5 Types of Infrastructure Engineers Your Business May Need

In the modern business world, businesses need to have a robust, scalable, and efficient IT infrastructure to deliver integrated services that support the physical resources, processes, and operators need to develop, integrate, operate, and maintain IT applications and support services. 

Infrastructure engineering is a branch of engineering as it uses the principles of science and mathematics to design and develop the structures required to perform certain processes. Infrastructure engineering in the IT world includes working with network connections, cabling, and storage area networks. Infrastructure engineers work to ensure all systems within a business function optimally and seamlessly.

The Role of an Infrastructure Engineer

Infrastructure engineers require a very specific range of skills and knowledge to be able to design, build, deploy and maintain IT infrastructures using the latest technology.

The Job Description of an Infrastructure Engineer 

An IT infrastructure engineer develops and maintains the hardware and software elements of a business’s IT network. With the growing omnipresence of computer and internet technology in all aspects of life, these engineers can be found in any business in almost any industry. They usually work regular business hours either remotely or in an office environment.

IT infrastructure engineers typically work with the following tools and frameworks: 

• Cloud Infrastructure. Today, many businesses host their infrastructure in the cloud. This is because it is often much more affordable and easier to make infrastructure changes. A cloud infrastructure engineer works with cloud platforms such as Azure and AWS to make cloud infrastructure development simpler.

• Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) Systems. CI and CD systems enable engineers to efficiently and effectively work together on a software project. These systems automate some of the essential steps in projects, including running unit tests, building the image, and launching the app. Some of the most popular tools engineers use for CI and CD systems include Jenkins, Travis CI, Buildkite, and Circle CI.

• Logs and Metrics. Logs and metrics are important tools for monitoring systems and applications and identifying issues. Metrics as a tool is used to create time-series visualizations, helping engineers observe when things go wrong. Logs provide visibility into interesting incidents that occur within an application.

• Other Internal Tools. These can include tools used by a site reliability engineer for managing testing activities within development or integration exercises, tools to improve system health and reliability, and tools to monitor features for service-oriented infrastructure.

Skills Required by Infrastructure Engineers

• IT infrastructure. Infrastructure engineers must be able to design and implement infrastructure technologies, including networking, software, physical infrastructure, software, virtual and cloud computing, etc.

• Information security. An infrastructure security engineer can maintain the security and integrity of information systems through compliance with applicable regulations and legislation. The role of the infrastructure security engineer is critical, as it can keep a business’ sensitive information safe.

• Ownership and initiative. An infrastructure engineer can take ownership of projects and take full responsibility for actions taken and decisions made.

• Problem-solving. An infrastructure engineer can identify problems, document their causes, and analyze and find the appropriate solution. 

• Systems design and integration. Infrastructure automation engineer professionals can work with stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs. They can also integrate components, systems, and interfaces to create effective operational services.

• Troubleshooting and problem resolution. Infrastructure software engineer professionals can think laterally to dissect a problem into smaller parts to identify root causes and offer problem resolution. 

The demand for lead infrastructure engineer candidates is growing rapidly. Below is a breakdown of the outlook for these professionals, including the average infrastructure engineer salary, their growth rate, and current average job openings. 

The Core Responsibilities of Infrastructure Engineers

It is important to note that the roles of infra engineers may depend entirely on the requirements of a business. Some engineers have bigger scopes, while others have fewer responsibilities because they work on smaller projects. Let’s explore some of the general core responsibilities of an infrastructure engineer: 

Infrastructure Engineers DO:

• Design, implement, and maintain a secure and scalable infrastructure platform
• Deliver robust cloud services’ applications 
• Operate and maintain production systems in a cloud environment
• Create tools for automating deployment and monitor the overall platform 
• Work in CI/CD environments 
• Provide application support and troubleshooting 
• Offer ongoing maintenance and support of internal tools and improve system health and reliability 
• Ensure that internal and external service level agreements (SLAs) meet expectations

Infrastructure Engineers DON’T:

• Design algorithms and flowcharts
• Program in different languages
• Coordinate and manage teams
• Train staff to use new IT systems

The Difference Between Five Types of IT Infrastructure Engineers 

As with any professional roles, IT engineers specialize in different fields. These professionals have different responsibilities and are hired as different experts. Let’s take a look at how these positions vary: 

• Cloud infrastructure engineer. Cloud infrastructure is virtual computing infrastructure that clients can access through a network. A cloud infrastructure engineer designs and builds the systems and network required for such a cloud system. Their roles may include developing cloud networks that store data that can be accessed online and working on systems connecting clients to clouds. A data infrastructure engineer is also involved in making decisions about how to secure data effectively.

• Network infrastructure engineer. Network infrastructure involves using software and hardware assets of a network that promotes the communication of a business’s entire network, including network connectivity and management. A network infrastructure engineer designs, deploys, and secures the network. Responsibilities can include performing site surveys and audits to ensure the proper specifications of a network.

