Data Integration and Automation Engineer (HR Title: Systems Administrator II)

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

Southern Methodist University is seeking a Data Integration and Automation Engineer. This role provides infrastructure, application, and data integration support for SMU enterprise server and cloud systems, with a strong focus on automation, ETL development, and cross-platform data workflows. Responsibilities include designing and maintaining SSIS packages, building hybrid data pipelines, automating server and application deployments, and supporting database-connected web applications. The position also involves performance troubleshooting, documentation and training of technical procedures, and leading complex integration projects. Strong communication skills are essential for working with stakeholders across the university. Advanced knowledge of operating systems, enterprise applications, and reporting on complex data structures is required.

Position may require night and weekend work as needed for system changes.

Essential Functions:

• Automation and Integration Engineering: Design, develop, and maintain automated workflows and ETL pipelines using SSIS and other tools like n8n. Leverage server automation technologies to reduce manual processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Hybrid Data Flow Development: Build and support data integration flows between server-based and cloud-based systems, ensuring reliable, secure, and timely data exchange.
• Application Support: Configure and troubleshoot database-connected web applications running on Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS).

• System Deployment: Plan, deploy, and administer complex technical server-based and cloud-based systems and applications in the SMU environment.

• 
  Project Leadership: Manage complex projects with enterprise scope independently, coordinating across technical and non-technical teams.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate effectively with customers, manage expectations, and translate technical concepts into actionable insights.
• Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to peers and junior administrators.
• Other duties as necessary.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s is required.

A minimum of 3 years of experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expertise in ETL development using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) or n8n, including complex data transformations from diverse source systems.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation using current technologies to streamline and standardize server and application processes.
• Familiarity with Microsoft SQL Server and SQL queries generally is expected.
• Strong understanding of Windows Server environments and application hosting.
• Ability to solve complex, multi-disciplinary technical problems through modular, sequential approaches.
• Experience with service design, documentation, implementation, and operation in enterprise environments.
• Ability to present technical recommendations visually and influence decision-making through effective data visualization.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Willingness to learn new technologies through formal training or on-the-job development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting campus or metropolitan network infrastructure
• Exposure to Microsoft IIS
• Familiarity with hardening techniques for Windows and database environments

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

November 26, 2025.

Priority consideration will be given to those who apply by November 19, 2025.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.