"Research Cloud Solutions Designer"

Posted: 15-Jan-26

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 272701

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Competitive salary available based on qualifications, experience and education of the selected candidate.

The Advanced Research Computing (ARC) organization within Information Technology Services (ITS) in conjunction with the Social Media Archive (SOMAR) in the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) has an exciting opportunity to employ a Research Cloud Solutions Designer.

This position will report to the Research Computing Manager within ARC and will be responsible for building, operating, and supporting secure enclaves for sensitive data research in AWS. The successful candidate will be able to create software-defined solutions for data analytics, restricted data research, and other cases that can benefit from enclave technology. They will also be able to integrate existing institutional Windows and Linux support resources into automated recipes for secure enclaves.

This position will serve as a technical resource within a team that continues to design and operate our public cloud infrastructure. The successful candidate will have the ability to act on specific project initiatives and provide expertise, guidance, and strong collaboration to various team members. This role will be dynamic, enabling the building and support of new and innovative systems to meet faculty needs.

For more information on ARC, visit: https://arc.umich.edu/

As a Research Cloud Solutions Designer for the Advanced Research Computing at the University of Michigan, your position's key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Build, update, modify, and support Windows Virtual Desktops and Servers in the ARC Public Secure Enclave Services using cloud-init and other accepted Microsoft support tools.
• Build, update, modify, and support Linux Virtual Desktops and Servers in the ARC Public Secure Enclave Services (SES) using Ansible.
• Install and update research software on request for any of the supported Virtual Desktops and Servers on the service.
• Design, build, update, and support a repeatable process for creating new Virtual Desktops and Servers for both Linux and Windows, with data security at the forefront.
• Update and support an automated, repeatable process for deploying the enclave infrastructure for new faculty enclaves in conjunction with other members of the ARC Cloud Team.
• Responsible for reviewing security scans for SES networks and remediating any issues listed in the scans.
• Meeting with faculty to find appropriate solutions for their research problems in the secure enclave service.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships both with other ARC-TS members and affiliates to advance and support computational research around the University.
• Acts as a representative of ARC in relevant campus groups, forums, communities, and discussions. Provide updates and advice to the team on relevant initiatives, staying informed about the latest trends in scientific hardware and application technology.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related role requiring confidentiality, timeliness, customer service, organization, prioritization, troubleshooting, analysis, problem solving, and the ability to work independently
• Strong understanding of Windows Desktop and Server deployments, including VDI, Windows SCCM, creating and maintaining Group Policy Objects, and working with Active Directory objects in a shared environment.
• Strong understanding of Linux Desktop and Server deployments, including Kickstart/Preconfig, and Ansible or other automated deployment mechanisms.
• Familiarity with operating environments with sensitive, and/or regulated data, including CUI, FERPA, HIPAA, and others.
• Experience with networking concepts like network-based firewalls, NAT, and subnetting in a virtual environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in creatively improving workflows and processes, using analytical & troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to manage priorities in the face of multiple requests and projects.
• Ability to self-direct as well as participate in a larger distributed support structure.
• Willingness to work in a multi-OS environment, including Linux, Windows, and potentially others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with OpenStack, CloudStack, VMWare, or other private cloud offerings.
• Advanced degree in an engineering or science-related field.
• Understanding of Cloud-Init and common design patterns for deploying applications in clouds.
• Familiarity with AWS API's.
• Experience providing IT support in an academic environment.

Additional Information:

• May require on-call availability and working outside of business hours, including weekends.
• Punctual, regular, and consistent attendance is required.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.