Systems Engineer - Virtualization & Storage

Systems Engineer - Virtualization & Storage

Department: Technology Services

Location: Columbia, MO

Type: Fulltime

Pay: $54,121 - $75,000 - the anticipated hiring range is commensurate with experience.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Summary:

The Systems Engineer - Virtualization & Storage position contributes to the reliability, security, and performance of the College's enterprise data center infrastructure. Working within a collaborative engineering team, this role supports the lifecycle of server and desktop virtualization, storage, and backup systems. The successful candidate will apply technical expertise to maintain high system availability while partnering with vendors and campus stakeholders to meet evolving institutional needs.

Essential Functions

• Systems Management: Support the full lifecycle-including administration, monitoring, and optimization-of enterprise virtualization and storage platforms like VMware vSphere, VDI, and SAN/NAS solutions.
• Infrastructure Health: Execute critical maintenance tasks such as system patching, upgrades, and performance tuning to ensure optimal capacity and system reliability.
• Data Protection: Facilitate backup and disaster recovery operations, ensuring institutional data integrity through routine testing and validated recovery procedures.
• Project Lifecycle: Contribute to infrastructure initiatives, including platform migrations, hardware refreshes, and technology upgrades, from planning through execution.
• Documentation & Standards: Develop and maintain high-quality technical documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent operational excellence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with networking, cybersecurity, and application teams to deliver integrated and secure institutional services.
• Incident Response: Support organizational resilience by participating in on-call rotations and resolving critical system incidents.

Data Center Facilities Responsibilities

• Ensure the stability of production workloads by monitoring and supporting data center environmental systems, including power distribution and climate control.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for Facilities teams and external vendors during scheduled maintenance, capacity expansions, or emergency repairs.
• Respond to environmental alerts (thermal, power, or leak detection) and execute corrective actions to prevent downtime and protect physical hardware.
• Maintain comprehensive records of physical and logical architectures, including rack elevations, cable management, and system dependencies.

Mission Alignment and Professional Conduct:

• Perform job duties in alignment with Columbia College's vision, mission, and values, actively contributing to the development and success of the Technology Services department.
• Deliver superior customer service, building strong relationships with all college constituencies.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to the college's needs.
• Display respect and civility in all communications, fostering a positive and inclusive campus environment.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance during established hours of operation, with the flexibility to work additional hours as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Position reports to: Senior Director


Required Core Competencies and Professional Experience:

• Ability to fluently read, write, and understand the English language.
• Proficiency with the following but not limited to: active listening; speaking; writing; critical thinking; judgment and decision making; monitoring; reading comprehension; time management; coordination; and management of personnel resources.
• Proficiency in using a variety of computer and technology-related software and equipment, including Microsoft 365 products and database systems.
• Proficiency in using web-based technologies, including database systems.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, with and without direct supervision.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Ability to successfully pass clerical speed and accuracy aptitude tests.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience supporting Windows Server in virtualized environments.
• Foundational knowledge of VMWare ESXi or similar virtualization platforms.
• Foundational knowledge of enterprise storage technologies (SAN/NAS).
• Understanding of data center operations, business continuity, disaster recovery and cyber incident response principles.
• Effective technology troubleshooting, collaboration and resolution skills.

Preferred Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience administering virtualized Windows Server environments.
• Strong working knowledge of VMWare ESXi and enterprise storage platforms.
• Experience supporting multi-site data center architectures that provide business continuity and disaster recovery resilience.
• Familiarity with cloud computing architectures.
• Familiarity with VDI platforms like Omnissa Horizon or similar.

Required Level of Education: Associate Degree In: IT or related field or equivalent combination of education & experience.

Preferred Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree In: IT or related field or equivalent combination of education & experience.

Preferred Professional Certification(s): VMware, Microsoft, or other relevant infrastructure certifications

Other Requirements: Ability to satisfy, within the parameters set by the College and consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

Special Requirements (if any):

• Occasional overnight and out-of-state travel required.
• Must be available for on-call and 24/7 stand-by duties on a rotating schedule.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals seeking accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department without delay. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, talk, and hear. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crawl. Employee must be able to type on a computer keyboard and use a computer monitor on a regular basis.

Work Conditions: The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions; however, possible exposure to hazards and physical risks to personal safety may occur while operating certain equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild.

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive of every duty and responsibility required by the employee in the position.

Eligibility for employee benefits and perks is determined by employment status. For more information please see .

The offer of employment and assignment to duties is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check. The information may include, but is not limited to, academic, residential, achievement, performance, attendance, disciplinary, employment history, credit history, driving history, and criminal history of public record.

Columbia College is an equal opportunity employer.

Columbia College is committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability. The college maintains a safe place for open discourse and overall, fosters a sense of community that welcomes everyone.

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) and the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), the Department of Campus Safety for Columbia College has provided the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and crime statistics for the main campus and venues nationwide.

Columbia College is required to distribute this information to all current and prospective employees and students. Please follow the link below for the full report or contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io for a printed copy.