Silicon Florist

The IS Staff Systems Engineer must have in-depth knowledge of Linux and other open source software components to help ensure that NWEA systems are operational and available to both partners and NWEA Staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a “hands-on” contributor, the IS Staff Systems Engineer will be required to "lead by example" while guiding small teams of engineers in designing, deploying and supporting production and non-production environments. This position provides technical leadership in the Linux arena for the entire Information Services group. This position is expected to consistently look beyond the current release with the goal being long-term improvement of solutions, processes, and costs. This position works with and contributes to the overall Linux architecture and technology vision of NWEA as it exists and as it evolves in the future. A heightened sense of quality, partner value and cost is an important part of this position.

Location: Portland, OR

Detailed Description

The IS Staff Systems Engineer must have in-depth knowledge of Linux and other open source software components to help ensure that NWEA systems are operational and available to both partners and NWEA Staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a “hands-on” contributor, the IS Staff Systems Engineer will be required to "lead by example" while guiding small teams of engineers in designing, deploying and supporting production and non-production environments. This position provides technical leadership in the Linux arena for the entire Information Services group. This position is expected to consistently look beyond the current release with the goal being long-term improvement of solutions, processes, and costs. This position works with and contributes to the overall Linux architecture and technology vision of NWEA as it exists and as it evolves in the future. A heightened sense of quality, partner value and cost is an important part of this position.

Responsibilities


· Provide technical leadership to the Linux SE team to ensure best practice is followed in a commercial, production-grade environment

· Provide input to the NWEA Architecture Council for Linux related technologies

· Provide Linux expertise, training and consulting to other teams to ensure that new solutions are built to be scalable, supportable, and affordable. Provide mentoring for other technical staff

Design, create, implement and improve ITIL based process for IS Delivery owned areas including Incident and Problem Management
· Lead daily Linux environment operations and support; delegating day-to-day activities to other engineers as appropriate.

· Analyze, recommend, and implement configuration and hardware changes, implement and advise on best practices from a Linux point-of-view

Keep up to date with new developments in Linux and other open source software components
Act as primary technical liaison for technical service providers
Develop and maintain relationships with other departments to help improve collaboration and quality of solutions and processes.
Resolve issues by effectively communicating and collaborating in team-oriented project situations with development, QA, technical support, product management and project managers.
Analyze product requirements, functional and non-functional, in order to prepare environmental update plans to be executed by other System Engineers and DBAs.
Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of the team and the entire organization

Skills and abilities

Demonstrated strong team leadership and mentoring skills
Ability to solve complex problems and issues
Understanding of and experience with complex, enterprise-grade systems
Ability to think strategically, develop and execute plans to implement the necessary strategies that include technical roadmaps and continual process improvement
Ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience
Ability to bring clarity and make progress in ambiguous or uncertain situations and environments
· Exceptional skills in partnering with clients and staff and in developing and maintaining long term supportive relationships

· Hands-on experience and strong technical background on Linux/Open Source systems, automation and support structures.


Education and experience

Minimum bachelor’s degree required in computer science; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered in lieu of degree
Minimum ten years related experience, with at least six years experience in the following area: Red Hat OS and systems administration (including Apache and Java application servers)
Minimum four years experience providing leadership to technical teams


How To Apply

NWEA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and we do not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status or consideration protected by local, state and federal laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification applies. Equal opportunity applies to hiring, promotion, training, compensation, and any other organizational action. NWEA's written Affirmative Action Plan is available to all employees and job applicants upon request by contacting Careers@nwea.org.