About this role
Job Description
The Systems Administrator is responsible for the design, implementation, security, and day-to-day administration of the organization's Windows Server infrastructure, database platforms, and network services. This role requires deep, hands-on expertise in Microsoft SQL Server and Active Directory, as these systems form the operational backbone of the environment. The Systems Administrator ensures the availability, integrity, and performance of critical business systems including messaging, file services, backup and recovery, and certificate services, while proactively identifying and remediating risks to system stability and security.
• Active Directory & Identity Management: Administer an Active Directory forest, including domain controller health, replication, trust relationships, FSMO roles, and forest/domain functional levels.
• Design, implement, and maintain Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security baselines, configuration standards, and compliance requirements across the domain hierarchy.
• Manage user, group, and computer objects, organizational unit structure, and delegation of administrative rights.
• Administer DNS zones and records supporting the AD environment, including forward/reverse lookup zones and integration with Active Directory-integrated DNS.
• Manage DHCP scopes, reservations, and failover configuration to support reliable IP address allocation across the network.
• Maintain the internal Certificate Authority (CA), including certificate templates, issuance, renewal, and revocation for internal services and endpoints.
• SQL Server Administration: Administer Microsoft SQL Server 2019 instances supporting business-critical applications, including installation, configuration, and version/patch management.
• Design and maintain backup, restore, and disaster recovery strategies for SQL databases, including full, differential, and transaction log backup schedules.
• Monitor and tune database performance, including indexing strategy, query performance, and resource utilization.
• Manage SQL Server security, including logins, roles, permissions, and encryption, in alignment with organizational security policy.
• Perform routine database maintenance tasks (integrity checks, index maintenance, statistics updates) and troubleshoot database-related incidents.
• Messaging & Collaboration: Administer Microsoft Exchange Server 2019, including mailbox databases, transport rules, connectors, and mail flow troubleshooting.
• Monitor Exchange server health, storage capacity, and certificate bindings, and manage recipient and distribution group configuration.
• File Services & Storage: Administer the Windows File Server environment including Distributed File System (DFS) namespaces and replication, ensuring data availability and consistency across sites.
• Manage file share permissions, quotas, and storage capacity planning.
• Backup, Recovery & Patch Management: Administer Veeam Backup & Replication 12 to ensure reliable backup jobs, replication, and recoverability of virtual machines and critical systems.
• Perform regular backup verification, restore testing, and disaster recovery exercises.
• Manage Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to ensure timely, controlled deployment of security patches and updates across servers and workstations.
• General Systems Administration: Monitor overall system health, capacity, and security posture across the Windows Server 2019 environment.
• Document system configurations, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides in accordance with company documentation standards.
• Participate in an on-call rotation and respond to after-hours incidents as needed.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement improvements to infrastructure, automation, and security practices.
• Serve as a mentor and technical resource to customers, guiding and educating them on all systems within the Systems Administrator's scope of responsibility (Active Directory, SQL Server, Exchange, DFS/file services, backup/recovery, certificate services, and related infrastructure) to build their internal understanding and confidence.
Job Stipulations
• 10+ years of experience administering Windows Server environments, with demonstrated depth in Microsoft SQL Server 2019 and Active Directory (multi-domain/multi-forest experience strongly preferred).
• Proven, hands-on expertise in SQL Server administration: backup/recovery, performance tuning, security, and troubleshooting.
• Strong working knowledge of Active Directory architecture, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP in an enterprise environment.
• Experience administering Microsoft Exchange Server (2019 or comparable version).
• Experience with Windows File Server administration and DFS namespaces/replication.
• Experience managing a Certificate Authority and PKI certificate lifecycle.
• Experience with WSUS or comparable patch management tooling.
• Experience with Veeam Backup & Replication or comparable enterprise backup solutions.
• Strong PowerShell scripting ability for automation and administration tasks.
• Excellent troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.
• Preferred: relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator, or equivalent.
• Preferred: experience supporting environments for small-to-midsize businesses or managed/outsourced service providers.
• Preferred: familiarity with virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Core Competencies
• Deep technical proficiency in SQL Server and Active Directory administration (top priority for this role).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple systems and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Security-conscious approach to systems administration and change management.
• Reliable, accountable, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong mentoring and knowledge-transfer skills, with the ability to explain technical systems clearly and confidently to customers.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Work Environment
This role is based in Doha, Qatar, and occasional evening or weekend work may be required to perform maintenance, patching, or respond to system incidents outside normal business hours.
Company Benefits
Competitive health care package, vision, and dental, life insurance coverage, 401k matching, training expense, competitive PTO, Holiday and sick leave.
Zigabyte is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.