The Information Trust Institute in The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for the Testbed Systems Administrator or Senior Testbed Systems Administrator position. The Information Trust Institute is a world-leading institution with a focus on creating more trustworthy critical infrastructure. It has been a central part of over $200M of innovation in cyber-physical research over the past decade and continues to advance the state of understanding in this field. Beyond academic publication, ITI researchers work on putting their solutions into practice and working to get them deployed in the real world.
At the ITI, we are researching solutions to secure our nation’s critical infrastructure. As part of our team, you could help to strengthen power grid security, help to find formalisms in exploit tactics, provide a means to simulate client server interactions at Internet scale, or provide insights on workforce development.
The Testbed Systems Administrator takes an active role in configuration, administration, monitoring, and maintenance of core infrastructure in the Information Trust Institute (ITI) testbed and operations environments. This includes working with hypervisors, network infrastructure, power utilization, systems and security monitoring, identity management, automation workflows, and other common backend systems operations. The person in this role will work with research systems engineers, research developers, staff, faculty, and students to support program needs that leverage services provided by the ITI testbed. Additionally, they will follow security best practices and formalized processes and procedures to support services, develop tools and, and maintain active systems and services that improve and increase automation and effectiveness of the testbed infrastructure.
Systems and Network Administration
Update and maintain testbed systems and networking environment.
Install and provision bare metal, virtualized, and containerized infrastructure.
Monitor and balance network, power, and security of systems in the testbed systems and participate in the selection of appropriate equipment needed to support the testbed infrastructure.
Leverage, adjust, replace, enhance, and modify testbed systems in real time to support research requirements.
Assume additional system administrator related duties to further ITI’s mission.
Testbed Architecture and Design
Design, develop and implement testbed capabilities and internal network design to align with current and future infrastructure needs and objectives.
Engage students, faculty, and staff to optimize & support research projects leveraging testbed resources.
Research 3rd party tools or develop internal tools to enhance automation workflows for Testbed.
Analyze current testbed use strategies that support enhanced architectures and re-design.
Documentation For Testbed Use
Assist in creating documentation and use training for existing and future ITI testbed environments.
Evaluate vendor specification sheets, work with vendors and recommend equipment configurations that best align with research project needs.
Create documentation, review historical trends and metrics for future improvements, and create reports about system status.
Other duties as assigned
High school diploma or equivalent.
Two (2) years of work experience in IT-related functions such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field. College coursework which includes Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline may be substituted as follows:
30 semester hours equals one (1) year,
Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen (18) months,
90 semester hours equals two (2) years,
Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years).
Experience administering Windows and/or Linux systems in a networked environment.
Experience with computer and network security.
Experience working with virtualization and containerization systems.
Experience in developing and/or administering automated tools for use in a dev-ops environment.
Experience working in an enterprise systems environment that uses centralized identity and access management tools (e.g., Active Directory, LDAP, or similar technologies).
Bachelor’s degree in networking or systems administration related field.
Demonstrated experience managing switches, routers, and VPN appliances.
Experience developing tools using rapid development languages (i.e. python or go).
Experience creating scripts to be used within systems using bash or Powershell.
Experience managing systems for source code control and setting up CI/CD environments.
Experience with setting up and managing monitoring, logging, and alerting systems.
Certification in Network+, Security+, A+, or other information security certifications.
Experience using capture the Flag or other cyber competitions.
Knowledge of critical infrastructure (Operational Technology) systems and associated network design and protocols.
Knowledge of Linux operating systems and common services associated with them.
Ability to communicate effectively and respond appropriately to customer needs.
Strong networking fundamentals and applied knowledge and/or SDN knowledge.
Understanding of, and comfort with, both cyber and physical systems. This may include understanding of small electronics wiring, mechanical processes (e.g., relays, PLCs), Arduino, Raspberry Pi, IoT devices, or electrical test equipment.
Knowledge of emerging technology solutions and ability to apply cutting-edge technology to address ITI goals.
Ability to think through management and workflow of systems of systems in complex environments.
Knowledge of cybersecurity standards, benchmarks, and principles and their operational use.
