What is an Infrastructure Engineer?

An Infrastructure Engineer is a unique position that has evolved as the Internet has become mainstream. An Infrastructure Engineer is responsible for designing, coordinating and maintaining the infrastructure of an apartment complex, public facility or entire cities. “Infrastructure” refers to the systems that support a community. This includes road and highway networks, water and sewage, electricity, railways, telecommunications and gas lines. In today’s digital world, an Infrastructure Engineer is prominently an Information Technology position. Instead of networks of roads, today’s Infrastructure Engineer builds and maintains the digital network of their employer or client.

Infrastructure Engineers use their expertise to ensure all of these systems within a community work in unison with each other. Infrastructure Engineers can be employed by public facilities such as hospitals, schools and libraries. They can also be employed by the government at the city, county, state or national level.

The role of Infrastructure Engineer is a white-collar position, with most having a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science or a related field. Their typical work environment is either in the office, or in the field analyzing or working on a system’s Infrastructure

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Infrastructure Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

Infrastructure Engineers perform several duties in their quest to maintain the infrastructure of their employer or client. We read through several Infrastructure Engineer job descriptions to get an idea of what an Infrastructure Engineer does daily. The following is a list of the core duties and responsibilities of an Infrastructure Engineer.

Conduct a Root Cause Analysis of Network Malfunctions

A big part of an Infrastructure Engineer’s job is identifying the cause of issues within their employer or client’s network infrastructure. This requires knowledge of how devices communicate with each other, as well as an understanding of the equipment that makes this communication possible.

Create and Implement Network Repair Strategies

Once a problem is identified, the Infrastructure Engineer devises and implements a repair strategy. They then test these repairs to ensure the issue is fixed completely.

Document Network Malfunctions and Corresponding Actions Taken

It is the responsibility of the Infrastructure Engineer to document all infrastructure issues, as well as the actions taken to address said issues. This requires analytical skills and proficiency with spreadsheets.

Provide Training and Technical Support for Users With Varying Levels of IT Knowledge

The Infrastructure Engineer is responsible for teaching new software or applications to their coworkers. They are also responsible for diagnosing and fixing any technical issues with individual devices on their employer’s network.

Complete Routine Preventative Maintenance of Network Infrastructure

This duty is all about network security. This involves implementing software and operating system updates. It also includes looking for and addressing potential cybersecurity threats.

Infrastructure Engineer Skills

First and foremost, an Infrastructure Engineer must have a deep understanding of the principles of how a network of devices functions. They also have to have a deep knowledge of the hardware involved in this process. With that being said, the skillset of an Infrastructure Engineer isn’t entirely technical. They must also be able to work well with others, especially at larger companies. We used our research of Infrastructure Engineer job descriptions to compile the following list of skills one should possess if they want to build a career as an Infrastructure Engineer.

Core skills The following are the core skills required to find employment as an Infrastructure Engineer.

  • Proficiency with network hardware and technologies
  • Proficiency with shared storage technologies
  • Proficiency with Microsoft operating systems
  • Extensive knowledge of data privacy laws
  • Precise attention to detail
  • Ability to prioritize tasks
  • Advanced organizational skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Ability to work under pressure

Advanced Skills The following skills are not required by most employers, but possessing them will put you at a competitive advantage.

  • Active listening skills
  • Project management skills
  • Presentation skills

Tools of the Trade There are a handful of software tools an Infrastructure Engineer uses to complete their duties. Below are some of those tools.

  • Web platform development software, such as Drupal or Enterprise Javabeans
  • Enterprise resource planning software, such as Infor ERP Baan or Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • Developmental environment software, such as Assembler or Eclipse software
  • Database system management software, such as Alpha Four.
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Infrastructure Engineer Salary

According to online sources, the national median salary for an Infrastructure Engineer is $92,360. Those at the top of the scale make $120,000, while those at the bottom of the scale make $60,000. Those at the bottom of the scale are typically new graduates, while those at the top have several years of experience.

Infrastructure Engineer Resources

Are you ready to begin your journey towards becoming an Infrastructure Engineer? If so, you should start by checking out the list of Infrastructure Engineer resources we’ve compiled during our research for this article.

On the Web
BizTech Magazine

BizTech is an allinclusive resource on the various subcategories within the world of information technology. It is an inspiring resource for someone looking to become an Infrastructure Engineer.

Cisco Small Business Blog

This blog is managed by Cisco, one of the biggest names in information technologyOO. This blog covers how to use information technology to manage and grow a small business, which is helpful for those who end up working for small companies.

DoubleCloud.org

Written by Steve Jin, this blog covers cloud computing, virtualization and software architecture. It is a great read for those looking to work in Infrastructure Engineering.

Books
Technical Impact: Making Your Technology Effective and Keeping it that Way

Written by Al Kuebler, this book is an excellent resource for anyone who works in information technology. Not only does it have tips on effectively using information technology, but it also contains advice on communicating its benefits to nontechnical stakeholders.

Big Data: A Revolution that will Transform how we Live, Work and Think

Written by Viktor Mayer, this book is a fascinating look at how big data has revolutionized the world we live in. It also contains intriguing predictions on the future of big data.

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