Cloud Systems Engineer II – Virginia Tech

V T CORPORATE RESOURCE CTR; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

V T CORPORATE RESOURCE CTR is looking for a Cloud Systems Engineer II to support the generative AI platform at Virginia Tech. The role involves architecting scalable systems, designing hybrid solutions using Azure, and managing cloud environments.

Applicants should possess a Master's degree in Computer Science and relevant Azure certifications. Excellent skills in scripting and experience with cloud solutions like Azure and AWS are critical to this role.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science or IT related field.
• Ability to automate tasks using cloud-based scripting.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals or higher certification.

Responsibilities

• Architect scalable and highly available systems for CCS.
• Design hybrid architecture using Azure technologies.
• Support day-to-day operations of a generative AI platform in Azure.

Skills

Cloud-based scripting technologies

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

Familiarity with Azure-based AI or data services

Experience with 3rd-party cloud solutions

Data encryption technologies

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science

Tools

Azure ARM

AWS CDK

Terraform

Job description

The Enterprise Solutions & Enabling Technologies (ESET) unit within the Division of IT at Virginia Tech is working to ensure that faculty, staff, and students at the university have access to robust tools and environments to empower innovation and collaboration at all levels. To support this mission, ESET is seeking a Cloud Systems Engineer II to join the team. This position supports Virginia Tech’s enterprise generative AI platform and provides cloud systems administration and operational support through ESET’s Collaborative Computing Solutions (CCS) department, including support for CCS-managed services and approved external partners.

About CCS

• University Email Services (Gmail and Exchange Online)
• VT SaaS Offerings (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Slack)
• Cloud Accounts and Services (AWS, Azure, and GCP)
• Secure Virtual Environments (Azure Local)
• VT Active Directory

Responsibilities

• Architecting geographically redundant, scalable, and highly available systems for CCS.
• Ability to design a hybrid architecture using key Azure technologies as well as a continuous integration and deployment process.
• Design and plan improvements to CCS virtualized on-prem and cloud-based environments to support compliance requirements, performance optimization, and scalability.
• Leading configuration, deployment, and management of on-prem and cloud-based network infrastructure components, including firewalls, switches, host servers, and storage systems.
• Participate in vendor-supported maintenance, upgrades, and issue resolution activities, including documenting changes, assisting with testing in non-production environments, and supporting change and release management processes.
• Support day-to-day operations of a university-managed generative AI platform hosted in Microsoft Azure, including monitoring service health, availability, and usage trends, and assisting with incident response and vendor escalation as needed.
• Support monitoring, logging, and reporting for cloud-hosted platforms, including assisting with usage analysis, cost visibility, and operational dashboards to support service sustainability and chargeback models.
• Create and maintain up-to-date documentation of services and functions. Consisting of, but not limited to, network diagrams and architectural blueprints.
• Follow established policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure operational excellence and efficient workflow.
• Consult with faculty, staff, researchers, and IT partners to advise them on best practice strategies for using and integrating with Cloud solutions at Virginia Tech.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, IT related field or a combination of education, training, and work experience that equates to a master’s degree.
• Ability to utilize cloud-based scripting technologies and techniques to automate cloud provisioning and tasks. Such as Azure ARM, Azure Bicep, AWS CDK, or Terraform.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals or higher certification.
• Familiarity with Azure-based AI or data services (e.g., Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, or similar managed AI services), including configuration, access control, monitoring, and cost management within a cloud environment.
• Experience with 3rd-party cloud solutions such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS developing cloud-based infrastructure and networking between cloud and on-prem solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of data encryption technologies.
• Knowledge of authentication protocols and other methods of providing security for passwords and network communication, including Multi-Factor Authentication.
• Strong skills in preparing reports/documents and presenting information.
• Relevant professional certifications such as Microsoft/AWS Certified: DevOps Engineer or Microsoft/AWS Certified: Solutions Architect.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact IT Human Resources at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.