System Programmer/Administrator IV (Platform Systems Engineer)

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 122,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Paid vacation and leave

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits for employee and

Life insurance

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers University is seeking a System Programmer/Administrator IV (Platform Systems Engineer) to design and evolve core Linux-based platforms supporting enterprise workloads. The role emphasizes automation, infrastructure as code, and scalable platform engineering across on‑premises and cloud environments.

The ideal candidate will have strong Linux skills, hands-on Kubernetes/OpenShift experience, and expertise in automation frameworks like Ansible and Terraform, with an ability to guide

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or relevant field is required.
• Seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.
• Equivalent education, experience and/or training may be substituted for the degree requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer scalable Linux-based platform infrastructure across on-premises and cloud environments.
• Manage, support, and operate container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes or OpenShift in production environments, including cluster deployment and configuration, upgrades, scaling, monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintaining overall platform reliability and performance.
• Develop and expand infrastructure automation using tools such as Ansible Automation Platform, Terraform, GitLab, and similar technologies.
• Architect and implement infrastructure as code frameworks that standardize system deployment and configuration.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues, and take ownership of platform reliability and improvements.
• Lead initiatives that improve platform reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Skills

Linux

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Automation

Terraform

Ansible

Python

Bash

Networking

Monitoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

Ansible

Terraform

GitLab

Job description

Position Details

System Programmer/Administrator IV (Platform Systems Engineer)

Staff & Executive - Information Technology

OIT - Enterprise Infrastructur

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.

For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication's 2023 list. Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a System Programmer/Administrator IV (Platform Systems Engineer) in the Enterprise Infrastructure & Service Delivery/ Platform Systems Engineering within the Office of Information Technology (OIT).

Reporting to the IT Manager of the Platform Systems Engineering group within Enterprise Infrastructure, the System Programmer/Administrator IV is focused on designing, engineering, and evolving the core Linux-based platforms that support enterprise systems and engineering workloads. While strong Linux administration skills are required, the position emphasizes strategic platform engineering, automation strategy, and infrastructure architecture.

The ideal candidate understands how large-scale systems fit together, can design automation-driven environments, and helps guide the technical direction of platform infrastructure. Experience with container platforms, particularly Kubernetes, along with automation frameworks and familiarity with AI-related infrastructure or tooling is highly valued.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys thinking beyond day-to-day administration and contributing to the design, evolution, and automation of large-scale platform infrastructure.

Key Duties

• Design and engineer scalable Linux-based platform infrastructure across on-premises and cloud environments.
• Manage, support, and operate container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes or OpenShift in production environments, including cluster deployment and configuration, upgrades, scaling, monitoring, troubleshooting, and ensuring overall platform reliability and performance.
• Develop and expand infrastructure automation using tools such as Ansible Automation Platform, Terraform, GitLab, and similar technologies.
• Architect and implement infrastructure as code frameworks that standardize system deployment and configuration.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues, and take ownership of platform reliability and improvements.
• Lead initiatives that improve platform reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Salary Details

Minimum Salary: 121608.000

Mid Range Salary: 147221.000

Maximum Salary: 175737.000

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Employment Terms

Position Status: Full Time

Standard Hours: 37.50

FLSA: Exempt

Grade: 37S

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description: HPAE 5094

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility: ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or relevant field is required.
• Seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.
• Equivalent education, experience and/or training may be substituted for the degree requirements.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Linux engineering and administration experience in complex production environments required.
• Strong hands-on experience administering and operating container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes or OpenShift in production environments, including cluster deployment and configuration, upgrades, scaling, monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintaining overall platform reliability and performance required.
• Demonstrated experience designing infrastructure solutions rather than only maintaining them required.
• Hands-on expertise with automation and infrastructure as code using tools such as Ansible and Terraform required.
• Knowledge of observability and monitoring platforms required.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues, and take ownership of platform reliability and improvements.
• Experience with scripting or development for automation using Bash, Python, or similar languages required.
• Solid understanding of networking, system performance, and distributed systems concepts.
• Experience working in large-scale or enterprise infrastructure environments.
• Ability to think at both architectural and operational levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to AI or machine learning infrastructure, model deployment environments, or GPU-enabled systems. Familiarity with CI CD pipeline design and automation.
• Experience with hybrid infrastructure spanning on-premises and cloud platforms.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Office environment.
• Moderate Noise.

Posting Details

Posting Number: 26ST1704

Regional Campus: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus: Piscataway (RBHS)

City: Piscataway

State: NJ

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement