IT Engineer (Servers and Storage)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University Information Services (UIS) at the University of Cambridge is seeking an IT Engineer to join a team managing Windows servers and services with a focus on VMware, storage, automation and backup. The role involves supporting core IT infrastructure, implementing automation, ensuring business continuity and collaborating across UIS and university teams.

The ideal candidate will have VMware administration experience, scripting skills in Python and PowerShell, and strong troubleshooting

Qualifications

• VMware systems administration experience.
• Scripting and automation in Python and PowerShell valued.
• Experience with Enterprise NAS & SAN systems.
• Backup system administration experience.
• Windows Server environment administration.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support and enhance core IT server infrastructure.
• Implement and support VMware environments with automation.
• Maintain business continuity measures to minimise downtime.
• Monitor, diagnose and proactively fix issues.
• Lead in-team technical projects to improve infrastructure.
• Implement and maintain automated systems for administration at scale.
• Maintain accurate system and process documentation.
• Collaborate with UIS and University teams (engineers, networks, security, DBAs, PMs).
• Design systems and select technologies to keep skills up to date.

Skills

VMware administration

Scripting

Python

PowerShell

NAS & SAN

Backup systems

Windows Server

Troubleshooting

Tools

VMware

NAS/SAN

Job description

University Information Services (UIS) provides the digital infrastructure, business information and computing services at the heart of one of the world's top universities. The University of Cambridge has a bold ambition to use digitalisation to transform education and research, and UIS' team of developers, designers, testers, analysts and support staff is leading this exciting work.

The role

The IT Engineer will join a team of customer-focused systems administrators, working to support Windows servers and services running on them, with a focus on VMware, Storage, Automation and Backup.

What you will do

• Work within a team to support and enhance and transform our core IT server infrastructure
• Implement and support key technologies in VMware environments - utilising automation and scripting where possible
• Ensure that business continuity measures are implemented and maintained to minimize the impact of systems failure
• Monitor, diagnose and proactively fix issues
• Own in-team technical projects associated with the improvement of infrastructure
• Implement and maintain automated systems to administer systems and services at scale.
• Ensure that systems and procedural documentation is maintained and accurate
• Work closely with people across UIS and wider University, including software engineers, networks engineers, security staff, database administrators, project managers and service teams.
• Design systems / choose appropriate technologies ensure your technical skills are kept up to date

What you will need

• VMware systems administration.
• Scripting and automation skills Python and Powershell experience would be particularly valuable
• Enterprise NAS & SAN systems
• Backup system administration
• Running third party server applications on Window Server
• Full stack understanding of how different layers of IT interoperate, from networking up to the application / service level. VMware hypervisor, networking and automation are useful skills to have.
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• Good communication, organisational and problem-solving skills

This position is permanent, usually based on the University's West Cambridge Site.

The closing date for applications is: Monday 19th October 2026

The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference VC51257 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department/institution/Faculty/School/University.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.