Systems Engineer

About Us

Schring Consulting is a trusted provider of IT Professional Services, helping organizations plan, build, and deliver technology initiatives that drive business success. Founded in 2003, Schring specializes in software development, project delivery, IT consulting, and staff augmentation. We partner with clients across multiple industries, providing high-quality technical talent and innovative solutions to solve complex business challenges.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join an IT Systems Engineering and Operations team. This is a contract-to-hire, hybrid opportunity based in Worcester, Massachusetts. This role is expected to be onsite at least 3x per week.

The role is responsible for the infrastructure, platforms, and configuration that keep the enterprise applications running. The Systems Engineer will work across the full application stack: operating systems, web and application servers, databases, and access configuration. The goal is for applications to be patched, available, well documented, and securely configured. The position works closely with application owners, vendors, Information Security, the Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Integrations teams, and IT colleagues to support the organization’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Platform & Application Administration

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain the servers and platforms that host enterprise applications such as CBORD, StarRez, 25Live, and other departmental systems, whether on premises, vendor-hosted, or SaaS.
• Coordinate application upgrades and vendor releases with departmental owners, including testing, change requests, scheduling, and rollback planning.
• Configure and maintain web and application servers (IIS, Apache, Nginx, Tomcat), including bindings, reverse proxies, load balancing, and TLS certificates.
• Work with the Integrations team, which builds and supports integrations between systems, to give applications what they need on the platform side (network connectivity, service accounts, API access, and file transfer endpoints) and to troubleshoot integration issues with core systems such as SIS, HR, IAM, and payment processors.

Patching & Lifecycle Management

• Own the patching cycle for operating systems, middleware, and application components on assigned systems, following established maintenance windows and change management.
• Track vendor support lifecycles and plan upgrades before end-of-support dates.
• Maintain configuration baselines and fix drift and audit findings within defined timelines.

Database Administration

• Administer application databases (primarily Microsoft SQL Server; also MySQL/PostgreSQL), including installation, maintenance plans, backups, restores, performance tuning, and access permissions.
• Work with vendors on schema upgrades, data fixes, and performance problems.

Access & Identity Configuration

• Configure the server and application side of authentication and authorization, including SSO (SAML, OIDC), role-based access, and service accounts, in coordination with the IAM team, which owns identity services such as Microsoft Entra ID.
• Carry out application-level access configuration and support periodic access reviews for assigned applications, following IAM team processes, least privilege, and institutional policy.
• Work with Information Security on vulnerability remediation, certificate management, and incident response for assigned systems.

Operations & Support

• Provide Tier II/III support for escalated application and infrastructure incidents, and drive root cause analysis.
• Monitor system health, logs, and alerts, and tune monitoring to catch issues early.
• Take part in backup, recovery, and disaster recovery testing for assigned applications.
• Write PowerShell, Python, or Bash scripts to automate routine administration, patching, and reporting.
• Keep runbooks, system diagrams, configuration records, and CMDB entries accurate and up to date.
• Participate in an on-call rotation and support after-hours maintenance windows as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–6 years of progressive systems administration experience, including at least 2 years supporting enterprise or vendor applications.
• Experience supporting higher education auxiliary systems (CBORD, StarRez, 25Live) preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong Windows Server administration skills; working knowledge of Linux.
• Hands-on experience with IIS and/or Apache/Nginx/Tomcat, including TLS certificate management.
• Microsoft SQL Server administration (backup/restore, maintenance, permissions, and basic query tuning).
• Patch management tools and practices (MECM/SCCM, WSUS, Intune, Azure Update Manager, or similar).
• Configuring servers and applications for SSO (SAML, OIDC, and Entra ID) and role-based access models.
• Scripting in PowerShell; Python or Bash is a plus.
• Virtualization (Nutanix AHV preferred) and Azure/Microsoft 365 fundamentals.
• Familiarity with monitoring and logging tools, and with compliance requirements such as FERPA and PCI DSS.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
• CompTIA Server+, Linux+, or Security+
• ITIL Foundation

Location

• Hybrid (3x per week onsite) – Worcester, Massachusetts

Employment Type

• Contract-to-hire
• FTE Salary: $90k + excellent benefits

Application Question(s):

• Do you have hands-on experience administering Windows Server environments and troubleshooting production systems?
• Do you have hands-on experience administering web or application servers such as Microsoft IIS, Apache, Nginx, or Tomcat?
• Do you have experience administering Microsoft SQL Server, including backups, restores, maintenance, permissions, and basic performance tuning?
• Have you managed operating system and application patching using tools such as MECM/SCCM, WSUS, Intune, Azure Update Manager, or similar platforms?
• Do you have hands-on experience with application authentication and access configuration, including SSO, SAML/OIDC, TLS certificates, role-based access, or service accounts?

Experience:

• Systems Administration: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Worcester, MA 01609 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Worcester, MA 01609