Infrastructure Design Engineer - Information Technology

Grand Valley State University is seeking a full time Infrastructure Design Engineer in the Information Technology division.

Salary & Benefits:

Minimum starting salary of $80,000, commensurate with experience.

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Position Summary:

This position actively participates in design, implementation, and ongoing support of the university’s network infrastructure across campuses and regional centers. This role ensures the university’s network meets performance, scalability, and reliability requirements while aligning with industry best practices and institutional standards.

In addition to physical network design, this position collaborates to support proper design and maintenance of power, battery backup, cooling and security of the university’s network, datacenters and distributed infrastructure locations.

Primary Duties:

• Design, develop, and optimize structured cabling systems for fiber optic and copper-based networks across campuses, regional centers and other university-operated sites.
• Assist in budgeting, procurement, and planning for network infrastructure projects.
• Support enterprise-wide network components, technologies, and related infrastructure, e.g., Wireless, WAN, LAN, VPN, IP addressing.
• Collaborate to support proper design and maintenance of power, battery backup, cooling and security of the university’s network, datacenters and distributed infrastructure locations.
• Evaluate existing network infrastructure to ensure lifecycle maintenance and replacements is completed and to propose enhancements for improved performance, reliability and scalability.
• Serve as primary technical liaison between Division of Information Technology and Facilities Planning on maintenance, construction and renovation projects.
• Ensure compliance with university standards, procedures and industry best practices, such as BICSI, TIA/EIA, and IEEE for all infrastructure projects. Interface with vendors and suppliers in support of university applications and platforms.
• Collaborate with construction teams, architects, and contractors during construction, renovations, and technology upgrades to ensure network infrastructure needs are met.
• Manage and oversee contractor work related to network infrastructure installations and upgrades.
• Support hands-on deployment and implementation of network projects both in-person and remotely.
• Provide day-to-day support of network and application environments including port configuration and cabling.
• Proactively monitor for and troubleshoot problems with copper/fiber network infrastructure.
• Take ownership of issues from end-to-end to reach a resolution for all appropriate requests and incidents.
• Ensure that all work and changes are performed in such a way as to minimize disruptions to the university community.
• Work ticketing system incident, request, and change management processes as needed.
• Serve as subject matter expert, across multiple technologies, for all areas of responsibility.
• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High school diploma or equivalent AND five (5) years of related work experience.

OR,

• Bachelor’s degree AND three (3) years of related work experience
• Demonstrated experience in network infrastructure design and support.
• Knowledge of fiber optic and copper cabling standards, technologies, and installation best practices.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work through processes, identify and implement process improvements and resolve complex matters.
• Knowledge and understanding of industry trends/new technologies with an ability to apply this to day-to-day work activities.
• Experience working under pressure, multi-task, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Ability to develop and maintain professional and collegial relationships with peers, university partners, end-users, project leadership, etc.
• Must be able to protect and safeguard sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and ensure legal and ethical compliance.
• Strong customer service skills with ability to provide systems expertise and respond to 24 x 7 issues.
• Must be able to work with limited to moderate direct supervision.
• Ability to provide off-hours emergency support and scheduled project-work across evening and weekends as necessary.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Higher education systems and experience driving technical innovation.
• BICSI certification (RCDD or Technician) or equivalent industry certification.
• Demonstrated experience generating, interpreting, and working from complex design plans.

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment. Some travel may be required, and evening and weekend work as needed.  Physical Demands:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

How to Apply:

Attach your cover letter and resume, these documents are required. Applications missing required documents will not be considered. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Jason Kunnen, at kunnenj@gvsu.edu or 616-331-2035. If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu or 616-331-2215.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Application Deadline:

Application review begins April 12. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.