• DevOps infrastructure engineer. A DevOps infrastructure engineer exists to provide critical thinking, technical innovation, and attention to detail while serving as an advisor and leader to a team. Responsibilities of a DevOps infrastructure developer can include building and maintaining cloud infrastructure and CI/CD pipeline, supporting product and core services team by enhancing efficiency through automation and tools, and creating well-thought-out architecture with an emphasis on quality.

• Application infrastructure engineer. An application infrastructure engineer plays a crucial role in applying technical subject matter expertise. In this role, engineers review client requirements and design competitive and compliant application solutions. They often work as part of a proposal response team. 

• System infrastructure engineer. An infrastructure systems engineer oversees the engineering, business, and management parts of a project or a system. These professionals ensure that all the components properly work together. A system infrastructure engineer is involved with the “bigger picture” of a project and engineering aspects. They consider details such as costs and schedules related to a project.

It is also important to realize that the rates for hiring the different types of engineers vary largely. For example, let’s consider the junior, middle, and senior infrastructure engineer salary in each line of specialty:

Is It Expensive to Hire Infrastructure Engineers?

Besides the IT infrastructure engineer resume, one of the most essential factors to keep in mind when hiring infrastructure engineers is its cost. With the high demand for these skilled employees, their average salaries are also increasing. Therefore, it is important to do thorough research before committing to hiring. 

Let’s take a look at the average monthly IT infrastructure engineer salary in five different countries: 

• USA: $6,623
• UK: $4,496
• Germany: $6,697
• Switzerland: $9,119
• Ukraine: 2,700*

*Ukrainian salaries are provided based on Mobilunity’s Recruitment Team research on the local job markets. All salaries are net and do not include the service fee (in case of hiring on a dedicated team model). The salaries are provided for comparison purposes and could not be entirely accurate. Contact us to know the exact cost of hiring a developer corresponding to the required parameters.

Options of Hiring Infrastructure Developers 

There are different ways to go about hiring a junior, middle, or senior infrastructure engineer. Businesses that want to invest in developing, integrating, and maintaining IT applications and support services should keep in mind which hiring model is best for their specific requirements: 

• Hiring remote specialists

When hiring an infrastructure engineer remote, the process involves employing professionals outside of a traditional office environment. These specialists could work from a coworking space, home, or even in a city across the world. A remote infrastructure engineer can be sourced from hiring platforms, such as LinkedIn, freelance platforms, or outsourcing companies. The advantages of hiring remote developers include: 

1. Access to a wider talent pool. 
2. Low or no cost of office space.
3. A working environment that appeals to the vast majority of talents, resulting in happier employees.
4. Fewer distractions lead to enhanced productivity.
5. Saving time and resources on recruitment and training. 

• Hiring local developers

Hiring talents locally involves employing engineers from in and around the same area a business operates in. These professionals typically work from the business’ own offices and are usually called in-house employees. The advantages of hiring local employees include: 

1. Collaboration is often easier between teams. 
2. Fostering team bonding is a smoother process. 
3. Following up on or tracking the progress of projects and tasks can sometimes be easier and more convenient. 

It is important to look at the benefits of each hiring model and decide which will work best for a business’s unique setup, structure, and requirements. 

How Businesses Can Benefit from Hiring Cloud Infrastructures Engineers

Hiring an infrastructure engineer can bring many benefits to your business. Yet, to get the most out of such a specialist, you must pick the one that suits your company and niche.

How to find out which specialist you require? And when exactly do companies need to hire cloud infrastructure engineers? Let’s figure this out. 

Since there are different types of IT infrastructure engineering, you should navigate them to choose the services you need. Because if one specialist is an expert in cloud technologies, the other will excel in software development or database management.

Let’s look at a few company types that typically need infrastructure system engineers.

• Tech firms that require their own infrastructure. As a rule, these companies have tech staff, including architects, developers, and engineers. To properly create an internal infrastructure, a specialist must have experience in programming, working with distributed systems, and profound technological savvy in general.
• Firms that need cloud infrastructure. Such companies require a cloud & IT-infrastructure engineer who is well-versed in cloud services such as AWS or Azure and has scripting skills and knowledge of CI/CD with other DevOps tools.
• Firms with outdated infrastructure. In this case, companies either completely update their systems or combine new technologies with old ones. Infrastructure engineers, typically busy deploying legacy infrastructure, know about legacy systems and the skills to reduce their limitations.

The infrastructure of any company is unique. Businesses should hire in-house infrastructure engineers to deploy internal systems and fine-tune processes. This way, the specialist will get to know the company and its characteristics well and offer the best solutions.

Yet, it also makes sense to hire remote cloud infrastructure engineers. It is especially suitable for small companies, as it is cost-effective and allows for rapid scaling. Larger organizations can also benefit, as cloud technologies enable them to operate at a significant scale while being less vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Let’s say you are a business that needs a systems infrastructure engineer. What else should you pay attention to get as many advantages as possible from cooperation? It would help if you also considered the industry in which your company operates.

