IT - Sr Staff Systems Engineer

As an IT - Sr Staff Systems Engineer at Cadence, you will manage and secure the Active Directory environment, administer Windows Servers, and enforce security best practices. Your responsibilities will include upgrading Windows Active Directory versions, maintaining Group Policy Objects (GPOs), and troubleshooting authentication issues like Kerberos and NTLM while ensuring the integrity of systems through regular audits and remediation measures.

Candidates interested in the IT - Sr Staff Systems Engineer role at Cadence should have a solid 15 years of experience in supporting Active Directory and Windows Server environments. A strong understanding of Kerberos, DNS, and DHCP is crucial, along with proficiency in PowerShell scripting to manage automation tasks effectively. An engineering degree in Computers or Electronics is preferred.

In your role as an IT - Sr Staff Systems Engineer at Cadence, you will work with a variety of tools including Microsoft Active Directory environments, Group Policy Objects (GPOs), Microsoft Windows Server versions 2016 and above, as well as services like DNS and DHCP. Proficiency in PowerShell scripting will be essential for task automation and auditing.

Cadence believes in nurturing talent and offers various professional development opportunities for its IT - Sr Staff Systems Engineers. Training programs, workshops, and further educational resources are available to help you expand your skills, keep updated with the latest technologies, and grow within the company.

IT - Sr Staff Systems Engineers at Cadence enjoy a collaborative and innovative work culture. You'll be joining a team of skilled professionals in San Jose, where ideas are encouraged, and every team member has an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to ongoing projects, reflecting our focus on making a significant impact in technology.

In troubleshooting authentication issues, I typically start by verifying group memberships and permissions in Active Directory. I check for any misconfigurations in GPOs and confirm that DNS settings are correctly pointing to domain controllers. Additionally, analyzing log files for Kerberos and NTLM events provides insights into the root cause.

I have extensive experience in Windows Server administration, specifically with versions 2016 and above. This includes managing roles, implementing security hardening, and ensuring systems are up-to-date with the latest patches. I also engage in regular audits to maintain system performance and security.

To manage Group Policy Objects efficiently, I follow best practices by documenting all changes and maintaining a clear organizational structure for GPOs. Regular audits help ensure compliance and security, and I often set up testing environments before applying changes in live settings.

Securing Active Directory involves implementing security best practices such as minimizing administrative privileges, hardening domain controllers, and conducting routine audits to catch any unauthorized changes. Additionally, I keep abreast of security bulletins and promptly apply relevant patches.

I have led multiple version upgrades for Active Directory, including thorough planning for compatibility checks, implementing test upgrades, and ensuring rollback strategies are in place. Careful execution ensures minimal disruption and maximized security benefits.

Staying current involves following reputable tech blogs, participating in online forums, and attending industry conferences. Continuous learning through courses or certifications also plays a key role in keeping my skills sharp and informed.

I have a solid proficiency in PowerShell scripting, which I use primarily for task automation, auditing, and remediation. Scripting helps streamline processes, such as user management and configuration checks in Active Directory, saving time and reducing errors.

I would first analyze logs to identify the cause of the account lockout and review security settings for any possible misconfigurations. Checking for unusual login attempts and ensuring that devices are synchronized with current credentials are also vital steps in resolving such issues.

DNS is crucial for Active Directory as it helps locate domain controllers and other resources within the network. DHCP works in tandem by dynamically assigning IP addresses to devices. Proper management of both services is essential for ensuring a stable and efficient Active Directory environment.

I prefer using built-in Windows auditing tools combined with PowerShell scripts for extensive audits of Active Directory. Third-party solutions can also complement these tools, providing more comprehensive insights into group memberships and permissions.