Senior System Administrator & Onsite Lead (m/f/d)

Coffee and free food in the office are amazing and yes, we do have those.  But let's be honest, that is not what really matters . At softgarden we strive to live an open company culture, where ...

• work moves around your personal life and not the other way around
• fair communication and feedback are not just any buzzwords
• you are trusted with flexible working hours, home office and remote work options

But of course, we also have the other benefits, too ...

• Public transportation ticket or a job bike 
• Company pension plan
• Access to corporate benefits
• 30 days of vacation with a 5-day week
• Discounted Wellpass membership
• A present for your birthday and company anniversary
• Modern hardware (Mac or Windows - your choice)
• Team events, such as our christmas parties, free lunches, and after-work drinks
• A great, central office in Berlin near the zoo

Does that sound like you? Then we look forward to hearing from you via the online application form.

We’re looking for a hands-on Senior System Administrator who will act as the onsite technical lead for our Berlin office. You’ll be the day-to-day face of IT on the ground, ensuring smooth operations, driving improvements, and acting as a key link between IT and the business. As our Head of Office IT works remotely, this role comes with a high level of ownership and visibility.

Your responsibilities include: 

• Serve as the primary onsite point of contact for IT and represent IT interests toward internal stakeholders.
• Provide 2nd-level support and manage escalations end-to-end.
• Administer and continuously improve our Microsoft 365 environment (Intune, Entra ID, Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive).
• Manage server infrastructure and virtualisation environments as well as selected third‑party tools.
• Lead IT projects independently, from scoping to rollout (e.g. security, automation, tooling).
• Coordinate external service providers and maintain clear system documentation.
• Identify and implement automation and AI-supported solutions to improve efficiency.
• Gradually take on onsite leadership tasks such as mentoring, coordination, and onboarding support.

• Completed IT training or a comparable qualification, with a solid technical foundation.
• 5+ years of experience in IT system administration or in a senior IT role.
• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 and cloud‑first environments.
• Practical experience with server infrastructure and virtualisation (Windows Server, Linux, VMware and/or Hyper-V), combined with solid networking fundamentals (LAN/WAN, VPN, DNS, DHCP) and the ability to troubleshoot independently.
• Solid understanding of IT security fundamentals, including endpoint protection, identity & access management (IAM), and patch management, with ownership of on-site security topics such as access reviews, endpoint compliance, and coordination with external audits.
• A proactive, structured way of working and comfort with a high level of autonomy.
• Resilience and clarity even in dynamic environments, combined with confident communication and people skills with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and the ability to communicate in German.
• Willingness to be present in our Berlin office at least two days per week.

Nice to have:

• Hands-on experience with AI-powered productivity and automation tools (e.g. Microsoft Copilot Studio, Claude Code or similar).
• Prior exposure to a team lead, tech lead, or informal leadership role (e.g. coordinating small teams or mentoring colleagues)
• Relevant Microsoft certifications such as MS-102, AZ-104, or SC-300.
• Background in a scale-up or mid-sized international company where initiative and adaptability matter as much as process.