Systems Engineer I

**Job Title** Systems Engineer I **Agency** Texas A&M Agrilife Research **Department** AgriLife Center for Managed Technology Services (CMTS) **Proposed Minimum Salary** Commensurate **Job Location** College Station, Texas **Job Type** Staff **Job Description** **About Texas A&M AgriLife** Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: * [Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service](https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/) * [Texas A&M AgriLife Research](https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/) * [College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University](https://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/) * [Texas A&M Forest Service](https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/) * [Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory](https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/) As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension, and service. Click [**here**](https://agrilife.tamu.edu/) to learn more about how _**you**_ can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world! **Position Information** The Systems Engineer I supports the Center for Managed Technology Services (CMTS) by designing, deploying, and managing Linux and Windows research systems, virtual infrastructure, backups, and instrumentation environments. This position is part of a dedicated systems engineering vertical and contributes to secure, stable, and scalable infrastructure across institutional research environments, partnering with institutional governance teams, researchers, and vendors to implement secure, reliable solutions. **Responsibilities:** **Server & Endpoint Engineering (Linux/Windows) + Security Compliance** * Build, configure, secure, and maintain Linux and Windows servers/endpoints supporting research and enterprise workflows. * Implement hardening, patching, access controls, encryption, logging, and audit-readiness requirements in alignment with CMTS and institutional security guidance. * Contribute to baseline standards and approved patterns; document deviations when required. * Troubleshoot OS and application-level issues; perform performance tuning and operational fixes. **Virtual Infrastructure & Cloud Networking** * Deploy, configure, and administer virtual infrastructure supporting research and enterprise environments (Azure, AWS, on-prem VMware as the footprint grows). * Execute VM lifecycle tasks (provisioning, configuration, patch/hardening implementation, monitoring integration, compliance alignment, and decommissioning) following CMTS standards and approved maintenance windows. * Partner with institutional governance teams and unit IT partners to implement routing/peering, IP/DNS, and firewall/VPN access needs, following institutional change controls and designated approval paths. **Storage, Backup, and Recovery Operations** * Implement and monitor backup and recovery solutions across supported platforms (cloud storage, Synology C2, future on-prem storage, and researcher-provided storage as applicable). * Configure backup cadence/retention based on project requirements and validate restoration readiness when required. * Recommend storage approaches aligned to performance, cost, and data lifecycle needs and document decisions. **Research Workstation, Instrumentation, and Field Support + Vendor Enablement** * Perform routine remote checks and schedule on-site inspections for research workstations and instrument-attached systems. * Conduct manual patching where automatic updates are constrained by experimental risk and approved change windows. * Respond to hardware issues and instrument-computer failures; coordinate troubleshooting and resolution with appropriate partners. * Support vendor access and maintenance activities and document exceptions when upgrades are not feasible. **Researcher Enablement, Intake, and Governance Alignment** * Participate in researcher consultations for compute, storage, security, and lifecycle planning; help translate needs into implementable technical options. * Assist with onboarding and configuration for scientific workflows within CMTS-supported environments. * Contribute technical inputs for infrastructure planning and cost estimates to support proposals and planning. * Follow institutional governance requirements and document exceptions when researchers decline CMTS services and assume responsibility for compliance. **Documentation, Standards, and Service Design** * Create and maintain operational documentation, support procedures, and technical references across OS, virtualization, storage/backup, monitoring, incident response, and vendor coordination. * Contribute to service-level documents (SLDs) and intake workflows to support consistency, audit readiness, and operational continuity. * Maintain audit-ready records that support repeatable execution and knowledge transfer. **DevOps & Automation Support (Shared Function)** * Support automation pipelines and CI/CD workflows shared across Software & Applications and Technology & Engineering verticals, using tools such as Ansible, Python, and GitHub Actions, and Azure DevOps. * Contribute to infrastructure-as-code practices that support the reliability of cloud and hybrid platforms. * Collaborate with Software & Applications and Technology & Engineering staff on shared automation initiatives, providing systems engineering context and support as needed. **Continuous Skill Development and Expanding Ownership** * Build capability across Linux/Windows administration, Azure/AWS/VMWare, on-prem infrastructure, monitoring/observability, and research instrumentation environments. * Take on increasing responsibility for technical deliverables within projects over time in collaboration with the broader CMTS team. **Other Duties as Assigned** * Performs other duties as assigned to support CMTS and departmental operations. **Required Education and Experience:** * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. * Two years of experience supporting Linux/Windows servers in a professional environment. **Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:** * Familiarity with virtualization platforms, storage concepts, and core networking principles. * Ability to document system configurations, processes, and procedures. * Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills. * Basic familiarity with CI/CD and automation tooling (e.g., Ansible, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps) sufficient to support shared DevOps functions. * Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others. **Preferred Qualifications:** * Experience supporting research environments, HPC clusters, or mixed OS ecosystems. * Exposure to cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, VMWare), infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation), and automation frameworks. * Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and scripting (e.g., Bash, Python). * Experience with container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker). * Preferred certifications: CompTIA Linux+, Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Azure Administrator Associate, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate, or VMware Certified Professional (VCP). **Other Requirements:** * May require work outside standard office hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support operations and scheduled maintenance windows. * Requires periodic on-site visits to CMTS-supported lab locations. **What You Need to Know**  **Salary: Pay Grade 72.** Compensation is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.  **Position is based on-site in College Station, Texas.** **Full-time remote work** is **NOT** available for this position. However, partially remote work may be available, pending employee eligibility requirements are met in accordance with AgriLife Alternate Work Location Procedures. Non-immigrant foreign nationals are prohibited by export control laws from performing the employment responsibilities associated with this position; **sponsorship is NOT available.** **Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?**  When you choose to _work for_ Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.  In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:   * [Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance](https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/) with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums. * 12-15 days of annual paid holidays * Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month  * Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas    * Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife  **Applicant Instructions**  A cover letter, resumé, and references are requested. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.   Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.  All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.