IT Principal Engineer (Servers and Storage)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Cambridge is seeking an IT Principal Engineer to lead Linux server, storage, and cloud operations, focusing on security compliance and automation. You will work with experts across UIS to design resilient infrastructure and guide risk-based security strategies.

The role emphasizes developing information security policy, implementing scalable tech, maintaining documentation, and ensuring business continuity.

Qualifications

• Linux (RHEL or Ubuntu) systems administration.
• Experience running and monitoring secure systems.
• Strong scripting and automation skills - Python where valuable.
• Configuration / code management (e.g. Ansible). VMware hypervisor, networking and automation.
• NAS and SAN storage systems.
• Full stack understanding of how IT layers interoperate.

Responsibilities

• Work within a team to support and transform core IT server infrastructure - physical and virtual.
• Contribute to development of information security policy, standards and guidelines.
• Implement and support technologies in server, virtualization, storage, and software - using automation.
• Ensure business continuity measures are implemented and maintained.
• Monitor, diagnose and proactively fix issues.
• Own in-team technical projects for infrastructure improvements.
• Maintain automated systems to administer systems and services at scale.
• Maintain documentation for systems and processes.

Skills

Linux administration

Python scripting

Automation

Security monitoring

Troubleshooting

Communication & collaboration

Documentation

Problem-solving

Education

Degree (2:1 or higher) or equivalent

Tools

Ansible

VMware

NAS/SAN storage

Apache/Tomcat

PostgreSQL/MySQL

Job description

The role

In this role you will administer Linux servers, and storage systems, in private and public clouds, along with security compliance and monitoring work. You will also provide advice and guidance on security strategies, managing identified risks and enabling the adoption of standards. The Servers & Storage team offers a supportive and collaborative environment, and you will get to work alongside subject-matter experts. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills and develop your career.

What you will do

As an IT Principal Engineer responsible for Linux servers, you will:

• Work within a team to support and enhance and transform our core IT server infrastructure - both physical and virtual.
• Contribute to the development of information security policy, standards and guidelines.
• Implement and support key technologies in server, virtualisation, storage, and software - 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 to solve the needs of one of the leading academic institutions in the world.
• Ensure your technical skills are kept up to date.

What we are looking for

The successful applicant will have demonstrable experience working with the following products and technologies:

• Linux (RHEL or Ubuntu) systems administration.
• Experience of running and monitoring secure systems.
• Strong scripting and automation skills - Python experience would be particularly valuable.
• Configuration / code management (eg Ansible).VMware hypervisor, networking and automation.
• NAS and SAN storage systems.
• Full stack understanding of how different layers of IT interoperate, from networking up to the application / service level.
• Strong troubleshooting skills.
• Good communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.

The following skills/knowledge would also be useful:

• IT Compliance Monitoring and Management (e.g. Tanium).
• Endpoint Detection and Response (e.g. SentinelOne).
• Email routing.
• Web technologies (Apache, Tomcat, traffic management, search engines).
• Databases (esp. PostgreSQL, MySQL).
• VMware Cloud Foundation or its component technologies.
• NAS and SAN storage systems.
• Comfortable finding solutions across technology boundaries.
• Degree (2:1 or higher) or equivalent work experience.

The team is flexible and supportive, and we endeavour to allow employees to focus on the technologies they wish to where possible.

We support flexible and family-friendly working and are open to non-standard working patterns.

If you would like more information about this role enquiries can be directed by email to [e-mail].

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.