responsibilities: What You’ll Be Doing

As a Systems Engineer specializing in Data Center operations, based in Houston, TX, you will be responsible for a diverse set of functions critical to the company’s IT infrastructure and overall business success. Your primary focus will include:

• Virtualization Infrastructure Administration: You will expertly administer server virtualization solutions, including but not limited to VMware and Hyper-V, across both on-premises and hybrid cloud environments. This is essential for supporting a wide range of business-critical applications and services that rely on a robust virtualized platform.
• Microsoft SQL Server Management: You will oversee the administration of Microsoft SQL Server, which includes managing clustering configurations, ensuring reliable SQL backups, and performing general operational and stability maintenance to keep core databases running smoothly.
• Identity and Access Management: You will be responsible for the oversight and guidance of the Microsoft Active Directory stack and the Microsoft 365/Azure Hybrid environment. This involves critical tasks such as user account management, the implementation and enforcement of group policies, and the meticulous administration of identity and access controls to maintain a secure environment.
• Backup Operations Oversight: In partnership with a third-party vendor, you will provide crucial oversight and guidance for Veeam-based backup operations. Your role will ensure that all enterprise systems have timely, accurate, and complete backups, which is paramount for data recovery and business continuity.
• Advanced Technical Support and Escalation: You will serve as a primary escalation point for the service desk, tackling and resolving complex technical issues related to servers, storage, and general IT infrastructure. Your expertise will be vital in addressing problems that frontline support cannot resolve.
• Cybersecurity Implementation and Enforcement: You will implement and rigorously enforce cybersecurity best practices across all data center and cloud technology layers. A proactive approach to identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities will be a continuous responsibility, safeguarding the company’s digital assets.
• Infrastructure Project Coordination: You will coordinate and execute various infrastructure projects specifically designed to support ongoing Exploration & Production (E&P) operations. This will involve effective collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet project objectives and strict timelines.

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Required Skills & Abilities: What You’ll Bring to the Team

The ideal candidate, for this Houston, TX-based role, will possess a strong technical foundation complemented by excellent problem-solving and communication skills. Key requirements include:

• Strong Virtualization Skills: Demonstrated proficiency, particularly with VMware ESXi or similar virtualization platforms. This includes hands-on experience with configuration, optimization techniques, and advanced troubleshooting of virtualized environments.
• Microsoft Directory Services and Hybrid Cloud Expertise: Proficiency, or the ability to quickly demonstrate proficiency, with on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (including DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy management) and Microsoft Entra/SharePoint within a hybrid cloud environment. Understanding the integration and administration across both on-premises and cloud identity solutions is crucial.
• Azure Services Management: Proven ability to effectively manage, administer, and optimize a range of Azure services, specifically in conjunction with on-premises and other cloud-based systems. This highlights experience in a multi-cloud or hybrid-cloud operational model.
• Storage Administration Experience: Demonstrated experience with storage administration, with a strong preference for candidates familiar with IBM storage systems. This includes practical knowledge of provisioning storage, performing maintenance tasks, and managing the lifecycle of both SAN (Storage Area Network) and NAS (Network Attached Storage) environments.
• Hardware Lifecycle Knowledge: A comprehensive understanding of hardware lifecycles for server and storage solutions is essential. This includes awareness of procurement, deployment, refresh cycles, and secure decommissioning processes.
• Documentation Proficiency: The ability to accurately document system diagrams, operational procedures, and intricate configurations using standard tools such as Visio, Microsoft Word, and Excel. Clear and concise documentation is vital for knowledge transfer and operational continuity.
• SCADA Familiarity (Preferred): Familiarity with server and application requirements pertaining to SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) industrial control systems within an Exploration & Production (E&P) environment is strongly preferred. This indicates a valuable understanding of specialized operational technology networks.
• Escalation Point Expertise: Proven ability to effectively serve as an escalation point for complex technical issues, demonstrating strong collaboration skills when working with service desk personnel and external third-party vendors to resolve problems efficiently.
• Communication Skills: Refined interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are paramount. This includes the crucial ability to clearly and effectively convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders across the organization.
• Self-Motivation and Independence: Must possess the ability to be self-motivated and to work independently with minimal to no supervision, demonstrating initiative and accountability in managing tasks and projects.

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Education & Experience: Your Background

• Core Experience: A minimum of 5 years of hands-on working experience with information systems in complex Enterprise environments is a mandatory requirement for this Houston, TX-based role.
• Industry Experience (Preferred): While not mandatory, 10 years of hands-on working experience with information systems specifically within the Oil and Gas industry is highly preferred, demonstrating a deeper understanding of industry-specific challenges and technologies.
• Academic Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Systems, or equivalent related work experience, is required.

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Language Skills

• English Fluency: Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English are required for effective collaboration and documentation within this Houston, TX-based position.

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Licenses, Certificates, Registrations (Preferred)

• Relevant Certifications: Certifications such as VMware VCP (VMware Certified Professional), Microsoft Windows Server, and Microsoft 365 Administrator are strongly preferred, validating specialized technical proficiencies.

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Work Environment & Physical Demands

This role, located in Houston, TX, operates within a professional office environment, routinely utilizing standard office equipment. Specific physical demands include:

• Sedentary Periods: Prolonged periods of sitting are common.
• Movement: May need to routinely move around the office to communicate with different groups and access equipment.
• Occasional Late Hours: The ability to occasionally work late to meet business demands and to facilitate meetings with the Tokyo office is required.
• Lifting: Must be able to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.
• Driving: A valid Driver’s License (DL) is required.