A Windows Engineer is a professional who specializes in designing, implementing, and maintaining Windows-based systems and infrastructure. These individuals possess in-depth knowledge and expertise in Windows operating systems and play a crucial role in ensuring the stability, security, and optimal performance of IT systems. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Windows Engineers.

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Main Responsibilities of a Windows Engineer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Windows Engineer:

Administer

• Administer Active Directory services, including user and group management.

• Administer and manage webhosting on windows platform.

• Administer system activities.

Analyze

• Analyze possible solutions using standard procedures.

• Analyze system logs and events to identify and resolve issues.

Assist in

Assist in the planning and execution of system upgrades and migrations.

Build

• Build and maintain systems in such a way that exceeds regulatory requirements.

• Build and support physical and virtualized servers in a highly regulated environment.

• Build knowledge of the organization, processes and customers.

• Build monitoring features that integrate with other Meraki products.

• Build strong internal and external partnerships.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate to define requirements for current and future attributes of end user system.

• Collaborate with IT teams to define and enforce IT policies and standards.

• Collaborate with network engineers for network integration and connectivity.

• Collaborate with vendors and third-party service providers for system support.

Conduct

• Conduct incident investigation.

• Conduct performance tuning and optimization of Windows systems.

• Conduct performance tuning of servers.

• Conduct system backups and disaster recovery procedures.

• Conduct system capacity planning to ensure scalability and resource optimization.

Consider

Consider customer adoption as success criteria.

Coordinate

Coordinate critical customer issues as well as new product and / or system implementations.

Create

Create and maintain system documentation, including procedures and configurations.

Define

• Define approaches and provide extensive business and / or technical expertise to attain objectives.

• Define input and output file specifications including file organization.

• Define metrics and KPIs for future infrastructure management and planning.

Design

Design and implement Windows-based systems and infrastructure.

Determine

Determine the appropriate technical tool to address the client's business needs.

Develop

• Develop and implement automation scripts to streamline system administration tasks.

• Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans for Windows systems.

• Develop technical standards.

Elevate

Elevate code into the development, test, and production environments on schedule.

Ensure

• Ensure adherence to ITIL or other IT service management frameworks.

• Ensure all procedures are documented and communicated within SLA while ensuring adherence to SOP.

Evaluate

• Evaluate and recommend hardware and software solutions based on system requirements.

• Evaluate security vulnerabilities and determine appropriate action.

Examined

Examined and correct escalated issues.

Execute

Execute complex changes, prepare and execute changes per implementation plans.

Hire

Hire in New York to support the end users in that location as well as the Global Link infrastructure.

Identify

• Identify and perform a variety of independent analysis and problem resolution assignments.

• Identify areas for automation and implement scripted solutions with DevOps methods.

• Identify, recommends, and implement opportunities for improvement and performance issue solutions.

Implement

• Implement and maintain Windows security patches and updates.

• Implement security measures, such as access controls and group policies.

Initiate

• Initiate, perform or assist with networking infrastructure adds, moves and changes.

• Initiate process improvements for internal and external customers.

Install

• Install and configure software applications on Windows platforms.

• Install, configure, and maintain Windows servers and workstations.

Interact

• Interact with clients in person or telephone.

• Interact with the SAN team and diagnosed SAN Cluster issues.

Interpret

Interpret internal or external business issues and recommend solutions / best practices.

Investigate

Investigate and troubleshoot incidents as part of a rotational squad.

Lead

• Lead major consulting solution engagements from Infrastructure Optimization programs, to DR..

• Lead teams on defined projects.

• Lead the creation of technical design documents on complex projects.

Learn

Learn and understand client area business functions and requirements.

Maintain

• Maintain a high level of system security and integrity.

• Maintain comprehensive technical knowledge of software and infrastructure platforms.

• Maintain current and in-depth knowledge of the VMware Cloud Management stack.

• Maintain operational stability, coordinate operational tasks, escalations, process improvements.

Manage

• Manage and secure Windows-based virtualization environments.

• Manage and troubleshoot domain controllers and DNS services.

Mentor

Mentor junior developers on best practices, common pitfalls, and good design patterns.

