"Core Services Engineer"

Position Purpose:

University Technology Services, the central IT organization of Oakland University, is seeking a Core Services Engineer to perform technology tasks. The Core Services Engineer is responsible for the administration, maintenance, and optimization of the organization's core infrastructure and collaboration platforms—with a primary focus on Google Workspace and supporting responsibilities for Microsoft 365 and cloud identity services – Microsoft Entra ID. This position ensures secure, reliable, and efficient delivery of essential IT services while driving automation, standardization, and continuous improvement. The Core Services Engineer collaborates across IT teams to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and ensure seamless integration between Google and Microsoft ecosystems. The role requires a deep understanding of email services, including troubleshooting, configuration, and optimization to support institutional communication needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for Google Workspace, including Gmail, Drive, Shared Drives, Groups, and collaboration tools.
• Provide secondary support for Microsoft 365 environments, including OneDrive, Teams, and Defender, ensuring interoperability between Google and Microsoft platforms.
• Manage and optimize Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) for identity lifecycle management, conditional access, MFA, and SSO integrations.
• Administer and maintain email systems, with deep expertise in configuration, troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and delivering reliable messaging services.
• Oversee the reliability, performance, and security of core infrastructure and identity services across hybrid cloud environments.
• Perform routine system maintenance, including software updates, server patching, and hardware upgrades to maintain system security and compliance.
• Identify opportunities to automate deployment, configuration, and monitoring of core systems to improve operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain scripts, policies, and workflows for automation and configuration management.
• Manage enterprise-wide patching and update processes, coordinating communications to minimize downtime and user disruption.
• Participate in system migrations, integrations, and modernization initiatives involving cloud and collaboration platforms.
• Collaborate with IT leadership and functional stakeholders to align infrastructure capabilities with institutional goals and service standards.

The best things about this position are:

• The teamwork; you are a member of a talented team.
• The ability to learn and grow professionally. We provide many opportunities to continue to advance your knowledge and professional skills.
• Your work matters to the students, faculty, and employees at the University.
• The University offers an attractive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, flexible work schedules, paid vacation, wellness programs, friendly campus events, and generous retirement contributions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in IT systems administration, enterprise collaboration services, and infrastructure engineering.
• Advanced administration and troubleshooting experience with Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Groups).
• Working knowledge and support experience with Microsoft 365 (Teams, OneDrive, Defender).
• Deep understanding of email services, including configuration, routing, troubleshooting, security, and performance optimization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Entra ID for identity and access management, including MFA, SSO, and conditional access policies.
• Strong scripting and automation skills.
• Proficiency in key technical skills, including server patching, update processes, monitoring, and management of core services.
• Understanding of networking fundamentals, DNS, certificates, and cloud-based security practices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with a customer-focused mindset.
• Analytical thinker with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and enhancing the user experience through technology.
• Ability to work independently as a contributing team member and routinely update directors on results.
• Ability to contribute to group projects and work collaboratively as a member of a strong technical team.
• Ability to travel once or twice a year for education, professional development, or conferences.
• Willingness to earn industry certifications.
• Flexibility in work schedule; willingness to work hours on Wednesdays between midnight and 8 A.M. for system and application maintenance or other days and hours as needed to maintain the security and integrity of servers and equipment.
• Must live in the state of Michigan.
• If working remote then must be available to arrive at campus within 1 to 1.5 hours, if requested by their supervisor.
• Work sample should include a document you have created for anything related to instructions or documentation.
• Work Location: Primarily on-campus. Hybrid work from home options may be available following supervisor approval, work performance, and adherence to university policies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in computer science, information systems, or a closely related field.
• Experience in higher education IT environments is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure services such as automation, monitoring, and cloud resource management.
• Familiarity with AWS (EC2, S3) and general cloud operations.
• Experience with virtualization and container solutions (VMware, Kubernetes, Docker).