Job Description :
Launch Your Career with Cook Systems
Ready to elevate your career? Cook Systems, a certified veteran owned IT consulting firm, has been transforming businesses and careers since 1990. Whether you're aiming to work with a Fortune 500 company or a small business, we've got you covered.
Our core values: integrity, investment, and innovation drive everything we do, ensuring you grow and succeed in a dynamic, supportive environment. We understand the importance of work life balance and personal growth. Our cutting edge IT consulting partners and FastTrack talent program are designed to help you excel.
Join our forward thinking team where excellence and creativity are valued every day. Check out what our associates have to say on Glassdoor. Ready to take your career to new heights? Cook Systems is where your journey to success begins!
2 submittals only
Market-rate compensation package
Candidate Must Be Local to ATL due to 3 days onsite
Position Summary
The Senior Server Engineer (Contract) will lead engineering, troubleshooting, and optimization of enterprise messaging platforms including Microsoft 365 Exchange, Exchange on-premises, Proofpoint, Defender for Email, and Azure-based identity and security services. The contractor will provide advanced support, assist with migrations and modernization initiatives, enhance security posture, and serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for email and messaging infrastructure.
This role requires deep technical experience in enterprise messaging architectures, hybrid Exchange environments, email security, and Windows server systems, with the ability to work independently while collaborating with IT, security, and operational teams.
Key Responsibilities
Messaging Platform Support & Engineering
- Lead administration and optimization of Microsoft 365 Exchange Online and on-prem Exchange infrastructure.
- Manage mail flow, routing, retention policies, compliance, and hybrid configurations.
- Support Exchange infrastructure upgrades, migrations, and service modernization.
Email Security & Protection
- Administer Proofpoint email security platform, including:
Spam filtering
DLP policies
Encryption settings
Quarantine and forensic analysis
- Manage Defender for Email (MDO) including ATP, anti-phishing, safe attachments, and threat intelligence.
- Troubleshoot and analyze advanced email delivery, threat detection, and user issues.
Azure & Identity Integration
- Support Azure AD integration with M365 services, SSO, and hybrid identity synchronization.
- Assist with security baselines, conditional access, and identity hardening recommendations.
Incident Response & Troubleshooting
- Lead major incident resolution for messaging and email security services.
- Perform root cause analysis and provide corrective and preventive action recommendations.
Monitoring, Reporting & Optimization
- Develop dashboards and reporting for:
Message flow trends
Security detection and blocked threats
Exchange and M365 service metrics
- Analyze performance, deliver improvement recommendations, and support SLA-based reporting.
Documentation & Knowledge Sharing
- Create or update:
Operational SOPs
Architecture diagrams
Runbooks
Root cause and service reports
- Mentor internal engineering and operations staff as needed.
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years professional experience supporting enterprise messaging systems.
- Deep hands-on knowledge of:
Microsoft 365 Exchange Online
Exchange Server (2013/2016/2019)
Hybrid Exchange coexistence and migrations
- Strong experience administering:
Proofpoint Essentials/Enterprise Protection
TAP, TRAP
Defender for Email/Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- Strong troubleshooting skills in:
Email routing
SMTP protocols
DNS (MX, SPF, DMARC, DKIM)
- Experience with Azure AD and identity integration.
Preferred Skills
- PowerShell scripting for automation and reporting.
- Experience working in government, education, financial, or regulated environments.
- Familiarity with:
Message trace tools
Transport rule design
Microsoft Purview compliance solutions
- Ability to provide architecture guidance and evaluation of new email security technologies.
Soft Skills
- Strong communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to leadership and non-technical audiences.
- Capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Why Work with Us
Benefits
At Cook Systems, we don't just offer jobs we build futures. Our team is the heart of everything we do, and we're committed to supporting you with benefits that go beyond the basics. We want you to feel secure, valued, and empowered from the very beginning of your journey with us. When you join Cook Systems, here's what you can look forward to:
Your Health, Your Way: Choose from two comprehensive medical plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield, complete with dental and vision coverage. With access to one of the nation's largest networks, you'll get the care you need for yourself and your family wherever life takes you.
Peace of Mind, Every Step of the Way: Protect what matters most with life, critical illness, and accident insurance through Unum. Because your loved ones deserve security no matter what the future holds.
Flexibility for Life's Needs: Save money and plan ahead with a Flexible Spending Account and Daycare FSA through Navia, helping you manage healthcare and dependent care expenses on your terms.
Bridging the Gaps: Unexpected costs? No problem. Our Health Gap Insurance through Sunlife helps ensure you're covered when it counts.
Your Future Starts Now: Dream big with our 401(k) retirement plan through The Standard. After just six months, you will be eligible to participate, because your future deserves a strong foundation.
At Cook Systems, you're not just another employee you're family. Here, your ideas matter, your contributions shine, and your career will thrive. Together, we innovate, grow, and celebrate success every step of the way. Are you ready to be part of something bigger? Let's build the future together at Cook Systems.