Senior Systems Engineer (Client Services Technical Lead)

Get to know The Pokémon Company International The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world.  Learn more online at https://corporate.pokemon.com/en-us/and https://www.pokemon.com/us?_gl=1*17cpv5d*_ga*OTgxMzkwODEzLjE3MjcxOTg5NjQ.*_ga_DHWT8DSRN3*MTcyNzE5ODk2My4xLjAuMTcyNzE5ODk2My4wLjAuMA... https://linkedin.com/company/pokemon https://youtube.com/pokemon https://instagram.com/pokemon https://x.com/PokemonGet to know the role Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer (Client Services Technical Lead) Job Summary: The Senior Systems Engineer is the most senior individual contributor within IT Client Services and serves as a technical leader, solution owner, and trusted advisor to both IT leadership and business stakeholders. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and evolving enterprise systems and services that directly enable business outcomes and high quality employee experiences across a global organization.  Operating at both strategic and hands on levels, the Senior Systems Engineer partners with the business to understand goals, translate needs into well engineered solutions, and lead delivery from concept through production. They provide technical thought leadership by making informed decisions in ambiguous situations, exercising clear ownership within defined guardrails, and balancing system health, service quality, and business outcomes. This role elevates the organization through mentorship, standards, and example, while remaining actively engaged in complex system design, integration, and problem solving. In addition to core systems responsibilities, the Senior Systems Engineer identifies opportunities to apply automation and AI driven capabilities to improve operational efficiency, reliability, and measurable business impact. People Manager: No   What you’ll do Lead technical strategy and business aligned delivery Serve as a senior technical authority within IT Client Services, shaping how systems and services are designed, implemented, and evolved to support business priorities and outcomes Partner directly with business stakeholders to understand goals, challenges, and constraints, translating needs into scalable and supportable technical solutions Own solution delivery end to end, from design and implementation through operational readiness and continuous improvement Provide technical thought leadership by framing ambiguous problems, evaluating tradeoffs, and recommending solutions grounded in both technical and business context Mentor and elevate client services capability Actively mentor system administrators and Service Desk staff through coaching, design reviews, and escalation support Lead by example during complex incidents and problem management, reinforcing strong engineering and operational practices Strengthen team effectiveness through documentation, standards, and knowledge sharing that improve consistency and service quality Drive innovation, automation, and AI enabled outcomes Identify and evaluate opportunities to apply automation and AI capabilities to reduce friction, improve productivity, and deliver measurable business impact Collaborate with IT and business partners to assess value, run proofs of concept, and implement solutions that transition cleanly into steady state operations Balance innovation with operational maturity, ensuring new capabilities improve outcomes without introducing unnecessary complexity Design, operate, and mature enterprise systems Design, implement, and operate cloud, on premise, and SaaS platforms with a focus on reliability, security, scalability, and the business outcomes those platforms enable Maintain a deep understanding of the client services technology landscape and guide its evolution as business needs change Diagnose and resolve complex issues across systems, platforms, and integrations, serving as a senior escalation point Lead post incident reviews and root cause analysis, driving improvements that strengthen long term system health Partner with vendors and service providers on deployments, upgrades, and integrations Participate in the on-call rotation as a responder for critical issues   What you’ll bring  Senior technical leadership and influence Extensive experience operating as a senior individual contributor who leads through influence, mentorship, and technical authority 5+ years of experience partnering directly with business stakeholders to deliver technology solutions aligned to business goals Strong ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and credibly to technical and non-technical audiences Proven judgment in balancing short term delivery needs with long term sustainability, security, and business impact Systems engineering and client services expertise 8+ years of experience designing, implementing, and operating enterprise systems in client services or enterprise IT environments Deep expertise across Microsoft client services technologies including Windows Server, Active Directory and Entra ID, Intune, Group Policy, Microsoft 365, identity, endpoint management, and PowerShell Strong experience with Azure administration and hybrid cloud environments Experience supporting Tier III level issues across Windows and macOS in a business critical environment Hands on experience integrating SaaS platforms and enterprise services used directly by end users Innovation and continuous improvement mindset Demonstrated experience improving operational outcomes through automation or process optimization Working knowledge of AI driven capabilities and their application to productivity, service management, or operational decision making Ability to evaluate emerging technologies pragmatically and advocate for adoption based on real business value Education and certifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience Relevant certifications are a plus, including Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, VMware Certified Professional, ITIL v4, PMP, or similar Equivalent experience and a strong record of continuous learning are valued alongside formal education   Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between $116,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year. The full range is $116,000.00 - $209,000.00 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely. #LI-PS #LI-Hybrid How you’ll be successful Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do. Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.   Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results. Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve.  Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.   Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.   What to expect An innovative culture driven by impact, delivering meaningful outcomes. Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon. Competitive cash-based compensation programs. 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you. Generous paid family leave. Employer-paid life insurance. Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance. US Employees: 401k Employer Matching. UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions. Fitness reimbursement. Commuter benefit. LinkedIn learning. Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles. Hybrid work environment.   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases. The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at mailto:accommodationrequest_ta@pokemon.com. Offices: Bellevue, Washington, United States (Bellevue, WA - US);