Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Systems Engineering

Systems Engineers design, implement, and maintain IT infrastructure by analyzing system requirements, consulting with stakeholders, and synthesizing business requirements; combine customer needs with the right technology to engineer solutions; analyze, develop, modify, and test systems; provide ongoing high level technical support; monitor overall performance to proactively identify potential issues and tune appropriately; perform root cause analysis on failed components and implement corrective measures; collaborate with others to establish and improve processes and procedures.

• Provide expertise on application, design, and operation of infrastructure to support the needs of systems and applications; collaborate in defining architectural strategy
• Provide input to leadership across enterprise solutions and participate in development of long-term strategic technology direction; assist colleagues and by extension, researchers, and business units to assess current problems, define desired future state, define solution architecture, and make solution recommendations
• Demonstrate knowledge in primary areas of responsibility to include operations systems, protocols, monitoring and managing system resources, system backup/recovery procedures, capacity planning, troubleshooting, and diagnosing problems, general security, and compliance of IT security policies
• Develop the core technical platform, capabilities, and services that support business processes
• Identify key technology interactions and dependencies across systems/platforms impacting the University’s ability to achieve integration, compatibility, and performance targets
• Leverage standards and best practices to develop architectures, frameworks, and strategies that meet University business requirements, deliver value, and scale; balance innovation, risk, and cost
• Evaluate existing and emerging technologies to best fit business and project needs
• Develop processes and practices for design, maintenance, and operations of systems to ensure consistent and reliable operation to meet business needs
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 14
• Minimum – $97,100.00
• MidPoint – $121,400.00
• Maximum – $145,700.00