This seasoned role involves managing the technical systems infrastructure, including hardware, operating systems, and network management. The Systems Administrator independently defines, designs, and implements system services and technology solutions, and proposes enhancements. The position supports a large, complex, and heterogeneous computing environment within the College of Engineering, ensuring high uptime for all services and systems.
Responsibilities
Independently perform the full range of responsibilities and possess broad job knowledge and in-depth understanding of systems administration
Define, design, and implement systems services and technology solutions
Propose and implement systems enhancements such as software, hardware, network configuration, updates, and installations for projects and complex services
Evaluate new technologies, providing cost/benefit analyses and making recommendations
Write complex scripts
Design, deploy, and manage complex services used by other technical professionals in the College
Give presentations of services provided and consult/mentor college professionals on how to best utilize the service provided
Support central College of Engineering Infrastructure, Instructional computing design, programming, and support
Support departmental computer systems and networks, including web-based systems administration and internal/external technical documentation
Support over 400 desktop systems, 300 instructional lab systems, 75 virtual machines, 15 collegewide servers, and 6,000 LDAP accounts across 8+ buildings, the off-campus OASIS building, and multiple trailers
Design, program, implement, administer, support, and enhance services/systems used by college constituencies
Diagnose/analyze hardware, software, security, and network problems, and perform maintenance
Support client and server hardware and software
Install and configure desktop and server operating systems (All versions of Linux, Windows, OS X)
Write scripts to perform system maintenance, administration, and configuration
Provide server support for centralized infrastructure services
Maintain current knowledge of and act as support for all production and research systems managed by ECI
Ensure the highest possible level of uptime for all services and systems
Evaluate, install, modify, and support operating systems, databases, utilities, and web-related tools
Implement system rollouts
Perform advanced networking tasks to interconnect servers and workstations
Maintain understanding of client network, server, and application trends, and analyze their application to the College's research, instruction, and administrative functions
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Lead, design, train, and work on projects designed to implement and enhance the services offered by the technical support group
Design, run, and manage complex services, servers, databases, and web-based administration that centrally support multiple departments and technical staff throughout the college such as FileMaker Server, Scientific Software requiring customization, license servers, FOG imaging server for over 400 systems, Mac deployment JAMF servers that support 100+ desktop systems for staff, faculty, and researchers assuring security and updates
Administer Drupal containers, Pantheon, and site development with emphasis on web security protocols
Oversee the design, implementation, and operation of JAMF Pro in support of all Apple-based endpoints used by multiple departments in the College
Ensure proper JAMF Pro integration for compliance and reporting purposes
Automate aspects of the device lifecycle including deploying and maintaining software, responding to security threats, distributing policies and settings along with analyzing resulting data leveraging automation
Install, configure, and manage centralized application/service monitoring, logging, and analysis tools for desktop systems
Provide training and technical assistance to other system administrators and application owners on monitoring, logging, and analysis
Ensure timely and appropriate alerting based on monitoring of both on-premise, SaaS, and Cloud hosted services
Envision new monitoring collections in response to ever-changing applications and Infrastructure services
Review best practices for security of JAMF Pro services and provide provisioning and distributed management of security access to JAMF
Perform complex security control activities to prevent unauthorized access to networked resources
Coordinate security incidents and implement remediation
Leverage automation, logging, and monitoring systems to improve system security posture
Provide user management including configuring new accounts, password resets, and troubleshooting user login, profile, and permission issues
Routinely review incidents, identifying problems and addressing them to resolution
Research, design, and deploy new/upgraded IT services and prioritize departmental IT resources to meet functional goals of the College
Meet directly with faculty and Staff on planning project specifications
Perform upgrades to JAMF Pro servers, manage agents, OS patching, and 3rd party software
Package 3rd party software, test policies, image Mac endpoints with autopilot, configure MDM, and deploy JAMF connect
Create, deploy, and manage Mac images, software packages, and system policies via JAMF
Possess support and configuration knowledge in an enterprise environment of other Macintosh related applications such as Microsoft Office and Adobe products, including methods of packaging volume-licensed applications for deployment and repackaging non-PKG installers
Maintain standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and documentation on an ongoing basis
Implement, administer, support, and enhance critical account services used by a large group of College of Engineering constituencies
Administer Linux environments such as Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS and be proficient in tasks such as shell scripting (Bash) and programming (Python/Perl), troubleshooting file and directory permissions, analyzing log files, managing user accounts and groups, resource and security monitoring using PHPLDAPAdmin, and SSH terminal command line troubleshooting
Interact with faculty across the College to control access to servers, file sharing, and other services
