Platform Engineer

Job Title

Platform Engineer

Department

Computer and Information Technology Department JM

Worker Type

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Pay Type

Period Activity Pay

Benefit Eligible

No

Job Description Summary

The Platform Engineer is responsible for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of CIT Infrastructure Portal, the department’s Internal Developer Platform (IDP) built on Backstage. This role manages automated infrastructure provisioning systems serving 200+ students across networking and cloud computing courses, integrating enterprise systems (VMware vSphere, Rancher Kubernetes, Jenkins CI/CD) into a unified self-service platform.

Job Description

The Platform Engineer is responsible for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of CIT Infrastructure Portal, the department’s Internal Developer Platform (IDP) built on Backstage. This role manages automated infrastructure provisioning systems serving 200+ students across networking and cloud computing courses, integrating enterprise systems (VMware vSphere, Rancher Kubernetes, Jenkins CI/CD) into a unified self-service platform.

Primary Responsibilities

Platform Development & Maintenance: Maintain and enhance the CIT infrastructure Portal Backstage instance and its 6 custom plugins. Develop new features and plugins based on department and student needs. Debug and resolve issues in production platform affecting student workflows. Implement platform improvements to enhance user experience and reliability. Monitor platform health and performance, addressing issues proactively.

Infrastructure Automation: Manage automated GNS3 VM provisioning system via vSphere API integration. Maintain Kubernetes cluster provisioning automation through Rancher.  Oversee CI/CD pipeline integrations with Jenkins for student projects. Optimize datastore load balancing and resource allocation algorithms. Implement new infrastructure automation workflows as courses evolve.

System Integration & API Development: Maintain integrations with VMware vSphere, Rancher, Jenkins, and other enterprise systems. Develop and enhance RESTful APIs for platform services. Troubleshoot API connectivity and authentication issues. Implement new integrations as department adopts additional tools. Ensure secure communication between platform and external services.

User Management & Security: Administer custom JWT-based authentication system. Manage user accounts, roles, and permissions (students vs admins). Enforce resource quotas and access controls. Monitor authentication logs for security issues. Update security measures as needed (password policies, token expiration, etc.).

Database Administration: Maintain SQLite databases for users, VMs, clusters, deployments, and documentation. Perform database backups and recovery procedures. Optimize queries and indexes for performance. Implement schema migrations as platform evolves. Monitor database health and storage usage.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer: Maintain platform documentation for students and administrators. Create setup guides and troubleshooting documentation. Document new features and workflow changes. Provide training to department staff on platform administration. Keep service catalog updated with current offerings.

Student & Faculty Support: Troubleshoot student issues with VM provisioning and cluster creation. Assist faculty with course-specific infrastructure requirements. Respond to support requests via email/tickets. Provide guidance on platform best practices. Escalate complex infrastructure issues to appropriate teams.

Monitoring & Incident Response: Monitor platform health via admin dashboards and logs. Respond to production incidents affecting student access. Investigate and resolve VM provisioning failures. Track infrastructure metrics (VM count, cluster usage, storage utilization). Implement alerting for critical system failures.

Feature Development & Enhancement: Gather requirements from faculty and students for new features. Design and implement new plugins or enhancements to existing ones.  Conduct testing before deploying changes to production. Coordinate deployments during low-usage windows. Collect feedback post-deployment and iterate.

Infrastructure Planning: Assist with capacity planning for vSphere datastores and compute resources. Recommend infrastructure upgrades based on usage trends. Evaluate new tools and technologies for potential integration. Plan for course enrollment changes affecting resource needs. Collaborate with IT infrastructure team on hardware procurement.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field by date of appointment; Programming and Database education or experience.

Consideration may be given to candidates with:

• Strong proficiency in TypeScript/JavaScript, Node.js, React.
• Backend Development: experience with Express.js, RESTful API design.
• Frontend Development: React, Material-UI, responsive web design.
• Databases: SQL query writing, database design, SQLite or similar.
• Version Control: Git, GitHub workflows.  
• Linux/Unix: Command line proficiency, systemd, shell scripting.
• Previous experience with Backstage platform development.
• VMware vSphere API integration experience.
• Rancher or Kubernetes cluster management.
• Jenkins administration and pipeline development.
• Experience in higher education IT environment.
• Full-stack web application development portfolio.
• Contributions to open-source projects.
• System administration experience (Linux).
• Strong problem-solving and debugging abilities.
• Self-directed with ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Customer service mindset when supporting students and faculty.

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents

Cover letter and resume

Special Instructions (if applicable)

Inquires may be directed to Anthony Rose at [email protected]. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.