Systems Engineer II

Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is seeking a Systems Engineer II to join the Infrastructure Services and Architecture team in Worcester. This role oversees OS, web and app servers, databases, and access configuration to keep campus applications patched, available, and securely configured.

The engineer will coordinate upgrades, implement automation via PowerShell/Python, and provide Tier II/III support while collaborating with IAM, Security, and vendor teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/IT or related field.
• Three+ years of progressive systems administration experience including enterprise applications.
• Strong Windows Server admin skills and Linux knowledge.
• Experience with IIS/Apache/Nginx/Tomcat and TLS management.
• SQL Server administration and backups/restores.
• Familiarity with SSO (SAML/OIDC) and Entra ID.
• Scripting in PowerShell.

Responsibilities

• Platform & Application Administration: install, upgrade, maintain servers hosting enterprise apps.
• Coordinate upgrades with owners, testing, change requests, scheduling and rollback planning.
• Configure and maintain web servers and TLS certificates.
• Work with Integrations team to provide network/API access and troubleshoot issues.
• Patching & Lifecycle Management: own patch cycles and plan upgrades.
• Maintain configuration baselines and fix drift.
• Operations & Support: provide Tier II/III support and root cause analysis.
• Monitor health and automate routines with scripts.
• Participate in on-call rotations and after-hours maintenance.
• Database Administration: manage SQL Server and other DBs, backups, performance.
• Work with vendors on schema upgrades and data fixes.
• Access & Identity Configuration: configure SSO and RBAC with IAM.
• Documentation, backup & recovery: keep runbooks and CMDB up to date.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Windows Server administration

Linux administration

SSO / IAM concepts

PowerShell scripting

On-call readiness

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or related field

Equivalent combination of education and professional experience

Tools

IIS

Apache/Nginx/Tomcat

SQL Server

MECM/SCCM

WSUS/Intune/Azure Update Manager

Entra ID / SSO protocols

PowerShell

Python

Job description

DEPARTMENT NAME

Infrastructure Services and Architecture

JOB TITLE

Systems Engineer II

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Infrastructure Services and Architecture

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

Job Description Summary

The Systems Engineer II is a member of the Systems Engineering and Operations team responsible for the infrastructure, platforms, and configuration that keep WPI's enterprise applications running. The role works across the full application stack - operating systems, web and application servers, databases, and access configuration - to keep campus applications patched, available, well documented, and securely configured. The Systems Engineer II independently owns assigned systems, coordinates upgrades and vendor releases, and provides Tier II/III support. The position works closely with application owners, vendors, Information Security, the Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Integrations teams to support WPI's academic and operational mission.

Responsibilities

• Platform & Application Administration
  • Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain the servers and platforms that host enterprise applications such as CBORD, StarRez, 25Live, and other departmental systems, whether on premises, vendor-hosted, or SaaS.
  • Coordinate application upgrades and vendor releases with departmental owners, including testing, change requests, scheduling, and rollback planning.
  • Configure and maintain web and application servers (IIS, Apache, Nginx, Tomcat), including bindings, reverse proxies, load balancing, and TLS certificates.
  • Work with the Integrations team, which builds and supports integrations between systems, to give applications what they need on the platform side (network connectivity, service accounts, API access, and file transfer endpoints) and to troubleshoot integration issues with core systems such as SIS, HR, IAM, and payment processors.
• Patching & Lifecycle Management
  • Own the patching cycle for operating systems, middleware, and application components on assigned systems, following established maintenance windows and change management.
  • Track vendor support lifecycles and plan upgrades before end-of-support dates.
  • Maintain configuration baselines and fix drift and audit findings within defined timelines.
• Operations & Support
  • Provide Tier II/III support for escalated application and infrastructure incidents, and drive root cause analysis.
  • Monitor system health, logs, and alerts, and tune monitoring to catch issues early.
  • Write PowerShell, Python, or Bash scripts to automate routine administration, patching, and reporting.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation and support after-hours maintenance windows as needed.
• Database Administration
  • Administer application databases (primarily Microsoft SQL Server; also MySQL/PostgreSQL), including installation, maintenance plans, backups, restores, performance tuning, and access permissions.
  • Work with vendors on schema upgrades, data fixes, and performance problems.
• Access & Identity Configuration
  • Configure the server and application side of authentication and authorization, including SSO (SAML, OIDC), role-based access, and service accounts, in coordination with the IAM team, which owns identity services such as Microsoft Entra ID.
  • Carry out application-level access configuration and support periodic access reviews for assigned applications, following IAM team processes, least privilege, and institutional policy.
  • Work with Information Security on vulnerability remediation, certificate management, and incident response for assigned systems.
• Documentation, Backup & Recovery
  • Keep runbooks, system diagrams, configuration records, and CMDB entries accurate and up to date.
  • Take part in backup, recovery, and disaster recovery testing for assigned applications.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or a related field, OR equivalent combination of education and demonstrated professional experience.
• Three or more years of progressive systems administration experience, including at least two years supporting enterprise or vendor applications (Level II).
• Strong Windows Server administration skills and working knowledge of Linux.
• Hands‑on experience with IIS and/or Apache/Nginx/Tomcat, including TLS certificate management.
• Microsoft SQL Server administration (backup/restore, maintenance, permissions, and basic query tuning).
• Experience with patch management tools and practices (MECM/SCCM, WSUS, Intune, Azure Update Manager, or similar).
• Experience configuring servers and applications for SSO (SAML, OIDC, and Entra ID) and role-based access models.
• Scripting in PowerShell.
• Willingness to participate in an on‑call rotation and support after‑hours maintenance windows.

Other Requirements - Preferred

• Experience supporting higher education auxiliary systems (CBORD, StarRez, 25Live).
• Experience with virtualization (Nutanix AHV preferred) and Azure/Microsoft 365.
• Scripting in Python or Bash.
• Familiarity with monitoring and logging tools and compliance requirements such as FERPA and PCI DSS.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate; CompTIA Server+, Linux+, or Security+; or ITIL Foundation.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a systematic approach to root cause analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple systems, upgrades, and maintenance windows at the same time.
• Commitment to documentation, change management, and knowledge transfer.
• Effective written and verbal communication with application owners, vendors, and IT colleagues.
• Collaborative working style across IT teams and campus departments.

Salary Grade 9: $82,600 - $90,000 per year (depending on experience)

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Compensation at WPI

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.

About WPI

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a vibrant community of extraordinary students, talented and dedicated staff, and world-renowned faculty. Along with its state‑of‑the‑art research facilities, WPI, offers competitive and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, life and long‑term disability insurance, retirement savings plans, tuition assistance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and a working environment that prioritizes mental health and well‑being. It is a community committed to civility and respect—making inclusion and belonging a reality for everyone on its campus.