Senior Digital Infrastructure Engineer

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) seeks a Senior Digital Infrastructure Engineer to ensure reliable, secure, and scalable digital operations. You will administer cloud services, coordinate with MSU IT, and support scientists with custom software and lab integration.

Join a mission-driven team accelerating discovery in NF1 and related disorders, leveraging HPC, data governance, and cutting-edge lab tech in a collaborative Detroit setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5 years of experience managing IT infrastructure in a small-to-medium sized organization.
• Strong scripting and automation skills using Python, PowerShell, or Bash.
• Hands-on experience administering at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Experience managing identity and access systems and implementing security controls.
• Experience supporting heterogeneous environments spanning Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the reliable, secure, and high-performing operation of NGNRI’s digital infrastructure and execute on its development roadmap.
• Partner with MSU IT on the delivery and maintenance of networking, end-user hardware devices, and core digital services.
• Administer the cloud services underpinning NGNRI’s digital infrastructure, including provisioning, monitoring, cost management, and access controls.
• Provide first-tier support for NGNRI’s IT hardware devices and software services, and coordinate escalation with MSU IT and external vendors as needed.
• Collaborate closely with the Lab Automation Engineer to ensure seamless integration of digitally enabled lab instruments with NGNRI’s digital infrastructure.
• Act as the primary point of contact for scientists’ requests for custom scientific software applications, scoping solutions and coordinating delivery.
• Liaise with the MSU IT High-Performance Computing team (ICER) to ensure availability and performance for research data analysis workloads.
• Manage identity and access, including onboarding and offboarding, single sign-on, and role-based access controls across NGNRI systems.
• Design and maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity processes that safeguard NGNRI’s research data and services.
• Ensure compliance with information security, data protection, and relevant regulatory and institutional requirements.

Skills

Scripting

Cloud platforms

Identity & access

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Docker

Terraform

Ansible

Job description

The Senior Digital Infrastructure Engineer will ensure the reliable, secure, and scalable operation of NGNRI’s digital infrastructure and will execute on its development roadmap, serving as the operational backbone of the institute’s Digital Ecosystem.

This role will administer cloud services, partner with the MSU IT Team on networking, end-user hardware, and digital services, and act as the primary point of contact for scientists requiring custom software, databases, or integration of digitally enabled lab devices. Working closely with the Lab Automation Engineer and the wider Digital Team, the successful candidate will translate scientific needs into robust, well-supported technical solutions.

This is a key technical position with a clear mandate: to deliver and continuously improve the digital foundation on which NGNRI’s science depends, accelerating the discovery of therapeutic targets and compounds for NF1 and related neurological disorders.

About the role

Ensure the reliable, secure, and high-performing operation of NGNRI’s digital infrastructure and execute on its development roadmap

Partner with MSU IT on the delivery and maintenance of networking, end-user hardware devices, and core digital services

Administer the cloud services underpinning NGNRI’s digital infrastructure, including provisioning, monitoring, cost management, and access controls

Provide first-tier support for NGNRI’s IT hardware devices and software services, and coordinate escalation with MSU IT and external vendors as needed

Collaborate closely with the Lab Automation Engineer to ensure seamless integration of digitally enabled lab instruments with NGNRI’s digital infrastructure

Act as the primary point of contact for scientists’ requests for custom scientific software applications (e.g., bioinformatics tools, databases, internal web applications), scoping solutions and coordinating delivery

Liaise with the MSU IT High-Performance Computing team (ICER) to ensure availability and performance for research data analysis workloads

Manage identity and access, including onboarding and offboarding, single sign-on, and role-based access controls across NGNRI systems

Design and maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity processes that safeguard NGNRI’s research data and services

Ensure compliance with information security, data protection, and relevant regulatory and institutional requirements (e.g., HIPAA where applicable, partner-institution policies, data governance standards)

Manage vendor relationships and contribute to procurement decisions for hardware, software, and cloud services

Maintain clear technical documentation and internal knowledge resources, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NGNRI’s digital strategy and roadmap

About you

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience

5 years of experience managing IT infrastructure in a small-to-medium sized organization

Strong scripting and automation skills using tools such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash

Hands‑on experience administering at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including identity, networking, and cost controls

Experience managing identity and access systems and implementing security controls

Experience supporting heterogeneous environments spanning Linux, Windows, and macOS

Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting research, healthcare, life sciences, or laboratory environments

Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments

Experience with containerization and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Docker, Terraform, or Ansible

Familiarity with laboratory instrument integration and automation

Knowledge of security frameworks and regulatory requirements such as NIST, CIS, HIPAA, or research data governance standards

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI)is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinicalexpertiseto accelerate translational discovery.

Located within a new,state-of-the-artresearch facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.

NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute tocutting-edgescience within a vibrant and expanding hub.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of NGNRI at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. NGNRI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [e-mail] .