Systems Engineer

Summary of Position

Formulates technical strategies and engineers (designs, develops, maintains) technology systems processes and services. Administers enterprise technology services, infrastructure, networked environments, applications, and related technology elements.

Designs, develops, implements, validates, and maintains specialized systems and services. Leads technical aspects of risk management.

Works with minimal supervision to create and document lifecycle systems operations concepts, specifications, and requirements including resources. Leads technical projects and/or process development.

Advises upper management. Coordinates efforts of subordinate technical personnel. Maintains extensive knowledge of relevant technologies, industry best practices, tools, procedures, and protocols.

Position Information

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Formulates enterprise technical strategies for automated methods of delivering and/or improving technology services including identification, analysis, and definition of service requirements.

Engineers and architects technology systems, processes, and services using well established technology engineering practices and techniques. Formulates the technical scope, objectives, and resource allocation requirements of projects. Advises upper management regarding technical aspects of the strategic planning process. Collaborates with constituents as needed to independently advise, consult, and implement technology according to institutional strategic goals.

Coordinates efforts of technicians and student employees; mentors, coaches, and guides the team to stay motivated and accomplish tasks. Provides direction and communicates expectations throughout project life cycle. Performs industry research and maintains extensive knowledge of relevant systems technologies, industry best practices, tools, procedures, and protocols.

Administers enterprise and networked technology services including network administration, services security, monitoring, maintenance, backup, recovery, and related client-service, web-based, or other distributed technology environment services. Administers Unix, Linux, Windows, and/or other networked server, operating system, and/or applications. Determines, installs, and maintains technology hardware and software services and applications including servers and network infrastructure, Active Directory, Azure authentication, multi-factor authentication (MFA), operating systems, and related networked or stand-alone systems.

Designs, develops, implements, validates, and maintains specialized systems and services as well as associated technical standards, policies, best practices, and procedures. Conducts efficient, thorough service process reviews, presenting decision authorities an accurate assessment of project status and required next steps.

Responsible for coordination, integration, and verification of system elements and creation and/or validation of technical system specifications. Writes and distributes specialized technical documentation as needed and/or required. Ensures adequate resources are identified for the operational life of the project/system/service. Designs, implements, and manages requests for technology resources including storage space management.

Works with minimal supervision to identify, analyze, and define user needs and translate those requirements into a documented lifecycle system operations concept, specifications, and system level requirements for various enterprise projects and tasks within a team often focusing on the most challenging assignments. Coordinates efforts of subordinate technology personnel.

Plans, schedules, and sponsors technical exchange meetings, attends change control meetings and conducts technical and project management briefings and training sessions. Leads the preparation, coordination, and implementation of complex change requests, complex situation resolutions and configuration management processes as required. Establishes processes and procedures to implement operating schedules responsive to customer's requirements.

Leads technical aspects of risk management process. Identifies system weaknesses and/or problems and mitigates technical risks especially regarding security.

Coordinates and/or implements corrective measures and problem resolution processes. Communicates technology issues and concerns to management and colleagues as appropriate.

Leads technical services validation process. Develops, implements, and maintains a metrics program that aligns technical service, training criteria, and metrics to actively measure and monitor progress in meeting goals, including continuously improved systems and services quality.

Provides reports of system performance and availability as well as other metrics periodically and as requested. Depending on assignment, may manage operations of the deployed project(s), system(s), and/or service(s). Maintains logs of repairs, updates work orders. Responsible for data quality of data maintained within and reported from area(s) of responsibility.

Maintains extensive knowledge of relevant technologies, industry best practices, tools, procedures, and protocols. Collaborates with peer institutions and industry partners regarding technology initiatives, goals, and agreements.

Stays current with technology industry trends, issues, and opportunities, including attending approved training events. Develops grant opportunities and works with leadership to secure the same. Trains faculty, staff, and/or students in operations and functions of specialized technology procedures and utilization. Surveys instructional technology users and leaders to assess needs and determine system and service satisfaction levels.

Administers and coordinates activities related to design, implementation, and maintenance of very large and complex database system for multiple applications but especially as part of the ERP system. Confers with database management system software vendors on database problems.

Approves database designs of other staff, estimates time, cost, and personnel requirements for new database applications and existing maintenance modifications. Approves logical and physical location of all database records and ensures available storage for system; collects and monitors statistics on system usage, growth, and efficiency; analyzes designs of new computer systems for potential database utilization. Provides technical assistance and consultation to other system and application personnel and/or other users; coordinates implementation of databases and/or changes to on-line systems.

Other Functions and Responsibilities:Performs other related duties as assigned.

Equipment Operated:Computer and all other standard office equipment.

Work Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday.

On call rotation may be required. Must carry on campus radio and may be required to carry off campus cell phone. Ability to work some evening, weekend, and holiday hours. Potential for remote work.

Supervision Exercised:May exercise supervision over student employees.

Reports to: Director, IT Infrastructure Services

Qualifications and Competencies

Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures:None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: University policies and procedures*; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives*; department/division policies and procedures*; workplace safety practices and procedures*; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management.

Skill in: Problem-solving abilities in complex technology environments; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division*.

Ability to: Successfully work independently with clients and technical support personnel. define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; travel to and gain access to work site; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one tasks to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.

(*) Developed after employment.

Minimum Qualifications:At least a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year higher education institution; two or more years of experience in administration of servers and technology services deployment in a 500 user or more business environment. Proficient understanding and working knowledge of common business technology platforms, operating systems, security practices, networking, authentication, and services deployment and integration.

Previous support experience in a business environment for Windows and Unix/Linux environments. Working knowledge of networking essentials.

Preferred Qualifications:Experience in higher education setting. Experience with ERP systems especially Banner 8.x or 9.x from Ellucian Company L.P.

Experience in automating server tasks using PowerShell scripting, along with proficiency in managing Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and Microsoft Intune policies. Experience with identity management, single sign-on, and access control in cloud-based environments especially Azure Active Directory (AAD). Knowledge of best practices for securing student and institutional data.