Senior Azure Infrastructure Engineer / Systems Engineer
ASCENDING LLC, New York, NY, United States
Senior Azure Infrastructure Engineer / Systems Engineer
Remote (EST Preferred)
6-month contract (potential to extend)
Overview
We are seeking a Senior Azure Infrastructure Engineer / Systems Engineer to design, implement, and support enterprise infrastructure across Azure cloud and hybrid on-prem environments. This role is infrastructure-first, with responsibility for Azure networking, compute, identity, and security, while also supporting Microsoft 365 and email platforms within the broader ecosystem.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience across Azure infrastructure, hybrid identity, and enterprise systems engineering, with the ability to own environments end-to-end and operate as a technical SME.
Key Responsibilities
Azure Infrastructure & Cloud Engineering
Design, implement, and manage Azure infrastructure environments, including Virtual Machines, storage, and resource configurations
Configure and maintain Azure networking (VNets, subnets, NSGs, peering, VPN connectivity, load balancing)
Support and optimize hybrid infrastructure across Azure and on-prem (Windows Server, VMware)
Implement and manage Azure monitoring and logging (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerting)
Ensure performance, availability, and scalability of cloud infrastructure
Identity & Access Management (Core Focus)
Administer and manage Entra ID (Azure AD) including hybrid identity (AD Connect)
Configure and enforce Conditional Access, MFA, RBAC, and Zero Trust policies
Support and implement SSO integrations using SAML and OAuth across enterprise applications
Manage identity lifecycle, access governance, and directory services
Messaging & Collaboration (Secondary Responsibility)
Support Exchange Online and hybrid Exchange environments
Manage email security platforms (Proofpoint, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, etc.)
Maintain mail flow, transport rules, and email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
Assist with migrations and optimization of Microsoft 365 services
Security, Automation & Operations
Collaborate with security teams to support cloud security posture, threat detection, and incident response
Utilize tools such as Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Purview for monitoring and compliance
Automate infrastructure and administrative tasks using PowerShell and/or Azure CLI
Develop and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and operational procedures
Act as a senior escalation point for complex infrastructure and cloud issues
Required Qualifications
7+ years of experience in Systems Engineering / Infrastructure Engineering roles
Strong hands-on experience with Azure infrastructure (VMs, networking, storage)
Experience managing hybrid environments (on-prem + Azure)
Solid experience with Active Directory and Entra ID (Azure AD)
Experience with Azure networking (VNets, NSGs, VPN, peering)
Proficiency in PowerShell scripting for automation
Experience with Exchange Online and Microsoft 365 environments
Familiarity with email security concepts and tools (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, anti-phishing)Strong troubleshooting skills across infrastructure, cloud, and identity systems
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM templates, Bicep)
Experience with Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Purview
Knowledge of VMware or other virtualization platforms
Experience with Proofpoint or similar secure email gateways
Azure certifications (AZ-104, AZ-305, etc.) or Microsoft certifications
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Remote (EST Preferred)
6-month contract (potential to extend)
Overview
We are seeking a Senior Azure Infrastructure Engineer / Systems Engineer to design, implement, and support enterprise infrastructure across Azure cloud and hybrid on-prem environments. This role is infrastructure-first, with responsibility for Azure networking, compute, identity, and security, while also supporting Microsoft 365 and email platforms within the broader ecosystem.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience across Azure infrastructure, hybrid identity, and enterprise systems engineering, with the ability to own environments end-to-end and operate as a technical SME.
Key Responsibilities
Azure Infrastructure & Cloud Engineering
Design, implement, and manage Azure infrastructure environments, including Virtual Machines, storage, and resource configurations
Configure and maintain Azure networking (VNets, subnets, NSGs, peering, VPN connectivity, load balancing)
Support and optimize hybrid infrastructure across Azure and on-prem (Windows Server, VMware)
Implement and manage Azure monitoring and logging (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerting)
Ensure performance, availability, and scalability of cloud infrastructure
Identity & Access Management (Core Focus)
Administer and manage Entra ID (Azure AD) including hybrid identity (AD Connect)
Configure and enforce Conditional Access, MFA, RBAC, and Zero Trust policies
Support and implement SSO integrations using SAML and OAuth across enterprise applications
Manage identity lifecycle, access governance, and directory services
Messaging & Collaboration (Secondary Responsibility)
Support Exchange Online and hybrid Exchange environments
Manage email security platforms (Proofpoint, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, etc.)
Maintain mail flow, transport rules, and email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
Assist with migrations and optimization of Microsoft 365 services
Security, Automation & Operations
Collaborate with security teams to support cloud security posture, threat detection, and incident response
Utilize tools such as Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Purview for monitoring and compliance
Automate infrastructure and administrative tasks using PowerShell and/or Azure CLI
Develop and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and operational procedures
Act as a senior escalation point for complex infrastructure and cloud issues
Required Qualifications
7+ years of experience in Systems Engineering / Infrastructure Engineering roles
Strong hands-on experience with Azure infrastructure (VMs, networking, storage)
Experience managing hybrid environments (on-prem + Azure)
Solid experience with Active Directory and Entra ID (Azure AD)
Experience with Azure networking (VNets, NSGs, VPN, peering)
Proficiency in PowerShell scripting for automation
Experience with Exchange Online and Microsoft 365 environments
Familiarity with email security concepts and tools (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, anti-phishing)Strong troubleshooting skills across infrastructure, cloud, and identity systems
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM templates, Bicep)
Experience with Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Purview
Knowledge of VMware or other virtualization platforms
Experience with Proofpoint or similar secure email gateways
Azure certifications (AZ-104, AZ-305, etc.) or Microsoft certifications
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.