Systems Administrator

At Blind Squirrel Games, making great games is only the beginning. Blind Squirrel Games is a proud, independent studio that joins forces with developers and publishers seeking an innovative partner in creating quality games. At BSG, our people are our purpose, so we prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative work environment for all our Squirrels.

Job Title: Systems Administrator

As a Systems Administrator at Blind Squirrel Games, you’ll take the lead in maintaining the physical and digital security, network, server, and desktop infrastructure at our Auckland campus. In addition to supporting local operations, you’ll collaborate closely with a small, tight-knit IT team to plan and implement improvements across our broader network environment.

Role and Responsibilities

Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is looking for an IT Systems Administrator to join our team

The IT Systems Administrator will be responsible for maintaining and improving our IT infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability. This role involves supporting the day-to-day operations of our studio, providing technical assistance to our team, troubleshooting complex issues, and contributing to the continuous improvement of our IT systems.

**Responsibilities**:

- Primary onsite support for all IT needs in the Auckland Campus including desktop support for Windows and MacOS, physical security, networking devices, local servers, inventory control.
- Manage corporate computer systems and assets, ensuring optimal performance and availability.
- Provide after-hours support for critical IT issues to minimize downtime and maintain operational continuity.
- Administer and maintain virtual infrastructure, including Proxmox VE and VMware ESXi, for local and remote workloads.
- Work with monitoring tools (Zabbix, Nagios, Grafana) to maintain proactive observability across services and systems.
- Collaborate with development and production teams to help mature and scale our CI/CD pipelines.
- Set up, test, and maintain servers, including BIOS, firmware, OS, and software updates.
- Maintain and enhance our security posture across all IT systems and assets, including implementing and maintaining firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection.
- Provide VLAN and network switch configuration support, ensuring network stability and performance.
- Ensure timely deployment of security updates, patches, and software licenses.
- Maintain data backup and restore infrastructure to safeguard game development assets.
- Monitor and maintain the health, performance, and security of IT systems and networks through proactive monitoring and analysis.
- Collaborate closely with global IT team members and other departments across multiple time zones to ensure consistent infrastructure standards and support coverage.
- Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to continuously improve IT operations.

Qualifications and Education Requirements
- 3-5 years of IT Support/Administration experience.
- Must be able to lift about 50 pounds as needed.

Preferred Skills
- Hands-on experience with Microsoft Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft Server 2019 and up, macOS.
- Working knowledge of Linux system administration, including OS installation, partitioning, network configuration, and service management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 Suite, Entra, and Azure.
- Proficient in fundamental networking principles, such as IP addressing, subnetting, DNS resolution, DHCP configuration, routing protocols, NAT, port forwarding, and Layer 2/3 switch concepts. Must be able to troubleshoot network paths and assist in maintaining a secure and performant LAN/WAN environment.
- Familiarity with firewalls, networking, and server infrastructure. Emphasis on Palo Alto Networks and Cisco.
- Experience with enterprise-grade backup solutions, such as Veeam, Nakivo, or equivalent.
- Ability to work independently and excellent problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
- Customer service oriented with a proactive and detail-oriented approach.
- Self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligibility to participate in benefits and perks may vary depending on position term and location.

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