Senior Infrastructure Engineer

The Pirbright Institute

The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.

Organisation position and purpose

The objectives of the Senior Infrastructure Engineer are to manage, support and develop the Institutes Server/Storage/VDI/Archive/Microsoft/VMWare infrastructures. The Senior Infrastructure Engineer will provide input into IT planning and projects, together with responsibility for delivery of a high-quality IT infrastructure to Institute users.

The Senior Infrastructure Engineer is a pivotal member of the IT team and will support the department in delivering an excellent service and infrastructure facilities. The position will perform key duties and report to the infrastructure manager.

Main duties and responsibility

Responsible for the support of IT Infrastructure, which will include:

The following Institute IT infrastructure:

• Complex VMware Server Estate including ESXi hosts, Proxmox, Hyper-V, storage arrays, Omnissa Horizon and VDI system
• Maintaining the Microsoft Server Estate and email system
• Managing cloud services including Microsoft 365, Office 365, Exchange cloud, Azure and Entra services,
• Veeam on-premise and cloud backup services
• Ensure the provision of Microsoft updates to all servers and users via WSUS, SCCM and Intune.
• Ensure the provision of Microsoft updates on BMSNET to clients and servers.
• To ensure that appropriate measures are taken to secure and backup all systems and data; assist to develop and implement any plans, systems and measures necessary to support business continuity.
• Applying patches to all Cisco network infrastructure, ensuring network devices including WIFI are kept up to date, secure and are regularly maintained.  Maintain licences, device support contracts, documentation and network diagrams.
• Building and maintaining relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure our requirements are met and we maintain value for money in the product, support or service that is supplied.
• Responsibility for Ensuring that change management is adhered to at all times and the correct approach is taken when making changes that have potential to disrupt IT services.
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in the IT marketplace and use this knowledge to support the longer-term strategic vision of the IT department.
• To train, assist, support other members of the IT team

Support IT/Institute project delivery, which will include:

• Contribute at a senior level to various IT projects, ensuring that they are delivered to required standards and on time in order to provide high quality IT systems and services
• To provide project support of key Institute projects, working with external suppliers and partners and with relevant Institute colleagues to effect timely and cost-effective project delivery
• To liaise with the Infrastructure Manager concerning the timely delivery of projects and ensuring that accurate reports on project progress are delivered
• To ensure commissioning of new IT systems and services are safe, secure and have appropriate resiliency as determined with the criticality of the system

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.

All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute’s Quality Manager. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health and safety and security by following policies and all employees are responsible for the Health and Safety and security of staff under their management.

Specific requirements

To be considered for this position, we are looking for candidates who have the following skills, qualifications and experience:

Essential

• Previous proven experience within a Microsoft Server environments
• Previous experience of virtualised server environments
• Broad understanding of infrastructure technologies (Active Directory, Exchange Online, MS Server, DHCP, DNS, SCCM/WSUS, M365, Intune, Entra, Azure, Entra Connect sync, Always On VPN, Cyber Security, VMWare, ESXi, vCenter/vSphere, Horizon VDI, VMware Aria, VXRail, Backup and resilience, VEEAM, GPO, SNMP, Scripting, Certificate Management, Administrator password management, SOPHOS, Cisco networking)
• Teams Networking
• Monitoring infrastructure performance, availability and integrity
• Proactively suggest improvements to Infrastructure performance, capacity and scalability.
• Follow Change Control Processes
• Working to high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security and quality and be a great team player
• Ability to operate under pressure, meet tight deadlines and influence decisions
• A consultative approach to all major activities and projects. Including the ability to effectively and accurately document requirements and develop clear execution plans
• Good communicator (Written and oral) with sound facilitation skills that can be related to colleagues of all levels including contractors
• Understanding of operational challenges and dependencies as they relate to infrastructure decisions and following escalation processes
• Maintain technical skills to support advances in IT Infrastructure

Desirable

• Working knowledge of IT Service Management framework and/or ITIL concepts and practices
• History of driving continuous improvement and personal development to meet the technical requirements of future projects
• Provide Firewall administration support, making appropriate policy changes as required by the business
• Highly proficient computing skills and a self-motivator

Due to the nature of the work we do, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

Other requirements

• Willingness to work flexibly and to occasionally work evenings and weekends where exceptional circumstances require it
• On call roster duties may be required

What Pirbright offers you

• A unique opportunity to shape both your research programme and the scientific direction of a world-leading institute.
• Beautiful campus in a semi-rural location with free on-site parking and good transport links.
• Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life assurance (subject to age and earnings).
• Professorial-equivalent appointment (Band H); salary negotiable.
• Permanent position with senior leadership responsibilities.
• Annual consumables budget, access to internal PhD studentships, internships, and seed funding.
• Eligibility for strategic funding for a postdoctoral researcher.
• 25 days annual leave plus public and privilege days, increasing up to 31 days with long service.
• Enhanced Parental package.
• Option to buy and sell annual leave.
• Option to carry over or buy up to two weeks' annual leave.
• Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount website).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Childcare allowance.
• Electric car charging facilities.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change to carry out other duties as may be reasonably required by the line manager and may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing need of The Pirbright Institute.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within one month from closing date of the vacancy, then please contact us on jobs@pirbright.ac.uk for an update.

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