Associate Director - IT Infrastructure & Architecture

Associate Director - IT Infrastructure & Architecture About the Opportunity The Associate Director of IT Infrastructure is responsible for supporting the comprehensive computing needs of the ECE department through hands‑on technical expertise and collaboration with faculty and staff. The Associate Director will develop plans to support the ongoing and future computing infrastructure needs of the Department while managing critical teaching laboratories and administrative workflows. The role includes setting up and optimizing business‑related computing frameworks, managing the technical requirements and maintenance of undergraduate teaching laboratories and selected research labs, and creating comprehensive administrative workflows. The Associate Director serves as the primary liaison with the College Computer Center and university IT services and security offices and assists researchers in planning and dimensioning specialized HPC systems, training faculty on procurement processes, ensuring hardware and software meet research needs, and managing IT asset inventory. This position coordinates with university and college resources to support student and faculty needs and projects efficiently, cost‑effectively, and while maintaining security compliance and daily system maintenance. The Associate Director must have proven problem‑solving skills, a can‑do attitude, and the ability to work through challenging situations. Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field Minimum of 3 years of IT infrastructure experience in a research or academic environment Experience with hardware and software support for Mac, PC, and Linux environments Strong knowledge of research computing environments and HPC systems Experience with specialized software including Cadence, TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch, and Siemens EDA Understanding of IT security principles and compliance requirements Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders and manage multiple projects Preferred Experience with educational technology development and web programming LAMP stack design and implementation experience Knowledge of GPU and FPGA cluster management Experience with federal research compliance and security requirements Background in AI/ML computing infrastructure Personal Attributes Must be flexible, enthusiastic, and energized by change Proven problem‑solving skills and a can‑do attitude Ability to work effectively in challenging and dynamic situations Initiative to research and learn new technologies independently Strong customer service orientation for supporting faculty and student needs Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities 1. Teaching Lab Management & Support (25%) Work closely with the Assistant Director for Space and Lab Safety to manage and maintain undergraduate teaching laboratories and computing infrastructure Collaborate with the Assistant Director for Space and Lab Safety and lab technicians on IT infrastructure and architecture‑related tasks for teaching spaces Understand and support teaching lab software including Cadence design tools Provide installation and troubleshooting support for Cadence software tools for faculty, students, and staff Coordinate lab scheduling, maintenance, and upgrades to support curriculum needs in partnership with lab safety oversight Ensure teaching lab systems meet pedagogical requirements and remain current while maintaining safety compliance 2. Faculty Research Support & Procurement Training (20%) Train incoming faculty on hardware procurement processes and university policies Conduct requirement gathering sessions to ensure hardware and software meet research needs Assist in planning and dimensioning specialized HPC systems and research infrastructure Provide technical consultation for grant proposals and equipment specifications Support faculty in navigating university procurement and approval processes 3. Administrative Workflows & Asset Management (15%) Create and implement administrative workflows for IT processes and procedures Manage comprehensive IT asset inventory including hardware, software, and licensing Oversee software licensing compliance and renewal processes Coordinate hardware purchasing and vendor management activities Develop and maintain documentation for all IT processes and systems 4. Security & Compliance Liaison (15%) Serve as primary liaison with the ITS Office of Information Security Coordinate security upgrades, patches, and compliance requirements Ensure research computing environments meet federal security standards Manage security protocols for DoD‑funded and sensitive research projects Implement and maintain departmental cybersecurity best practices 5. AI Initiatives & Strategic Technology (25%) Support departmental AI initiatives and computing infrastructure development Coordinate with AI University, college, and department faculty committees Evaluate emerging technologies and their potential impact on departmental operations Lead technology planning for compute‑intensive research growth areas Collaborate on interdisciplinary AI and ML computing requirements Position Type Information Technology Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Compensation Grade/Pay Type 112S Expected Hiring Range $99,010.00 - $143,567.50 #J-18808-Ljbffr ISACA