System Administrator / Windows Server Engineer

Our client is seeking a dedicated System Administrator / Windows Server Engineer to join our client's tight-knit IT team. This is an onsite position—no remote or hybrid options. The ideal candidate is professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and takes pride in their work. You will play a key role in a complex Windows-based environment, helping to modernize, stabilize, and secure our infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer and engineer server environments using VMware and Windows Server 2019 (with upcoming migration to Windows Server 2025).
• Support a primarily Windows-based infrastructure (minimal SQL Server involvement; mostly basic management).
• Participate in a major infrastructure “lift and shift,” including ordering new hardware, setting up fresh installs, and migrating or rebuilding Active Directory.
• Evaluate, document, and recommend solutions for legacy issues—propose actionable improvements, not just identify problems.
• Collaborate with a small, skilled team (help desk, server admins, security) in a highly visible, client-facing environment.
• Maintain a professional appearance: business casual required (e.g., golf shirt or equivalent; no suits, but also no t-shirts with stains or inappropriate graphics).
• Demonstrate initiative and accountability: take ownership, deliver timely responses, and show passion for IT excellence.
• Contribute to a positive, creative, and artsy company culture while upholding high standards for your own work and the team.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a System Administrator, Server Engineer, or similar role in a Windows/VMware environment.
• Strong knowledge of Active Directory, Windows Server, and virtualization (VMware).
• Experience with network technologies (Cisco and/or Unity) is a plus.
• Ability to assess, document, and improve IT systems—bring ideas and solutions, not just problems.
• Professional communication skills and the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders, including executives and clients.
• Commitment to maintaining a professional work environment.
• Self-motivated, reliable, and passionate about IT; able to work independently without micromanagement.

Team & Environment:

• Work alongside other professionals in a collaborative, supportive setting.
• Company culture is relaxed and creative, but the IT team maintains a high standard of professionalism and urgency.
• Direct impact and visibility—small team means your contributions matter.

Salary/ Rate: $43-50/hour (depends on experience level). This is a contract to hire position with candidates expected to work 40 hours/ week.

About The Company

Peterson Technology Partners (PTP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a transparent, inclusive, and human-centered hiring experience.

For more than 28 years, PTP has operated as one of the top IT staffing and recruiting firms in the USA—built on trust, long-term partnerships, and technical excellence.

Based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, IL, our team of more than 500 employees and consultants is dedicated to:

Helping every client make the best hiring decisions possible

Matching professionals with the right IT jobs and career opportunities

As part of that commitment, we believe in providing clear information about how our hiring technologies work and how your data is used. The following section outlines our AI-assisted interview process and your rights as a candidate.

AI-Assisted Interview Experience (Pete & Gabi – Rebecca)

To provide a consistent, fair, and flexible experience for all candidates, we use AI-assisted tools to support parts of the interview process. This includes our proprietary AI platform Pete & Gabi, which includes AI recruiter Rebecca.

These AI hiring tools help us:

• Transcribe interviews
• Summarize candidate responses
• Generate job-related insights
• Streamline communication and scheduling

Please note that:

The AI does NOT make hiring decisions; all decisions are made by our human recruiters, hiring managers, or client partners.

The AI does not evaluate facial expressions, emotions, or physical traits; it is used only to support fairness, consistency, and efficiency.

If you prefer a non-AI interview format, we will gladly provide an alternative.

Technical or Case Interviews (Role-Dependent):

When applying for certain tech jobs, you may participate in:

• A technical interview
• A coding challenge
• A case study
• A client-specific assessment

We will always explain what to expect in advance so you can prepare with confidence.

Human Review & Selection:

Every candidate's profile—including interviews, conversations, and assessments—is reviewed by experienced recruiters and hiring leaders.

AI insights may assist with organization and evaluation, but final decisions are always human-driven.

Your Rights as a Candidate:

At PTP, every candidate has the right to:

Request a non-AI interview path

Ask how your data is being used

Request access to transcripts or interview recordings

Request deletion of your AI-recorded interview

Receive clear, timely communication

Our goal is to ensure you feel respected, informed, and supported throughout your experience.

Our Commitment:

For more than 28 years, PTP has focused on putting people first—candidates, consultants, employees, and clients.

We're committed to a hiring process that is:

• Transparent
• Compliant
• Equitable
• Powered by innovative technology that enhances—not replaces—human judgment

Welcome to the future of hiring at Peterson Technology Partners.

We're excited to learn more about you.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Peterson Technology Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.