The Senior Testbed Systems Administrator takes a leadership role in configuration, administration, monitoring, and maintenance of core infrastructure in the Information Trust Institute (ITI) testbed and operations environments. This includes leading the work on hypervisors, network infrastructure, power utilization, systems and security monitoring, identity management, automation workflows, and other common backend systems operations. The person in this role will take the lead on supporting program needs of research systems engineers, research developers, staff, faculty, and students to leverage services provided by the ITI testbed. They will also follow security best practices and formalized processes and procedures to support services, develop tools and, and maintain active systems and services that improve and increase automation and effectiveness of the testbed infrastructure.
Systems and Network Administration
Lead Testbed Systems Administrators on planning and implementation of bare metal server installs, virtualized operations systems, and containerized systems.
Take leadership role in updating and maintaining testbed systems and networking environment.
Monitor and balance network, power, and security of systems in the testbed systems and participate in the selection of appropriate equipment needed to support the testbed infrastructure.
Initiate activities that leverage, adjust, replace, enhance, and modify testbed systems in real time to support research requirements.
Advise on additional system administrator related duties to further ITI’s mission.
Testbed Architecture and Design
Provide leadership and guidance to other testbed systems administrators.
Lead the design, development and implement of testbed capabilities and internal network design to align with current and future infrastructure needs and objectives.
Serve as a senior technical advisor and primary point of contact for students, faculty, and staff to support and research projects leveraging testbed resources.
Orchestrate strategies for researching 3rd party tools or develop internal tools to enhance automation workflows for Testbed and present findings to ITI leadership.
Analyze current testbed use strategies that support enhanced architectures and re-design.
Documentation For Testbed Use
Lead documentation creation, use and training for existing and future ITI testbed environments.
Evaluate vendor specification sheets, work with vendors and recommend equipment configurations that best align with research project needs.
Develop and maintain documentation, review historical trends and metrics for future improvements, and create reports about system status.
Other duties as assigned.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Four (4) years of work experience in IT-related functions such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field. College coursework which includes Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline may be substituted as follows:
30 semester hours equals one (1) year,
Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen (18) months,
90 semester hours equals two (2) years,
Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years).
Experience administering Windows and/or Linux systems in a networked environment.
Experience with computer and network security.
Experience working with virtualization and containerization systems.
Experience in developing and/or administering automated tools for use in a dev-ops environment.
Experience working in an enterprise systems environment that uses centralized identity and access management tools (e.g., Active Directory, LDAP, or similar technologies).
Bachelor’s degree in networking or systems administration related field.
Experience managing switches, routers, and VPN appliances.
Experience developing tools using rapid development languages (i.e. python or go).
Experience creating scripts to be used within systems using bash or Powershell.
Experience managing systems for source code control & setting up CI/CD environments.
Experience with setting up and managing monitoring, logging, and alerting systems.
Certification in Network+, Security+, A+, or other information security certifications.
Experience using capture the Flag or other cyber competitions.
Experience working with Operational Technology Networks.
Distributed source control management experience.
Understanding of, and comfort with, both cyber and physical systems; this may include understanding of small electronics wiring, mechanical processes (pumps, valves, etc.) or electrical test equipment.
Experience working effectively in both a team environment and autonomously in a self-directed and proactive manner.
Experience using emerging technology solutions and cutting-edge technology to address testbed goals.
Knowledge of critical infrastructure (Operational Technology) systems and associated network design and protocols.
Knowledge of Linux operating systems and common services associated with them.
Understanding of, and comfort with, both cyber and physical systems. This may include understanding of small electronics wiring, mechanical processes (e.g., relays, PLCs), Arduino, Raspberry Pi, IoT devices, or electrical test equipment.
Strong networking fundamentals and applied knowledge and/or SDN knowledge.
Ability to communicate effectively and respond appropriately to customer needs.
Interest in emerging technology solutions and ability to apply cutting-edge technology to address ITI goals.
Ability to think through management and workflow of systems of systems in complex environment.
Knowledge of cybersecurity standards, benchmarks, and principles and their operational use.
This is a full-time Civil Service Information Technology Technical Associate position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for the Testbed Systems Administrator position is $60,000 - $72,000. The budgeted salary range for the Senior Testbed Systems Administrator position is $72,000 - $82,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on November 5, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Kelsey Marr at krok2@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1036833 Job Category: Technical Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
