Senior IT Infrastructure Engineer

Job Title: Senior IT Infrastructure Lead (Hands-on)

Location: [Chennai] On-Site / Hybrid

Experience: 9+ Years

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Reporting To: IT Manager / Head of Technology

Team Size: Leads a small team of [23] engineers

We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Senior IT Infrastructure Lead to manage, maintain, and enhance our IT infrastructure across cloud and on-premise environments. This role is the backbone of our technology operations equally comfortable resolving a complex Azure networking issue and mentoring a junior engineer through a helpdesk escalation.

You will take full ownership of infrastructure reliability, security compliance, and end-user computing, while providing day-to-day leadership to a small team. This is a deeply technical role with a leadership dimension not the other way around.

The following are grouped by priority. Core responsibilities take up the majority of your time; supporting responsibilities are ongoing but secondary.

1. Infrastructure & Server Management (Core)

• Maintain and support internal servers Active Directory, File Servers, Gateways, and related services
• Perform regular health checks, patching, updates, and performance monitoring
• Manage both on-premise and Azure-based infrastructure components
• Proactively identify risks and drive remediation before issues impact operations

2. Cloud & Azure Management (Core)

• Deploy and manage Azure IaaS resources virtual machines, storage, networking, and security
• Optimize cloud performance, cost, and security configurations on an ongoing basis
• Manage Azure AD / Entra ID and integrate with on-premise Active Directory

3. Security & Compliance (Core)

• Manage and monitor endpoint security solutions (e.g., Sophos, Cylance, or equivalent)
• Ensure compliance with ISO/ISMS standards and internal security policies
• Manage server access rights, domain renewals, and SSL certificate lifecycles
• Conduct periodic security reviews and contribute to audit readiness

4. Backup, DR & Business Continuity (Core)

• Manage and monitor backups for servers, databases, and Microsoft 365
• Perform periodic restore testing to validate backup integrity and recoverability
• Maintain and update Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BCP) plans
• Ensure RTO and RPO objectives are met; conduct regular DR drills
• Maintain documentation in line with ISO/ISMS requirements

5. IT Operations & Team Leadership (Core)

• Lead day-to-day IT infrastructure operations for a small team of [23] engineers
• Provide technical guidance, task allocation, and mentorship to junior staff
• Drive SLA adherence, process improvements, and documentation standards
• Manage ticketing system (Freshworks or equivalent); prioritize and resolve escalations

6. User & Access Management (Supporting)

• Manage user lifecycle in Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and Azure AD
• Handle email access, shared drives, and network permissions
• Implement and monitor email security policies and rules

7. End-User Computing (Supporting)

• Provision and configure laptops and desktops for new and existing employees
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot software licensed applications and utilities
• Provide ongoing desktop/laptop support and coordinate hardware replacements

8. Network & Systems Monitoring (Supporting)

• Monitor infrastructure using tools such as PRTG, Uptime Robot, Cloudflare, and M365 Admin Center
• Proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact end users
• Provide recommendations for system improvements and capacity planning

9. Communication & Collaboration Systems (Supporting)

• Manage phone systems (e.g., 3CX) extensions, troubleshooting, and relocations
• Provide IT support for meeting rooms including Zoom Rooms and video conferencing

10. Licensing & Vendor Management (Supporting)

• Manage Microsoft and third-party software licenses tracking renewals and compliance
• Coordinate with external vendors and service providers as required
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• Soft Skills & Working Style
• Strong problem-solving and systematic troubleshooting approach
• Excellent communication skills able to translate technical issues for non-technical stakeholders
• Proactive and ownership-driven you fix things without being asked twice
• Hands-on mindset combined with the ability to lead and delegate when needed
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities

Preferred (not mandatory strong candidates will be considered without)

• Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) or equivalent Azure certification
• ITIL Foundation or higher
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert
• ISO/ISMS audit experience

Advantageous

• CompTIA Security+ or equivalent security certification
• Any relevant vendor certifications (Sophos, Fortinet, etc.)

Beyond the technical checklist, we are looking for someone who:

• Is hands-on first you are not here to manage tickets from a distance
• Takes pride in stable, well-documented, secure infrastructure
• Communicates proactively internally with the team and upward to leadership
• Sees automation as a multiplier scripting repetitive tasks using PowerShell or similar
• Is comfortable being the go-to person when things go wrong