There is a noticeable tendency to transfer many business processes to remote mode. In such circumstances, more and more companies are turning to cloud computing. These technologies have changed the usual approach to work in various niches, from marketing to recruiting. 

We want to highlight several industries for which cloud infrastructure is a real revolution:

• Healthcare. Healthcare companies hire infrastructure developers for convenient, instant, and secure data management. Moreover, this data can be easily transferred between different institutions creating an accessible ecosystem. Organizations can provide faster and better medical care and more individualized treatment approaches with such technology. Cloud infrastructure also drives the medical research field, enabling the processing of large amounts of data.
• Finance. Cloud software infrastructure engineering helps companies in the financial sector strengthen their security level due to high resistance to various malicious attacks. It is especially beneficial for financial companies with a large client base. Businesses also get a sustainable infrastructure with unlimited data storage.
• Manufacturing. The use of cloud technologies is also significantly transforming the production area. Such innovations make it possible to carry out digital modeling in real-time and increase the flexibility and availability of business.

These are just three areas that prosper from proper infrastructure implementation. But in reality, there are much more niches. Most modern businesses can generally thrive by hiring a highly qualified network and infrastructure engineer.

Now that you know about the types of companies and areas for which infrastructure maintenance is needed, let’s go directly to the main benefits of this endeavor.

Here are the main advantages of hiring an infrastructure IT engineer:

• Reducing expenses

By hiring an experienced software infrastructure engineer, a company can significantly reduce operating costs. You may wonder how you can keep costs down while still paying for the services of a new specialist. Such an expert will ensure the proper functioning of your infrastructure and make your business work smoother and more efficiently. Cloud technologies are especially relevant in this regard.

• Leveraging expertise

You also get many benefits by hiring a knowledgeable and experienced computer infrastructure engineer. Such a specialist is well versed in technologies and will use his background to implement the infrastructure in your company as efficiently as possible.

• Focusing on core business objectives

Now that you have an IT system infrastructure engineer, you can focus on the more critical tasks of your company. At that time, your expert will take care of all the processes related to building the infrastructure for your business.

• Saving your time

Instead of doing everything yourself or training your employees, hire a qualified server infrastructure engineer immediately. In this way, you will not waste extra time on setting up all the processes in your company because an experienced specialist will do it for you.

• Implementing top solutions

As a rule, experienced infrastructure experts already have a background in implementing similar systems in various businesses. Such specialists are well versed in technology, network connections, and data management. Therefore, by hiring an infrastructure engineer, you can be sure that this expert will use only advanced solutions for your company.

• Scaling your business faster

If you hire a qualified infrastructure engineer, you can scale your company faster and easier. Such a specialist knows how to implement technologies as quickly as possible and will help you with solutions for expanding your business.

Summarizing all the advantages of an infrastructure engineer for businesses, it is worth noting that it is all about higher speed, increased efficiency, and reduced costs. While you handle key operations, an engineer implements the infrastructure for you.

If you want the benefit of bringing an infrastructure engineer into your company’s processes, Mobilunity can provide such an expert for you. We offer the services of dedicated development teams that also include infrastructure specialists.

Mobilunity: Your Solution to Hiring Expert Dedicated Teams

Mobilunity is an outstaffing company based in Ukraine. We take pride in having over 10 years of experience helping businesses in a wide variety of industries with dedicated IT experts and teams. Our candidates assist businesses with unsurpassed solutions related to software development projects and digital transformation. They work hand-in-hand with businesses to ensure they understand specific business goals and exceed expectations.

At Mobilunity, we have worked with many businesses in different industries over the last few years to assist them in completing their IT and digital transformation projects successfully. 

Some of the most reputable businesses trust our approach. Our clients include BYG-E in Denmark, Paidy in Japan, Network of Arts in Switzerland, and XPLG in Israel. 

Our simple but highly effective process includes the following steps: 

• Recruiting efficiently 

We specialize in selecting the best candidates according to clients’ briefs. They then have to complete a test task and pass a range of infrastructure engineer interview questions.

• We assist with onboarding 

Our team assists with the setting up of essential settings and processes to ensure smooth and effortless onboarding for talents.

• We help with ongoing support 

We ensure all contractual obligations are met and offer support with ongoing requirements to ensure a successful partnership.

If you need an expert IT and cloud infrastructure engineer to design and build your business’ IT applications and support services, talk to the team at Mobilunity. Find the best candidates effortlessly! 

Written by:

Anastasia Stefanuk

Market Researcher

Disclaimer: All salaries and prices mentioned within the article are approximate NET numbers based on the research done by our in-house Recruitment Team. Please use these numbers as a guide for comparison purposes only and feel free to use the contact form to inquire on the specific cost of the talent according to your vacancy requirements and chosen model of engagement.