Staff IT Engineer

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary

• We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff IT Engineer to join our global IT Infrastructure team. This role is pivotal in driving and supporting enterprise-level services, including storage, servers, hybrid cloud infrastructure, automation, and virtualization. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic mindset, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that our infrastructure meets the highest standards of efficiency, security, reliability, and compliance.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Automation & Infrastructure Operations: Lead and co-lead initiatives focused on automating infrastructure tasks using advanced scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python, Terraform, or other Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools. Drive automation projects and Infrastructure Operations that enhance the efficiency and reliability of enterprise servers (e.g. Windows Server/Hardware), block and file storage systems, etc.
• Virtualization & Cloud Management: Design, implement, and manage the operations and optimization of virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware) and cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure). Ensure seamless integration and operation across hybrid cloud infrastructures.
• Service-Level Troubleshooting: Provide expert-level troubleshooting and resolution of complex technical issues, particularly in high-stakes environments. Participate in a 24/7 On-Call rotation to ensure service continuity and quick incident resolution, collaborating with vendors as necessary.
• Compliance & Change Management: Ensure all infrastructure operations comply with relevant industry standards and regulations, including SOX, HIPAA, and FDA. Implement and enforce change management processes to maintain the integrity and security of IT systems.
• Collaboration & Mentorship: Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to drive projects to successful completion. Mentor junior engineers, promoting knowledge sharing and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Establish and maintain comprehensive documentation for all managed services. Develop knowledge-sharing strategies that empower the team and improve service delivery.
• Strategic Leadership: Take initiative in developing and implementing strategic and tactical plans for infrastructure enhancements. Identify potential risks and propose solutions to mitigate them effectively.
  
  

Requirements

• Extensive experience in managing enterprise IT infrastructure, including virtualization (VMware), Windows Server environments (Linux a plus), and cloud platforms (AWS and/or Azure),
• Proven experience in managing and optimizing storage solutions from Dell, HPE, and Pure Storage, as well as blade & rackmount server hardware from HPE, ensuring high performance and reliability across enterprise environments.
• In-depth understanding of networking concepts and IT concepts, including DNS, IP Addressing (DHCP/Static), network routing and switching, LDAP/LDAPs, SMTP, LAN/WAN, SDWAN, Network Load Balancing, and firewall security devices.
• Experience with deploying and managing AI infrastructure, including hardware, software, and cloud hyperscaler services optimized for AI workloads, to support machine learning, data processing, and other AI-driven initiatives.
• Advance proficiency in scripting and automation using tools like Ansible, RunDeck, GitHub, PowerShell, Python, and Terraform is essential.
• Involvement in managing relationships with hardware and software vendors, including negotiating contracts and ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity planning and execution of strategy to ensure infrastructure resilience.
• Ability to manage and optimize IT infrastructure costs, including budgeting and forecasting for hardware, software, and cloud services.
• Expertise in creating clear and comprehensive technical documentation/diagrams in Atlassian Confluence, along with the ability to prepare detailed reports and presentations for stakeholders and leadership. Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-friendly language.
• Experience with Agile methodologies, DevOps practices, and continuous integration environments.
• Proven track record of working in highly regulated environments with a deep understanding of compliance standards such as SOX, HIPAA, and FDA.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, take initiative, and drive innovation within a global IT team. Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.
• Proficiency in managing data center environments, including hardware installation, cabling, power and cooling systems, and maintenance, ensuring optimal performance and uptime.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. Experience in working collaboratively across global teams.
• Experience in deploying and managing infrastructure monitoring tools such as Grafana, ensuring system health, performance, and proactive issue resolution.
• Adept at using IT service management tools such as ServiceNow and/or Jira with experience working within an ITIL-aligned organization.
• Exposure to cybersecurity best practices, including implementing and managing security protocols, conducting risk-based assessments, and ensuring compliance with information security standards
• Comfortable participating in a 24/7 On-Call rotation as part of a follow-the-sun support model, ensuring prompt and effective response to critical incidents and emergencies across global time zones.
  
  

Preferred Experience/Education/Skills

• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Ability to align IT strategies with business goals and effectively communicate the impact/value of technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders.
• A track record of working effectively in diverse, global teams and adapting to different corporate cultures and environments.
• Currently holding or actively pursuing certifications for VMware Certified Professional (VCP) Data Center Virtualization, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, Azure Solution Architect, or Azure Administrator certification, and/or AWS Solutions Architect.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office 365 products, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook, for documentation, reporting, and creating presentations for stakeholders and leadership.
• Experience in using code editors such as Microsoft VS Code.
• Familiarity managing Microsoft licensing, including understanding and optimizing allocations and agreements, to ensure compliancy and cost-effectiveness is a plus.
  
  

Illumina believes that everyone has the ability to make an impact, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information.