Job Title

Senior Specialist: Server Infrastructure Contract 12 months with possible extension Brampton, ON Overview The Senior Specialist: Server Infrastructure is responsible for assisting in the design, implementation, and management of both cloud and on-premise server infrastructure within the organizations IT environment. This role provides technical expertise in evaluating, selecting, and deploying infrastructure solutions that ensure security, availability, scalability, and performance across enterprise systems. The ideal candidate is hands-on, solution-oriented, and capable of operating as a Level 3 technical expert while also mentoring junior team members and contributing to strategic infrastructure planning. Key Responsibilities Infrastructure Design & Implementation Assist in the design of server infrastructure solutions across: Microsoft Windows Server, Exchange Linux environments Azure and other cloud platforms Lead implementation and deployment of infrastructure solutions, including: Virtual machines, containers, storage, and networking Automation of provisioning and configuration Ensure solutions meet performance, scalability, availability, and security requirements Performance, Monitoring & Optimization Monitor and analyze infrastructure performance, utilization, and capacity Identify and resolve performance or scalability issues Recommend and implement improvements to enhance system efficiency Security & Compliance Collaborate with security teams to ensure compliance with organizational and industry standards Implement security controls, encryption, and access management Ensure adherence to best practices and governance policies Operations & Support Provide Level 3 support for server infrastructure incidents and escalations Troubleshoot complex issues, implement solutions, and document resolutions Support lifecycle management, including capacity, availability, and upgrades Disaster Recovery & Continuity Develop and maintain disaster avoidance and recovery plans Ensure high availability and failover configurations are in place and tested Documentation & Knowledge Sharing Create and maintain: As-built documentation Configuration guides SOPs and knowledge base articles Mentor and provide knowledge transfer to junior and intermediate staff Collaboration & Strategy Partner with cross-functional IT teams and SMEs to deliver comprehensive solutions Support procurement activities, including: Vendor engagement Budgeting and forecasting Contribute to infrastructure strategy and technology roadmap Qualifications Education & Certifications Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Engineering, IT, or related field (or equivalent experience) Preferred certifications: Azure Solutions Architect Expert Azure Administrator / Microsoft 365 / Hybrid certifications Experience 5+ years of experience designing and managing Microsoft Windows & Exchange server environments 5+ years working with Windows Server technologies, including: Windows Server (2016/2019/2022) Active Directory, GPO, DNS, DHCP, DFS Kerberos, NTLM, RADIUS BitLocker encryption SCCM (patching & OS deployment) Monitoring tools (SCOM, SolarWinds, or similar) 2+ years of experience with: Azure (IaaS, VM encryption, cloud services) VMware vSphere Linux systems Networking, storage, and security concepts Databases (MSSQL, PostgreSQL) Load balancers (F5, NGINX) Technical Skills Automation & IaC: Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell Networking: TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, VPNs Storage: SAN, iSCSI, NFS, HCI, Object Storage Backup & Recovery solutions Cloud migrations (Windows/Exchange to Azure) Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes Preferred / Nice-to-Have Experience with Cisco UCS Knowledge of data center power and infrastructure Microsoft vendor management experience Core Competencies Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills Excellent communication and cross-team collaboration Ability to mentor and lead junior team members Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement Additional Responsibilities Participate in vendor selection, quoting, and procurement processes Support technology forecasting and planning initiatives Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends Perform other duties as assigned