Systems Administrator at Scale Microgrids in Ridgewood, NJ

The Role

We're seeking a Systems Administrator to architect, deploy, secure, and maintain the core systems powering our organization — spanning both corporate IT and the operational technology (OT) behind our deployed microgrids. This dual role blends hands-on engineering with day-to-day administration, with heavy emphasis on access/permissions management, security hardening and compliance (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2), network administration, remote connectivity, and monitoring across IT and field OT assets. Strong networking fundamentals are required; hands-on OT/ICS experience in energy, utilities, or renewables is strongly preferred.

This hybrid role will report to our Sr Manager, IT and be based in our HQ in Ridgewood, NJ.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Systems Engineering: Design, deploy, and maintain server, storage, and virtualized infrastructure (cloud and on-prem), including Windows Server, Linux, Active Directory/Azure AD, and automation/IaC practices.
• Administration: Own identity and access management end-to-end (onboarding/offboarding, role-based permissions, MFA, privileged access, backups, audit logging); apply patches/updates and maintain system health and availability.
• Security & Compliance: Serve as primary owner of access governance and least-privilege design; administer EDR, SIEM, MDM, and vulnerability management tools; extend controls into OT (segmentation, secure remote access); support SOC 2/ISO 27001 audit readiness and incident response.
• Troubleshooting & Support: Provide Tier 1–3 support across Windows, macOS, Linux, virtualization, and cloud; engage vendors as needed.
• Cloud Administration: Manage Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Azure (VMs, storage, identity, conditional access); implement cloud backup/DR.
• Network & Connectivity: Design and maintain switching, routing, VLANs, firewalls, and VPNs; configure cellular modems/gateways for microgrid site connectivity (carrier/APN/SIM provisioning, NAT, failover); build secure IT/OT remote access paths.
• OT & Field Systems: Support microgrid controllers, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, inverters, and meters; troubleshoot protocol-level issues (Modbus, DNP3, MQTT, SNMP, BACnet); partner with Scale’s control team for on-site commissioning and OT patch/firmware management.
• Monitoring & Observability: Build and tune monitoring/alerting across IT and OT (health, connectivity, data flow, backups, security events); create dashboards and reduce MTTD/MTTR.
• Documentation: Maintain system/network diagrams, SOPs, configuration baselines, and runbooks; generate performance and capacity reports.

The Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience); 5+ years as a Systems Engineer/Administrator with direct network administration responsibility.
• OT/ICS/SCADA experience in energy, utilities, renewables, or industrial/building systems strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with NIST, ISO 27001, and/or SOC 2 frameworks.
• Certifications preferred: Network+/Security+, CCNA, Azure Administrator, MCSA/MCSE, RHCSA, GICSP, or similar.
• Technical Proficiency: Windows Server, Linux (Ubuntu/CentOS), Active Directory, Azure AD, Group Policy, M365; VMware/Hyper-V.
• Strong networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, subnetting, routing, VLANs, DNS/DHCP, NAT, firewalls, VPNs.
• Hands-on experience with cellular modems/industrial gateways (Cradlepoint, Sierra Wireless, Digi, Teltonika, Peplink) and carrier/SIM management.
• Monitoring/alerting tools (PRTG, SolarWinds, Datadog, Zabbix, Grafana); backup/DR platforms (Veeam, Datto).
• Familiarity with industrial protocols and IT/OT segmentation; Zero Trust and NIST 800-82/IEC 62443 knowledge a plus.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; highly organized and detail-oriented; collaborative, customer-focused mindset
• Willingness to travel to office, project, and client sites, including field visits to operating microgrid sites. Approximate travel 25%.
• Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and evening/nighttime system migration tasks when required.

This is a great opportunity to have a long-term impact on a fast-paced, private equity-backed growth business. Some of the core virtues embraced by Scales’ employees include:

· Do the Right Thing

· Act Like an Owner

· Hustle

· Demand Results

· Go Together

· Evolve or Disappear

We offer a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits program including medical benefits, paid vacation and holidays, and 401K matching.

About Scale Microgrids

Scale is redefining resilience, with advanced microgrids that go beyond traditional backup power solutions to give businesses the power to adapt and thrive amid all of today’s growing energy challenges. As a vertically-integrated provider of turnkey advanced microgrid systems, Scale combines project design, engineering, and execution expertise with microgrid-as-a-service financing to offer our customers systems that are optimized to deliver maximum value from day one while ensuring ultra-reliable operations and fast time-to-power.

Scale is backed by EQT, a firm with ~$250B in assets, bringing a depth of experience, resources, and capital that will enable Scale to continue pursuing our vision of powering the world with distributed energy. The investment enables Scale to own and operate billions of dollars in distributed generation assets. To learn more about Scale Microgrids, please visit https://www.scalemicrogrids.com.

About EQT

EQT is a leading purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 246 billion in total assets under management, divided into two business segments: Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and market leadership. To learn more about EQT, please visit https://eqtgroup.com.

Scale strives to attract and retain a workforce that reflects the composition of our customer base and communities. We are committed to providing a work environment that provides everyone with equal access and opportunity to contribute and drive meaningful outcomes. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and will consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.