At Eckler, we know it’s our people who make us great at what we do.
Reporting to the Senior Infrastructure Engineer, the Systems Administrator supports the security, reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of Eckler’s hybrid technology environment. The role combines hands-on administration of on-premises and cloud infrastructure with network services, storage management, monitoring, automation, technical research, and project delivery.
The Systems Administrator, based in our Toronto office, works collaboratively with the Technology & Security team, business stakeholders, and external service providers. The role requires sound technical judgement, disciplined change management, strong documentation, and the ability to investigate emerging technologies and translate findings into practical recommendations.
Responsibilities include firewall and VPN administration, infrastructure security, server and storage administration, vulnerability remediation, AI-platform support, and automation.
This posting is for an existing vacancy that we are actively seeking to fill.
Key Responsibilities
Infrastructure and Systems Administration
- Administer, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Eckler’s Windows Server, Linux, Active Directory, virtualization, storage, and related infrastructure platforms.
- Configure, deploy, patch, upgrade, and retire physical and virtual servers in accordance with security, availability, and lifecycle requirements.
- Monitor infrastructure health, capacity, performance, replication, and availability; investigate alerts and resolve or escalate issues promptly.
- Support VMware vSphere and VxRail environments while contributing to the evaluation, testing, and implementation of future hyperconverged or hybrid infrastructure platforms.
- Assist with infrastructure lifecycle planning, technical evaluations, proof-of-concept environments, implementation testing, and operational handover.
- Support selected AIX services and troubleshoot Active Directory, Kerberos, connectivity, and related integration issues.
- Maintain current inventories, configuration records, network diagrams, operational procedures, and recovery documentation.
- Participate in disaster recovery exercises, restoration tests, incident simulations, and continuous-improvement activities.
Network, Firewall, and Secure Remote Access
- Administer and support firewalls, switches, wireless infrastructure, site-to-site connectivity, VPN services, DNS, network authentication, and related monitoring tools.
- Manage firewall firmware, configuration, rule changes, security policies, and network access in accordance with approved change-management procedures.
- Investigate network incidents, connectivity failures, performance degradation, and service interruptions.
- Schedule and execute approved maintenance windows, coordinate testing, maintain rollback plans, and communicate service impacts.
- Support Aruba switching, wireless networking, and network-experience monitoring.
Cloud and Hybrid Infrastructure
- Administer and support Microsoft Azure services, including identity integrations, virtual machines, storage, networking, backup, monitoring, and hybrid connectivity.
- Monitor Azure File Sync, Azure Backup, cloud storage, replication, alerts, and service health.
- Support hybrid identity and access services using Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID.
- Contribute to the evaluation of other infrastructure options as Eckler modernizes its computing environment.
- Ensure cloud resources are configured, monitored, documented, and secured in accordance with Eckler standards.
Cybersecurity Operations
- Apply security patches, configuration updates, and recommended hardening measures to servers, firewalls, network devices, and assigned platforms.
- Review vulnerability findings, assess applicability and exposure, coordinate remediation, document risk decisions, and verify closure.
- Ensure infrastructure changes and security actions are supported by approved requests and complete technical records.
Service Delivery, Projects, and Documentation
- Provide technical support and act as an escalation resource for infrastructure, network, remote-access, storage, cloud, and security issues.
- Manage assigned work through completion, including investigation, communication, testing, implementation, documentation, and closure.
- Participate in infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, storage-modernization, and AI projects.
- Work with vendors and service providers to troubleshoot issues, assess products, validate technical requirements, and coordinate implementation activities.
- Participate in after-hours maintenance or incident response when required.
Required Experience and Skills
- Three or more years of progressive experience in systems administration, infrastructure support, cloud operations, network administration, cybersecurity operations, or a related corporate technology role.
- Strong practical knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, authentication, access control, and enterprise troubleshooting.
- Experience administering or supporting Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Entra ID in a hybrid environment.
- Experience with VMware vSphere, virtual machines, storage, capacity management, and infrastructure monitoring.
- Experience supporting firewalls, VPNs, switching, wireless networks, network authentication, and secure remote access.
- Experience with WatchGuard firewalls and Aruba networking technologies is preferred.
- Working knowledge of vulnerability management, patching, security hardening, endpoint protection, logging, and incident response.
- Experience with backup, replication, recovery testing, storage monitoring, and disaster recovery.
- Ability to analyze complex technical issues, assess risk, test solutions methodically, and communicate clear recommendations.
- Strong planning, prioritization, time-management, and follow-through skills.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce technical documentation and audit evidence.
- Ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and manage several concurrent priorities.
- Willingness to perform approved after-hours maintenance and participate in urgent incident response when necessary.
- Commitment to continuous learning as cloud, cybersecurity, AI, and infrastructure technologies evolve.
Education and Certifications
- Diploma or degree in information technology, computer systems, cybersecurity, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Relevant certifications in Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, security, networking, VMware, Sophos, Aruba, AWS, Linux, or automation are assets.
- Certifications such as AZ-104, AZ-400, SC-300, MS-102, Security+, Network+, VMware, Aruba, or equivalent industry credentials are considered beneficial.
Success Measures
Success in this role is demonstrated through:
- Stable, secure, and well-monitored infrastructure and network services.
- Timely remediation of vulnerabilities, security findings, and operational risks.
- Reliable backup, replication, restoration, and disaster-recovery capabilities.
- Effective maintenance of firewall, VPN, storage, virtualization, hybrid-cloud, and monitoring platforms.
- Accurate, current, and audit-ready technical documentation.
- Successful delivery of assigned infrastructure, security, storage-modernization, automation, and AI initiatives.
- Reduced manual effort through safe standardization and automation.
- Clear ownership, communication, and follow-through on incidents, changes, and project work.
- Continuous development of cloud, security, automation, AI, and infrastructure skills.
What we offer:
- Collaborative and engaging atmosphere
- Variety in work and ability to evolve and grow your career
- Working with colleagues across Canada and across multiple practice areas
- Opportunities to help build and evolve our practice
- Competitive total rewards package, commensurate with experience
- An entrepreneurial, collegial work environment
- Hybrid work style and dress for your day approach
Who we are:
At Eckler, we are driven by our purpose to care and to do right by people so that together we can achieve a brighter, more secure future. It’s just one of the reasons Eckler has been recognized multiple times as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures. Our origins go back to 1927, making us one of Canada’s first actuarial practices. Based in Canada and the Caribbean, we’re a team of committed and highly skilled professionals consulting in the areas of pension, retirement, financial wellness, investment, group benefits, insurance, change management and communication and technology. Owned and operated by its active Principals, the company has earned a reputation for service continuity and high professional standards. Eckler is a founding member of Abelica Global – an international alliance of independent actuarial and consulting firms operating in over 20 countries.
At Eckler, we value diversity of all types. Our organization is made up of smart, collaborative, and thoughtful people with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, and experiences. We are committed to an inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplace and encourage all interested applicants to submit a cover letter and resume for consideration. Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to careers@eckler.ca.
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used during the recruitment process to screen or assess applications. All evaluations involving AI are reviewed by in-house recruiters prior to making any final decisions.
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for the shortlist will be contacted.
www.eckler.ca
