Systems Engineer - ASCENDING LLC : Job Details

Title: Systems Engineer - Exchange/M365/Proofpoint Location: Hybrid (NYC/Los Angeles) Term: 6-Month Contract to hire, 110k~130k base after the conversion.About the Role We're looking for a Senior Systems Engineer with deep expertise in on-premises Exchange, Microsoft 365, and Proofpoint to lead the management, optimization, and security of our enterprise email infrastructure. You'll play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless email operations-from migrations to threat mitigation-while leveraging automation and best practices to uphold reliability and compliance.What You'll Do

• Design & Manage Email Systems: Deploy, maintain, and optimize Exchange Server (on-prem/hybrid) and Microsoft 365 environments, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Lead Migrations: Execute smooth migrations between on-prem Exchange and M365 with minimal downtime and data integrity.
• Secure Email Infrastructure: Configure and manage Proofpoint solutions (filtering, encryption, DLP) and enforce protocols like DMARC, DKIM, and SPF.
• Troubleshoot & Protect: Resolve complex email flow issues, investigate security threats, and collaborate with security teams to mitigate risks.
• Automate & Innovate: Streamline operations via PowerShell scripting for Exchange, M365, and Proofpoint tasks.
• Document & Guide: Maintain detailed system documentation and share best practices with cross-functional teams.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of hands-on experience with Exchange Server (2013-2019, Exchange Online) and Microsoft 365 in enterprise environments.
• Proven mastery of Proofpoint administration (policies, threat protection, encryption).
• Strong scripting skills (PowerShell) and expertise in Active Directory/Azure AD for identity management.
• Deep knowledge of email security protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and anti-phishing measures.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting, solving problems with minimal supervision.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience with tenant-to-tenant migrations or Microsoft Defender for Office 365.
• Networking knowledge related to email traffic (SMTP, firewalls).
• Certifications like MS-102, MS-203, or Proofpoint Certified Protection Professional.