Operations Engineer - Infrastructure College of Arts and Sciences

**Job Description** **The College of Arts & Sciences has an outstanding opportunity for an Operations Engineer - Infrastructure, College of Arts and Sciences to join their team.** **About this Opportunity** **Operate, modernize, and scale the platforms behind teaching and research** Reporting to the Manager of Infrastructure and Systems, the Systems and Cloud Administrator is responsible for the reliable operation, security, and continuous improvement of the server and cloud platforms that support academic, research, and administrative computing across the College. This role works in a hybrid technology environment spanning on-premises infrastructure, virtualized platforms, and cloud services. The position keeps complex systems running reliably while contributing to automation, modernization, lifecycle management, and improved operational practices in collaboration with application developers, infrastructure engineers, automation engineers, and security staff. This is a team-based position that provides opportunities for cross-training and skill development across related functional areas. The role includes supporting other engineers as needed and serving as backup to ensure reliable and continuous service delivery. **Key Responsibilities** **Systems & Cloud Operations – 45%** * Operate and maintain Linux server environments across on-premises, virtualized, and cloud platforms. * Serve as the primary operational owner for server platforms supporting CAS IT applications and services. * Monitor system health, performance, and capacity to ensure high availability and reliability. * Manage system-level identity, authentication, and access controls in coordination with campus identity services. * Respond to and troubleshoot operational issues, escalating and collaborating as needed. **System Maintenance, Patching & Lifecycle Management – 25%** * Plan and execute operating system updates, security patches, and platform upgrades across development, test, and production environments. * Perform and validate system backups, restores, and disaster recovery procedures. * Participate in server lifecycle planning, including upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning. * Coordinate maintenance activities with application teams to minimize service impact. **Security, Compliance & Risk Reduction – 20%** * Implement and maintain secure system configurations aligned with University and CAS IT standards. * Support vulnerability remediation, audit readiness, and compliance reporting. * Evaluate operational risks and recommend improvements to strengthen system security and resilience. * Ensure compliance with software licensing, data protection requirements, and institutional IT policies. **Documentation, Collaboration & Continuous Improvement – 10%** * Maintain clear, accurate documentation for system configurations, procedures, and operational workflows. * Contribute to shared runbooks, standards, and knowledge bases. * Collaborate with infrastructure automation, monitoring, and application teams to improve reliability and efficiency. * Stay current with evolving technologies, tools, and operational best practices. **Required Qualifications** To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration. **Minimum Qualifications** * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Physics, or a related field. * Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems administration, infrastructure operations, or cloud/platform engineering. **Applicants who do not meet these qualifications will not be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.** **Additional Qualifications** * Experience supporting production computing environments that require high availability, security, and operational reliability. * Strong experience administering Linux-based systems such as RHEL, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, or similar operating systems. * Experience with system patching, upgrades, backups, restores, disaster recovery procedures, and lifecycle management for operating systems and core services. * Experience with virtualized and/or cloud-based infrastructure, including platforms such as VMware, AWS, Azure, or comparable technologies. * Proficiency with scripting and automation using tools such as Python, Bash, or similar scripting languages. * Working knowledge of identity and access management systems such as Active Directory, LDAP, or cloud identity platforms. * Understanding of system security best practices, including configuration hardening, patch compliance, vulnerability remediation, and access controls. * Demonstrated experience working within established IT standards, policies, and security frameworks. * Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision, both independently and in a collaborative team environment, while meeting deadlines. * Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to work with clients and colleagues with varying levels of technical background. * Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, independent judgment, and creative problem-solving ability. **Preferred Qualifications** * Experience with Windows Server administration in addition to Linux-based systems. * Experience with container technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, or related deployment platforms. * Familiarity with infrastructure monitoring, alerting, logging, and observability tools and practices. * Experience working in higher education, research computing, or similarly complex institutional environments. * Operational experience supporting secure, reliable services used by academic, research, or administrative customers. **Working Conditions** * Work is performed in a professional office, data center, and collaborative technology environment. * This position uses standard computing equipment and participates in meetings, troubleshooting sessions, maintenance work, project work, and technical coordination across teams. * This position may need to respond to service-impacting issues, participate in planned maintenance activities, and coordinate with other technical teams to maintain reliable service delivery. * This position may occasionally require work outside regular business hours for maintenance, incident response, or urgent operational needs. **About the Team** CAS IT provides technical and organizational leadership for application development, infrastructure platforms, systems integration, and technology services across the College of Arts & Sciences. The Infrastructure team operates and modernizes the platforms that support academic, research, and administrative functions across one of the University's largest and most diverse colleges. With CAS IT, you will help operate, secure, and improve systems with purpose, including services that directly support teaching, research, and institutional operations, while working in a collaborative engineering environment focused on reliability, sustainability, and continuous improvement. **Compensation, Benefits and Position Details** **Pay Range Minimum:** $102,000.00 annual **Pay Range Maximum:** $112,800.00 annual **Other Compensation:** \- **Benefits:** For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/ **Shift:** First Shift (United States of America) **Temporary or Regular?** This is a regular position **FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):** 100.00% **Union/Bargaining Unit:** Not Applicable **About the UW**  Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.   UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.  **Our Commitment**  The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with [UW Executive Order No. 81](https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/). To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).  Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under [Washington state law](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080).