Senior Systems Administrator

Guru Studio, a creative-driven entertainment company, is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to provide administrative and project management support to its IT team. This role involves designing and implementing networking infrastructure, managing various systems like Linux, Windows, macOS, NAS, VDI, and render clusters. The administrator will also handle Helpdesk issues, maintain software licenses, and act as a key communication point, contributing to the studio's award-winning animated storytelling.

Must Have

• Design and implement networking infrastructure.
• Install, configure, and maintain Linux, Windows (Server/Desktop), and macOS.
• Manage NAS, VDI, licensing servers, and render/compute clusters.
• Perform Helpdesk fixes and triage advanced issues.
• Maintain software licenses and upgrade schedules.
• Minimum 5 years experience troubleshooting hardware and software issues.
• In-depth knowledge of network configuration (VLANs, routing, firewalls, VPNs), directory services (Active Directory/LDAP), DNS, DHCP.
• Knowledge of industry standard security practices (patching, vulnerability management, secure remote access).
• High familiarity with Windows and Linux servers.
• Experience with NAS management, VDI configuration, and imaging software solutions.

Good to Have

• TPN certification experience.
• Familiarity with macOS.
• Animation/VFX industry experience.
• Proximity to physical studio location.

Perks & Benefits

• Collaborative and creatively fulfilling work environment.
• Learning opportunities for skill development and growth.
• Support philanthropic initiatives through Guru Gives charity committee.
• Extensive health and wellness benefits plan.
• Extended mental health services and initiatives.
• Flexibility to work remotely with downtown studio available for in-person team building and collaboration.

Guru Studio is a creative-driven entertainment company and an industry leader in animated storytelling. For over twenty years, our studio has brought to life some of the most recognizable and beloved children’s properties in the world.

Guru Studio's dedicated team is passionate about bringing inspired character driven stories to screens around the world. Our award winning and internationally renowned animated entertainment company is looking for a Senior Systems Administrator who is responsible for providing administrative and project management support to a busy IT team. This role reports directly to the Director of IT.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement networking infrastructure
• Installation, configuration, and maintenance of Linux, Window (Server/Desktop) and macOS
• Manage NAS, VDI, licensing servers and render/compute cluster
• Generate weekly/monthly reports/benchmarks of related IT issues for the purposes of improving IT efficiency and problem solving; share this information in production meetings
• Perform Helpdesk fixes while mentoring and triaging advanced issues
• Maintain software licenses and upgrade schedules
• Act as a key communication point between IT Team and other departments
• Minimum of 3 days in-studio per week, availability to work offset hours

Qualifications:

• 5 years minimum experience troubleshooting hardware and software issues in a support role
• High attention to detail and strong organization skills
• Strong troubleshooting method and identification
• In-depth knowledge of network configuration (VLANs, routing, firewalls, VPNs), directory services (Active Directory/LDAP), DNS, DHCP.
• Knowledge of industry standard security practices (patching, vulnerability management, secure remote access), TPN certification experience is an advantage
• IT related Certifications (CompTIA Network+, Security+, etc)
• Excellent interpersonal skills for interfacing with various divisions
• High familiarity with Windows and Linux servers, macOS is an advantage
• Experience with prioritizing tasks and ensuring adequate follow-up
• Experience with NAS management, VDI configuration, and imaging software solutions
• Animation/VFX industry experience an asset
• Proximity to physical studio location is an asset.

Why Join Guru?

• We create a collaborative and creatively fulfilling work environment by promoting courage, purpose, inspiration, integrity, transparency, and empowerment as our core values
• We take great pride in our work and we always ensure it reflects a high standard of quality and creativity
• We encourage individuals to grow with us by offering learning opportunities that encourage skill development and growth
• We are proud to support philanthropic initiatives that support our local and global community through our charity committee Guru Gives
• We offer health and wellness support through an extensive benefits plan and extended mental health services and initiatives
• We allow the flexibility to work remotely while making our downtown studio available for in-person team building and collaboration

Guru is committed to providing an inclusive work environment that celebrates the diversity of its employees. We are dedicated to employment equity and welcome applications from people from all Indigenous groups, races, religions, genders and people with disabilities.

We are committed to providing an accessible candidate experience during our recruitment process and are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible ‎environment where candidates and ‎employees feel valued and respected. Guru strives to respect the dignity and ‎‎independence of people with disabilities and is committed to giving them the same ‎‎opportunity to succeed in the recruitment process as all other candidates. If you have a disability, you may request ‎to be accommodated at any time. Guru will work with all candidates to ‎‎accommodate individual accessibility needs to the point of undue hardship.

Guru Studio would like to thank all applicants for your interest, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Guru Studio is an equal opportunity employer.

Please note this is a In-Studio/ hybrid position.