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What does an infrastructure engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Andrea Welker Ph.D.

As an infrastructure engineer, they're responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining the IT infrastructure using the newest technology and ensure all the systems within an organization function seamlessly. They ensure all the IT systems are updated to support the business to function effectively. It is also their job to maintain internet connections, cabling, virtualization platforms, and storage area networks. Moreover, they oversee the IT infrastructure engineer system administration middleware application servers, like Oracle Weblogic server, IBM WebSphere server, and automated workflow tools.

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Infrastructure engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real infrastructure engineer resumes:

  • Manage public and private DNS records and servers.
  • Manage IIs web servers and IBM WebSphere application servers.
  • Manage Netapp FAS2240 NAS device by configuring multiple shares.
  • Work with python Boto3 SDK to automate backups to S3.
  • Lead technical team with major data migration from legacy NetApp storage systems to EMC disk.
  • Achieve VDI system high availability, eliminating single-points of failure to the VDI environment for internal and external VDI connectivity.
  • Maintain and support UNIX and Perl scripts for automation of system monitoring and maintenance procedures.
  • Build Java code on to different Jenkins servers as per the schedule as a DevOps engineer.
  • Maintain infrastructure connectivity for virtual environment and SAN through brocade switches.
  • Develop automation tools to activate and monitor build machines using OS virtualization, software packaging and deployment to integration environment.
  • Deploy InfoBlox for DHCP, DNS and IPAM.
  • Form SQL statements for database queries.
  • Maintain NTFS permissions and DHCP reservations.
  • Implement continuous integration and tracking source code changes using Jenkins.
  • Design and implement path optimize BGP and OSPF routing topologies.

Infrastructure engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Infrastructure Engineers are proficient in Python, Cloud, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Multitasking skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Infrastructure Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Python, 10%

    Developed and integrated custom reporting utilizing python ReST to enable business analysis.

  • Cloud, 8%

    Designed and implemented a unified application portal allowing users to access local-hosted, remote-hosted and cloud based systems.

  • Linux, 8%

    Provide day-to-day technical support for physical and virtual environments supporting both Linux and Windows platforms.

  • AWS, 7%

    Contracted with Pioneer through the Palmer Group for a project to implement ELK stack on an AWS cluster.

  • Java, 6%

    Used Maven as a build tools on java projects for the development of build artifacts on the source code.

  • Azure, 5%

    Azure Operational Insights is an online service allows you to Collect, combine, correlate and visualize all machine data.

Most infrastructure engineers use their skills in "python," "cloud," and "linux" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential infrastructure engineer responsibilities here:

Multitasking skills. One of the key soft skills for an infrastructure engineer to have is multitasking skills. You can see how this relates to what infrastructure engineers do because "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." Additionally, an infrastructure engineer resume shows how infrastructure engineers use multitasking skills: "demonstrated fine dining customer service while multitasking in high-paced restaurant environment. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform infrastructure engineer duties is analytical skills. Infrastructure engineers responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Infrastructure engineers also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "review, evaluate and implement data access security and encryption using microsoft, juniper and safenet technology. "

Communication skills. infrastructure engineers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to infrastructure engineer responsibilities, because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." An infrastructure engineer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "assist with day to day network and telecommunications group tasks, including troubleshooting with cisco switches and checkpoint firewalls. "

Problem-solving skills. infrastructure engineer responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This resume example shows what infrastructure engineers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "solved network issues involving cisco switches such as inappropriate vlan configurations and incorrect duplex settings. "

Most common infrastructure engineer skills

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Compare different infrastructure engineers

Infrastructure engineer vs. Network/server administrator

A Network Administrator ensures an organizations' network is operational and up to date. They solve problems that arise within computer networks, maintaining computer networks, interacting with clients, and consulting with them to determine their system requirements.

If we compare the average infrastructure engineer annual salary with that of a network/server administrator, we find that network/server administrators typically earn a $27,519 lower salary than infrastructure engineers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both infrastructure engineer and network/server administrator positions are skilled in linux, azure, and troubleshoot.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an infrastructure engineer are more likely to require skills like "python," "cloud," "aws," and "java." On the other hand, a job as a network/server administrator requires skills like "customer service," "server administration," "microsoft windows," and "server hardware." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Network/server administrators really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $84,609. Comparatively, infrastructure engineers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $125,060.The education levels that network/server administrators earn slightly differ from infrastructure engineers. In particular, network/server administrators are 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an infrastructure engineer. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Infrastructure engineer vs. Systems administrator

Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.

Systems administrator positions earn lower pay than infrastructure engineer roles. They earn a $29,282 lower salary than infrastructure engineers per year.A few skills overlap for infrastructure engineers and systems administrators. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "linux," "java," and "azure. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real infrastructure engineer resumes. While infrastructure engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "cloud," "aws," and "ruby," systems administrators use skills like "database," "computer system," "microsoft windows," and "system performance."

Systems administrators may earn a lower salary than infrastructure engineers, but systems administrators earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,962. On the other hand, infrastructure engineers receive higher pay in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $125,060.systems administrators earn similar levels of education than infrastructure engineers in general. They're 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for infrastructure engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.Andrea Welker Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Virtual/augmented reality will play an increasingly important role in visualizing designs and interacting with them.

Infrastructure engineer vs. Senior system administrator

A senior system administrator specializes in overseeing the computer system operations in an organization. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around monitoring the performance of all software and hardware, installing servers, configuring systems, and making sure every technical aspect is running smoothly. Should there be any issues, they must take charge of troubleshooting and providing solutions. As someone with more experience, a senior system administrator leads and evaluates the performances of fellow skilled professionals in the department, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

An average senior system administrator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of infrastructure engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to senior system administrators earning a $8,292 lower average salary than infrastructure engineers.infrastructure engineers and senior system administrators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "linux," "java," and "azure," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, infrastructure engineers are more likely to have skills like "python," "cloud," "aws," and "configuration management." But a senior system administrator is more likely to have skills like "system administration," "dod," "microsoft windows," and "citrix."

Senior system administrators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $104,418. Infrastructure engineers earn the highest pay from the retail industry, with an average salary of $125,060.When it comes to education, senior system administrators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to infrastructure engineers. In fact, they're 1.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Infrastructure engineer vs. Storage administrator

A storage administrator is typically in charge of managing and storing company data, ensuring its safety and accuracy. Their responsibilities typically revolve around devising strategies for data storage, developing and installing storage systems and back-ups, identifying errors and inconsistencies, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency and security of storage systems. Furthermore, as a storage administrator, it is essential to produce progress reports and maintain records of all transactions, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Storage administrators typically earn lower pay than infrastructure engineers. On average, storage administrators earn a $14,004 lower salary per year.According to resumes from infrastructure engineers and storage administrators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "linux," "azure," and "troubleshoot. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between infrastructure engineers and storage administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an infrastructure engineer might have more use for skills like "python," "cloud," "aws," and "java." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of storage administrators require skills like "isilon," "vnx," "storage systems," and "manage change. "

In general, storage administrators earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $105,117. The highest-paying industry for an infrastructure engineer is the retail industry.In general, storage administrators hold similar degree levels compared to infrastructure engineers. Storage administrators are 1.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of infrastructure engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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