System Engineer

Company Description

Samford University is Alabama's top-ranked private university, offering nationally recognized academic programs grounded in its Christian mission. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, the university was established in 1841 and serves a diverse student body of 5,206 students from 46 states and 32 countries. Samford comprises 10 academic units, including business, law, health professions, and public health, among others, providing a vibrant and supportive learning environment for students and faculty.

Role Description

The Systems Engineer is responsible for the implementation, administration, monitoring, support, and maintenance of the university’s IT infrastructure. This role supports enterprise systems, including server administration (both Windows and Linux), storage, VMware, firewall operations, and networking infrastructure. The Systems Engineer will work collaboratively with the team to ensure smooth IT operations while gaining experience in various aspects of infrastructure management. This position offers flexibility for candidates with different backgrounds and skills, providing opportunities for growth and specialization.

Job Duties

• Considered a critical employee but will only receive that designation as needed. As a critical employee, the Systems Engineer may be required to work even when the university officially closes.
• Manage and maintain on-premises and cloud-based Windows and/or Linux servers.
• Administer and maintain VMware environments, including upgrades, patching, and performance monitoring.
• Assist in firewall management and infrastructure security practices, including the configuration of firewalls and monitoring traffic.
• Provide system administration for storage infrastructure, including network-attached storage (NAS) and storage area networks (SAN).
• Ensure nightly backups are performed and contribute to the maintenance of disaster recovery operations.
• Manage and review user provisioning processes for Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft 365 environments.
• Utilize PowerShell scripting for automation of system maintenance tasks and troubleshooting.
• Assist with the administration and renewal of SSL/TLS certificates.
• Collaborate with the network team to support network infrastructure, helping troubleshoot and resolve issues as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation for infrastructure components, ensuring system configurations and procedures are clearly recorded.
• Participate in infrastructure projects, including system upgrades and new implementations, providing technical support and expertise.
• Work closely with other team members to ensure continuous technology operations by monitoring all systems and responding to issues promptly.
• Maintain confidential information, or confidential issues, with discretion.
• Provide the Director of Network, Systems, and Infrastructure with a weekly status report on projects and tasks for the week.
• Assist with other projects or tasks as directed by the Director of Network, Systems, and Infrastructure.
• Document all issues and maintenance-related activities in the Technology Services ticket management system.
• Participate in the on-call rotation as assigned by the Assistant Director of Network, Systems, and Infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field; or at least five (5) years of relevant systems administration (Windows or Linux) and engineering experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in systems administration (Windows or Linux) and engineering.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in network infrastructure support. 
• Advanced knowledge of PowerShell scripting for task automation.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Willingness to learn and develop new technical skills in a collaborative team environment. 
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods, typically 6-8 hours per day, as the primary duties involve working at a computer.
• Ability to stand or walk for short periods, typically up to 1-2 hours per day, for tasks such as attending meetings or moving between workstations.
• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 30 pounds, such as computer equipment or office supplies.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls is necessary, particularly for tasks involving computer use and equipment setup.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, use a computer screen for extended periods, and accurately perform detailed work.
• Ability to hear and understand spoken communication, both in person and via electronic means, in a typical office environment.
• Ability to report to work daily, five days per week, and work continuously throughout the day, typically from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Experience in higher education environments is a plus.