How to apply for Senior Systems Engineer

About WRA, Inc.

WRA, Inc. is an environmental consulting firm that drives net positive environmental impact through innovative planning, engineering, and scientific consulting. They are currently building their internal IT and Cybersecurity functions in-house, moving away from an MSP model, which means you'd be joining at a foundational stage with the opportunity to shape the technology stack. The company has a highly distributed workforce of about 100 people, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, but this role can be fully remote.

About the role

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will be the primary engineer for cloud and SaaS platforms, including Microsoft 365, Azure infrastructure, Entra ID, and endpoint management. Initially, you'll focus on standing up new tools and migrating select tools from the MSP, then shift to engineering Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft 365/Entra ID, endpoint management, and building automations. You'll work autonomously under the Director of IT & Cybersecurity, ensuring the distributed workforce can work securely, efficiently, and consistently.

A typical day

You'll start your day with a quick sync with the Director of IT & Cybersecurity to prioritize tasks, then dive into engineering Azure Virtual Desktop or automating endpoint management. You might spend time migrating a tool from the MSP, troubleshooting a user issue, or collaborating with a department to optimize their SaaS platform. As the primary engineer, you'll have the autonomy to drive projects forward while ensuring the distributed workforce has secure, efficient access to their tools.

Who WRA, Inc. is looking for

• Deep expertise in Microsoft 365, Azure infrastructure, Entra ID, and endpoint management (Intune, Autopilot).
• Experience with Azure Virtual Desktop and building automations using PowerShell or other scripting languages.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and manage projects in a remote, distributed environment.
• Background in transitioning from MSP-managed environments to in-house IT operations, with a focus on cybersecurity.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with a 100-person distributed workforce and department-specific platforms.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific experience with Azure Virtual Desktop and Entra ID in your resume, as these are key technologies mentioned in the job description.
• Emphasize any past projects where you migrated from an MSP model to in-house IT, showcasing your ability to stand up new tools and manage transitions.
• Demonstrate your ability to work autonomously by providing examples of self-directed projects or remote work successes.
• Tailor your cover letter to WRA's environmental mission, showing how your IT work can support their goal of net positive environmental impact.
• Include examples of building automations and improving endpoint management, as these are core responsibilities mentioned.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience with Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID, and endpoint management, specifically in a senior or lead capacity.', 'Any involvement in transitioning from an MSP to in-house IT, including standing up new tools and migrating services.', "Your ability to work autonomously and manage cybersecurity aspects, even if you're looking to refine your skillset.", "How you can support a distributed workforce and enable them to work securely and efficiently, aligning with WRA's environmental mission."]

Research before applying

• Learn about WRA's environmental consulting projects and their mission to drive net positive environmental impact.
• Research the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego offices to understand the company's geographic footprint and distributed workforce.
• Investigate common IT challenges in environmental consulting firms, such as data management for field research or compliance requirements.
• Look into WRA's recent news or press releases to understand their growth and any recent IT initiatives.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Technical deep dive: How would you architect Azure Virtual Desktop for a distributed workforce?
• Migration strategy: Describe your approach to transitioning from an MSP model to in-house IT, including tool selection and migration.
• Automation: What automations have you built to improve efficiency in Microsoft 365 or Azure environments?
• Cybersecurity: How would you enhance security in a Microsoft 365 and Entra ID environment, especially for remote users?
• Collaboration: How do you work with non-technical stakeholders to understand their platform needs and ensure secure, efficient operations?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on technical skills without demonstrating an understanding of WRA's mission and how IT supports environmental consulting.
• Neglecting to mention experience with Azure Virtual Desktop or Entra ID, which are explicitly called out in the job description.
• Providing generic examples of systems engineering without tailoring to the unique aspects of transitioning from an MSP to in-house IT.