Document and automate routine account related tasks
Provide resolution to a diverse range of complex problems, requiring analysis and judgment to develop alternative solutions
Define, design, and implement Linux server configuration management (e.g., Ansible)
Install, configure, and maintain workstation and server operating systems including all versions of Linux, Windows, and OS X in support of research and instruction with the use of version control such as Subversion (SVN), Git repository management, Linux kickstarts, and pxe booting
Design, program, deploy, and manage hundreds of hosts using the Ansible automation programming language
Independently program roles that can be used in an automated format to design, build, and maintain all of the College of Engineering resources
Design custom builds for new instructional Linux and windows hosts by creating an automated kickstart so that multiple machines can be built at once
Manage security software and monitoring systems for multiple departments
Assist with execution of security controls to prevent unauthorized access to networked resources
Administer security policies to control system access
Configure system security to meet specific needs such as Sophos, Nagios, Nessus, Fireye, and Splunk
Independently monitor, detect, protect, repair, and maintain the security of data, systems, and networks
Independently assess a vulnerability and design a solution that can be deployed across hundreds of hosts and servers
Act independently to track down issues and resolve vulnerabilities when dealing with cipher issues, high and critical severity vulnerabilities
Independently write complex scripts/programs using configuration management tools to manage over 400 lab systems and research computers
Write and execute moderately complex scripts/programs in support of systems management, Accounts, log analysis, and other system administration duties for multiple user accounts, systems maintenance, administration, and configuration (e.g., Bash, Python, Perl, PHP)
Deploy and manage servers, hosts, and software containers using Proxmox Virtualization and consolidation platform in a complex networked environment
Design, build, and deploy virtualized servers and hosts in support of instruction, research, and central college services
Use Proxmox to dynamically scale computing and storage as needs grow
Support design, installation, and maintenance of Linux research labs for supported departments
Support workstations that are attached to complicated research equipment
Control user access to research clusters
Keep accurate technical documentation for public and internal use
Develop documentation for both end users and technical staff and ensure that existing documentation is up-to-date
Participate in the development of written policies and procedures for technical operations
Install, configure, and maintain network devices including printers, switches, hubs, network wiring, communication cabinets, etc. using DNS, DHCP, and networking tracking devices
Build and maintain various computer and network hardware
Act as initial support for college faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, researchers, and guests
Answer requests using the web-based ticketing system, remote desktop via Zoom, walkup, and phone requests
Troubleshoot and repair issues providing in-person support for Windows, Linux (Fedora/CentOS/Ubuntu), Mac computers, NFS Accounts, Samba shares, custom database applications, printers, productivity and other software, power supplies, monitors, hard disks, network interface cards, scanners, and other equipment
Implement system enhancements, such as software, hardware, and network configuration, updates, and installations for projects and college-wide services
Independently diagnose and analyze hardware, software, security, and network problems
Install, configure, and maintain supported software (e.g., MS Office, FileMaker Pro, MATLAB, Mathematica, Solidworks, campus connections, backup software)
Troubleshoot complex audio-visual equipment and connections to provide support for conferences, meetings, and events
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering or related field
4-6 years of demonstrated experience writing and editing scripts of moderate complexity used to perform system maintenance and administration
Willingness to continue technical skill development through independent and/or formal education
Satisfactory criminal history background check
Valid driver's license and a driving record that is in accordance with local policies and procedures, and/or enrollment in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
Nice to have:
Ability to elicit and communicate technical and non-technical information in a clear and concise manner
Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team
Demonstrated problem-solving skills
Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines
Basic knowledge of how to apply technologies and systems to meet business needs
Ability to write technical documentation in a clear and concise manner
Understanding of system performance monitoring and actions that can be taken to improve or correct performance
Knowledge of the design, development, and application of technology and systems to meet business needs
General knowledge of other areas of information technology
Demonstrated understanding of how system management actions affect users and dependent/related functions
Demonstrated knowledge of computer security best practices and policies
Benefits
Excellent retirement and health benefits
Important Details
Schedule: Mon-Fri; 8am-5pm, plus some after-hours work
Application review begins: November 2, 2026
Work format: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)
Application Process
Include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application
About the Company
The Engineering Computing Infrastructure (ECI) unit provides a broad range of Information Technology services, instructional technologies/facilities, and technical support services to all departments and research units in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The College comprises seven academic departments and hosts a large number of research centers, institutes, and academic programs.
