Software Systems Engineer II

Center for Distributed Learning:

The Center for Distributed Learning (CDL) serves as the central agent for online learning at UCF, providing leadership in distance learning policies, strategies, and practices. Our teams consist of motivated developers, creators, and dreamers dedicated to exploring new technology to enhance teaching and learning at UCF.

The Opportunity:

UCF is seeking a skilled Software Systems Engineer II for a DevOps-focused engineering role responsible for the reliability, scalability, and security of cloud-based systems supporting instructional and enterprise operations. This position serves as a critical bridge between software development and systems engineering - providing the infrastructure, deployment, and operational services that enable both domains to function cohesively.

Working closely with software developers, systems engineers, and data warehouse specialists, this role will ensure that applications, infrastructure, and data platforms are seamlessly integrated, efficiently deployed, and securely managed. This role emphasizes automation, operational excellence, and data platform reliability within a collaborative, service-oriented engineering environment.

This is an Auxiliary (AUX) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

Responsibilities:

• Develops, modifies, and configures complex software applications, and integrates new system features to support operational and instructional needs.

• Creates and maintains scripts to automate data transfers, critical patch updates and infrastructure-as- code deployments in cloud environments.

• Monitors and oversees infrastructure for instructional and operational applications, including effective and efficient deployment, patching, and updates to maintain system integrity and reduce operational risk.

• Resolves ticket requests and responds to technical issues in a timely manner.

• Maintains and upgrades systems to deliver new features, apply bug fixes, and maintain a secure environment.

• Performs and validates system refreshes using structured troubleshooting methods and root cause analysis.

• Coordinates with software developers and systems engineers to implement and document critical processes, architecture, and service operation procedures ensuring consistency and adoption of industry/departmental best practices.

• Researches and evaluates new hardware, software, database, networking, and third-party applications to improve systems, processes, and pertinent standard operating procedure.

• Provides data and reports on system performance, monitoring, and scaling to support infrastructure budgeting decisions.

• Collaborates with University IT teams to implement institutional cloud infrastructure, information security, and other university policies for CDL's custom existing and new systems.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant experience; or High School Diploma (or equivalent) and 6 years of relevant work experience in lieu of degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or a related technical field.

• Relevant certifications in DevOps and/or cloud engineering.

• Experience with infrastructure as code, automation, and cloud-based environments including tools such as OpenTofu and AWS CDK.

• Experience implementing deployment pipelines and supporting release management processes including tools such as GitHub Actions, CI/CD, AWS CodePipeline, Docker, and other tools.

• Experience working with database technologies such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Aurora, Relational, NoSQL, and graph databases.

• Knowledge of database performance optimization, scalability, and operational reliability practices.

• Experience supporting enterprise or web-based systems in higher education or similarly complex environments.

• Familiarity with system testing, issue tracking tools, and change management practices.

Additional Application Materials Required: 

Please provide your digital portfolio (GitHub repositories, professional website, or similar).

When applying please have a