What does an infrastructure systems engineer do?
Infrastructure systems engineers are information technology (IT) professionals who design, coordinate, and maintain the IT infrastructure using the latest technology to ensure all the IT systems of an organization are functioning efficiently. These engineers are required to improve collaboration and work sharing by implementing a cloud-backed file system. They must train and mentor other employees about the system functionality and perform troubleshoot when issues arise in the system. Infrastructure systems engineers must also eliminate interruptions for wireless users during upgrades by installing disaster recovery servers.
Infrastructure systems engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real infrastructure systems engineer resumes:
- Create Powershell processes to manage infrastructure.
- Help support and manage a large host virtualization environment.
- Coordinate FileNet and EMC system configuration changes, manage disk storage consumption, allocate/mask storage, and document system configurations/changes.
- Configure and add EMC SAN disks to Linux hosts running RHEL.
- Implement VLANs, DHCP server, DNS configuration, NAT/PAT in a small network environment.
- Maintain DNS entries for customer facing applications.
- Support immediate team members with virtualization (i.e.
- Install, support and troubleshoot wireless network routers and devices.
- Help dev teams identifying possible containerize applications in the AWS environment.
- Install and set up Cisco routers and switches per deployment plans.
- Install and maintain network switches, routers, and cabling throughout hotel.
- Design and administrate server consolidation program through VMware down to 10 key systems.
- Engage, execute, and document cloud migrations, system deployments, and upgrades.
- Install wireless routers, OS, cabling and termination, connectivity to switch rooms.
- Create CGI scripts in Perl for the market support team to monitor and to maintain trading activities.
Infrastructure systems engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Infrastructure Systems Engineers are proficient in Cloud, Linux, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Multitasking skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Infrastructure Systems Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cloud, 9%
Supported customer co-location and Cloud hosted services.
- Linux, 7%
Served as Systems Administrator for Red Hat Enterprise Linux / CentOS operating systems and server hardware.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Diagnose and troubleshoot Network related Computing problems.
- Java, 6%
Provided Java development support for maintaining applications used to transform data and provide manual review capability on this data.
- Azure, 6%
Deployed virtual and physical SAN-based clustered server solutions, leveraging HP Intelligent Provisioning, VMware, and Azure.
- AWS, 5%
Migrated Servers to AWS to reduce physical servers at our Data Center.
Common skills that an infrastructure systems engineer uses to do their job include "cloud," "linux," and "troubleshoot." You can find details on the most important infrastructure systems engineer responsibilities below.
Multitasking skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an infrastructure systems engineer to have is multitasking skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." Infrastructure systems engineers often use multitasking skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "refined skills in multitasking and customer service. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform infrastructure systems engineer duties is analytical skills. Infrastructure systems 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 systems engineers also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "coordinate power/rack/server installations/staging and application data moves over high speed wan between datacenters. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of infrastructure systems engineers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday infrastructure systems engineer duties, as "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "managed and troubleshoot t-1 circuit issues with vendors and telecommunication firms as well manage firewall and monitor bandwidth utilization. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain infrastructure systems engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of an infrastructure systems engineer rely on this skill, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what infrastructure systems engineers do: "virtualized email encryption/decryption (voltage system) solution with ha solution. "
The three companies that hire the most infrastructure systems engineers are:
- Eurofins8 infrastructure systems engineers jobs
- Bank of America7 infrastructure systems engineers jobs
- Raytheon Technologies6 infrastructure systems engineers jobs
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Infrastructure systems engineer vs. Systems support
A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, infrastructure systems engineer responsibilities require skills like "cloud," "azure," "aws," and "powershell." Meanwhile a typical systems support has skills in areas such as "customer service," "provides technical support," "end user support," and "technical troubleshooting." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Systems supports tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $72,760. In contrast, infrastructure systems engineers make the biggest average salary, $126,973, in the insurance industry.The education levels that systems supports earn slightly differ from infrastructure systems engineers. In particular, systems supports are 7.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an infrastructure systems engineer. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Infrastructure systems engineer vs. Systems analyst
A systems analyst is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of technology systems and analyzing its efficiency for business operations and clients' needs. Systems analysts create specific modifications to operating systems and help design solutions and processes. Other tasks include managing the system's workflow, diagnosing and detecting malfunctions, performing troubleshooting, and assisting clients' with their concerns. A systems analyst must have excellent command with programming languages and the knowledge with the technology industry to understand systems' complexities and processes.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, infrastructure systems engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cloud," "azure," "aws," and "powershell." Meanwhile, a systems analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "c++," "c #," and "data analysis." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Systems analysts may earn a lower salary than infrastructure systems engineers, but systems analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $86,904. On the other hand, infrastructure systems engineers receive higher pay in the insurance industry, where they earn an average salary of $126,973.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Systems analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than infrastructure systems engineers. In fact, they're 1.0% 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 systems engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Infrastructure systems engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an infrastructure systems engineer is likely to be skilled in "powershell," "sql," "dhcp," and "san," while a typical engineer is skilled in "python," "c++," "c #," and "javascript."
Engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $97,672. On the other hand, infrastructure systems engineers are paid the highest salary in the insurance industry, with average annual pay of $126,973.engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to infrastructure systems engineers. Specifically, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Infrastructure systems 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between infrastructure systems engineers and systems administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an infrastructure systems engineer might have more use for skills like "cloud," "aws," "sql," and "vmware." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of systems administrators require skills like "database," "computer system," "sql server," and "system performance. "
In general, systems administrators earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,962. The highest-paying industry for an infrastructure systems engineer is the insurance industry.systems administrators reach lower levels of education compared to infrastructure systems engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 6.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of infrastructure systems engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











