Lead/L3 Infrastructure Engineer

Company Description
At Nielsen, we are passionate about our work to power a better media future for all people by providing powerful insights that drive client decisions and deliver extraordinary results. Our talented, global workforce is dedicated to capturing audience engagement with content - wherever and whenever it's consumed. Together, we are proudly rooted in our deep legacy as we stand at the forefront of the media revolution. When you join Nielsen, you will join a dynamic team committed to excellence, perseverance, and the ambition to make an impact together. We champion you, because when you succeed, we do too. We enable your best to power our future.

Job Description
We are seeking a visionary and highly technical Lead Systems Engineer to spearhead the architecture, implementation, and management of our global Windows and Linux server infrastructure. This is a critical leadership role responsible for guiding a team of skilled administrators, driving our strategic shift towards a hybrid cloud model, and ensuring the stability, security, and scalability of our core systems.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned expert with a deep understanding of both Windows and Linux environments, a passion for automation, and a proven track record of leading complex technology transformations. You will be the primary technical authority for our server ecosystem, responsible for setting standards, mentoring team members, and resolving the most challenging Tier 3 issues. If you are a strategic thinker with hands-on expertise, looking to make a significant impact on a company's technology landscape, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Strategic Leadership & Vision:

• Develop and execute the short and long-term strategic roadmap for Nielsen's Windows and Linux systems architecture, aligning with broader business and product transformations.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of systems administrators, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Champion and lead the migration of legacy systems (e.g., Windows 2003/2008) to modern, supported platforms.

• Drive the company's strategic initiative towards a hybrid cloud computing model, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies from providers like AWS and Azure.

• Architecture & Engineering:

• Architect, design, and build robust, secure, and scalable standards for both Windows and Linux OS deployments.

• Create, manage, and maintain standardized OS builds and images to ensure consistency and rapid deployment.
• Engineer and implement solutions using PowerShell, Linux Shell Scripting, and Ansible to automate system provisioning, configuration management, and repetitive operational tasks.

• Design and manage Active Directory Group Policies (GPO) to enforce security standards and streamline user/computer management.

• Operations & Support:

• Serve as the final escalation point (Tier 3) for all complex Windows and Linux-based infrastructure issues.

• Proactively troubleshoot and resolve complex environmental problems spanning servers, storage, networking, and applications.
• Partner closely with Security, Legal, Privacy, and Application Development teams to ensure the integrity, compliance, and security of all server endpoints.
• Manage and administer the underlying infrastructure, including VMWare ESX environments, SAN/NAS storage, and network configurations.

Core Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years of progressive experience in technical engineering and architecture with enterprise-scale Windows and Linux environments.
• 2+ years of proven experience in a leadership capacity, managing or mentoring a technical team.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading large-scale technology transformation projects, such as data center migrations, OS upgrades, or cloud adoption.
• Strong project and program management skills, with the ability to plan, execute, and deliver on complex technical initiatives.
• Solid understanding of IT asset management principles and best practices.

Technical Skillset

• Operating Systems:

• Windows: Extensive, hands-on expertise with Windows Server versions from 2003 through 2022.

• Linux: Deep knowledge of Linux distributions, including CentOS, Alma, Ubuntu, and Oracle Enterprise Linux. (Experience with Solaris is a plus).

• Virtualization & Cloud:

• Virtualization: Strong, practical experience in VMWare vSphere/ESXi environments, including provisioning, management, and troubleshooting.

• Cloud: Good working knowledge of public cloud technologies (AWS, Azure) and hybrid cloud architecture.

• Scripting & Automation:

• Hands-on proficiency with PowerShell and Linux Shell Scripting for systems administration.

• Practical experience using Ansible for configuration management and automation.

• Infrastructure & Security Tools:

• Directory Services: Deep understanding of Active Directory, including multi-domain environments, GPOs, and security implementations.

• Security Stack: Hands-on experience with modern security and identity tools such as Okta, Tanium, CrowdStrike, and CyberArk.
• Core Infrastructure: Solid understanding of enterprise networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, Firewalls) and storage solutions (SAN/NAS).

Additional Information
Please be aware that job-seekers may be at risk of targeting by scammers seeking personal data or money. Nielsen recruiters will only contact you through official job boards, LinkedIn, or email with a domain. Be cautious of any outreach claiming to be from Nielsen via other messaging platforms or personal email addresses. Always verify that email communications come from an address. If you're unsure about the authenticity of a job offer or communication, please contact Nielsen directly through our official website or verified social media channels.