Monitor

Monitor system performance and resource utilization.

Participate in

• Participate in IT projects and initiatives, such as system deployments or upgrades.

• Participate in projects such as migrating antivirus.

• Participate in the on-call rotation and be available for support as needed during non-business hours.

Perform

• Perform daily checks on servers, analyze logs.

• Perform remote installation of applications to users and servers.

• Perform root cause analysis for server crashes.

• Perform system and network audits to ensure compliance and security.

Provide

• Provide advanced level technical support and ensures reliable operation of production.

• Provide expertise with SCCM, on the patching side.

• Provide follow up production support.

• Provide guidance and consultation as required.

• Provide information regarding Directory services requested by other technical and business units.

• Provide L3 support for the Windows operations team when needed.

• Provide maintenance, troubleshooting and configuration support of windows systems.

• Provide oversight to project team members on infrastructure best practices.

• Provide technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems.

• Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to end-users.

Receive

Receive a moderate level of guidance and direction.

Recommend

• Recommend corrections in current client environment.

• Recommend vendor selections and new technologies.

Relay

Relay alerts and situation status information to both client and Unisys management.

Resolve

Resolve well defined incidents using documented procedures.

Review

Review and recommend improvements to existing procedures.

Stay updated on

Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies related to Windows systems.

Submit

Submit change control requests and documents.

Suggest

• Suggest, develop and conduct user training, technical training and orientation.

• Suggest new tools and techniques improve efficiency.

Support

• Support remote users who VPN into the office.

• Support yearly technology audits and follow through on related actions items.

Take

• Take a broad perspective to identify solutions.

• Take ownership of what the team builds after the release.

Test

Test and evaluate technologies vendor products.

Train

• Train and mentor junior members of the IT team.

• Train and mentors more junior staff on processes and releases.

Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues elevated from staff.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to Windows operating systems.

• Troubleshoot hardware or software systems on multiple platforms.

Utilize

Utilize Powershell for automation.

Work with

• Work closely with external vendors to deliver new solutions and technologies.

• Work in closely aligned Operational and Engineering Windows Team.

• Work under only general direction.

Write

Write the technical portion of assigned deliverables.Administer Active Directory services, including user and group management.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Windows Engineer:

1. Proficiency in Windows Server administration and configuration.

2. Knowledge of Active Directory management and Group Policy.

3. Understanding of Windows operating system architecture and internals.

4. Competence in PowerShell scripting for automation and system management.

5. Skill in deploying and managing virtualization technologies (e.g., Hyper-V, VMware).

6. Knowledge of network protocols and services, such as TCP/IP and DNS.

7. Competence in system monitoring and performance analysis tools.

8. Understanding of system backup and recovery solutions.

9. Proficiency in implementing and managing Windows security controls.

10. Knowledge of system hardening and vulnerability assessment.

11. Competence in managing and troubleshooting Windows domain environments.

12. Understanding of Windows patch management and software deployment.

13. Proficiency in configuring and managing Windows file and print services.

14. Knowledge of Windows Remote Desktop Services and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

15. Competence in implementing and managing Windows-based web services (IIS).

16. Understanding of system and network auditing tools and techniques.

17. Proficiency in configuring and managing Windows-based databases (e.g., SQL Server).

18. Knowledge of backup and replication technologies for disaster recovery.

19. Competence in system capacity planning and performance optimization.

20. Understanding of ITIL or other IT service management frameworks.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Windows Engineer:

1. Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.

2. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

3. Effective teamwork and collaboration.

4. Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced IT environment.

5. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

6. Time management and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

7. Customer service orientation and a focus on delivering quality solutions.

8. Continuous learning mindset and ability to stay updated with evolving technologies.

9. Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned projects.

10. Professionalism and integrity in handling sensitive information and systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Windows Engineer plays is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Windows-based systems and infrastructure. Alongside technical skills in Windows server administration, scripting, and virtualization, soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork are essential for success in this role. Windows Engineers contribute to the stability, security, and efficiency of IT systems, enabling organizations to operate effectively in a Windows environment.