SDI Data Center Engineer Position Description

February 9, 2015

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SDI Data Center Engineer Position Description February 9, 2015—Page i

Table of Contents

General Characteristics ................................................................................................ 1

Career Path .................................................................................................................... 2
Explanation of Proficiency Level Definitions ............................................................ 11
Summary Proficiency Matrix ...................................................................................... 12
Proficiency Matrix ....................................................................................................... 13

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General Characteristics
Individuals within the software defined infrastructure (SDI) Data Center Engineer role are responsible for centrally controlling all
aspects of the data center (compute, networking, and storage) through hardware-independent management and virtualization
software. This enables them to respond in real time to provide improved availability, as well as support for shifting volumes of
work. They design software defined components into the environment, and install, support, and maintain hardware and software
infrastructure according to industry leading best-practices.
SDI Data Center Engineers are routinely involved with the configuration and maintenance of physical and logical components.
They also provide support for issues that come through the customer service center. Senior professionals in this role are
additionally involved with planning and designing the infrastructure and enterprise solutions. They create innovation strategies and
solutions for sustainable outcomes. They recommend new or different technologies that will enhance current systems and support
overall business goals.
Individuals act as project team members or leaders, depending on the scope of the project. They demonstrate a high level of
knowledge surrounding data centers, networks and systems. They also display strong communications and troubleshooting skills.
SDI Data Center Engineers must keep abreast of new technologies and may identify and implement new technologies and
processes that improve the reliability, efficiency, and availability of the infrastructure environment.

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Career Path
The following section is intended to serve as a general guideline for each relative dimension of project complexity, responsibility
and education/experience within this role. This table is not intended for use as a checklist to facilitate promotions or to define
specific responsibilities as outlined in a job description. Actual responsibilities and experiences may vary.
Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
Dimension
 Works on projects/systems/issues  Works on projects/systems/issues  Works on enterprise-wide
of small to medium complexity. of medium to high complexity. projects/systems/issues of high
 Provides operations support and  Provides operations support, complexity.
Work Complexity maintenance for network systems maintenance and administration  Provides operations support,
as a team member. for network systems as a team maintenance and administration
member, sometimes as a cross- for network systems as a cross-
functional team lead. functional team lead.
Typical Responsibilities

 Contributes to the enterprise’s  Contributes to the enterprise’s

strategic SDI direction. strategic SDI direction.
 Interfaces with IT Leaders and
Architects to present ideas and
concepts for approval.
Strategy  Makes business and technical
recommendations for new
initiatives.
 Develops technology roadmap
and action plan in areas of
ownership (data center,
network, systems, and storage).
 Participates in short-term planning  Participates in short- and long-  Conducts short- and long-term
to meet requirements. term planning to meet planning to meet requirements.
requirements.  Reviews existing infrastructure
Project Planning documentation to assist with
development and preparation of
cost estimates.
 Provides integrated systems

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
planning and recommends new
or different technologies that
will enhance current systems
and support overall business
goals.
 Ensures projects are aligned
with the SDI strategy.
 Works with IT teams to gather  Works with IT teams to gather  Works with IT teams to gather
requirements. requirements. requirements.
 Analyzes and documents  Determines requirements impact  Determines requirements impact
requirements. on existing architecture, work on existing architecture, work
 Determines requirements impact processes and systems. processes and systems.
on existing architecture, work  Determines infrastructure  Oversees and ensures proper
processes and systems. systems specifications, communication and reviews of
Requirements  Assists in determining input/output processes. requirements with appropriate
infrastructure systems  Communicates/reviews teams.
specifications, input/output requirements with appropriate  Explains to non-SMEs how the
processes. teams. proposed solution will support
 Participates in technical design  Explains to non-SMEs how the their requirements.
review of applicable solutions. proposed solution will support  Develops and maintains a
their requirements. comprehensive database/library
of all supporting
documentation.
 Assists in defining the application  Identifies the abstracted  Identifies the infrastructure layers
use cases and entry points for infrastructure layers required required by application and
SDDC. by application and process use process use cases.
 Assists in defining detailed data cases  Defines and approves application
center services based on  Defines the application use cases use cases and entry points for
Software Design Data application and process and entry points for SDDC. SDDC.
Center (SDDC) —
Startup
requirements.  Identifies the layer of  Identifies the layer of abstraction
 Participates in testing and abstraction and virtualization and virtualization requirements for
implementing API interoperability. requirements for storage, storage, networking, computing,
 Implements the software-defined networking, computing, and and facilities components.
components based on use case. facilities components.  Defines infrastructure
 Tests APIs associated with the  Defines infrastructure implementation requirements.

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
control and data planes to ensure implementation requirements.  Defines abstracted/virtual
infrastructure interoperability.  Assists defining of infrastructure service.
 Performs IT service continuity and abstracted/virtual infrastructure  Defines detailed data center
disaster recovery testing for each service. services based on application and
software-defined component.  Defines detailed data center process requirements.
services based on application and  Performs an infrastructure
process requirements. assessment focusing on use case
 Performs an infrastructure requirements and data center
assessment focusing on use services.
case requirements and data  Defines abstracted/virtual
center services. policies.
 Tests and implements API  Tests and implements API
interoperability. interoperability.
 Implements the software-defined  Implements the software-defined
components based on use case. components based on use case.
 Performs IT service continuity and  Validates that policies and
disaster recovery testing. services can be automated
 Identifies established within each infrastructure
processes and patterns that component.
have to be secured throughout  Oversees IT service continuity
the entire SDDC environment. and disaster recovery testing.
 Implements an overarching  Identifies and standardizes
policy-based solution to established processes and
provide management and patterns that have to be secured
infrastructure planning. throughout the entire SDDC
environment.
 Selects and implements an
overarching policy-based solution
to provide management and
infrastructure planning.
 Assists in preparing the physical  Prepares the physical network  Prepares the physical network
network infrastructure that will infrastructure that will host the infrastructure that will host the
SDN — Startup host the SDN overlay SDN overlay implementation. SDN overlay implementation.
implementation.  Optimizes the SDN data plane for  Ensures that the physical
 May optimize the SDN data plane improved communications. network meets the SDN data

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
for improved communications.  Leverages the information in plane requirements such as
 Implements the interface between the controller to augment the bandwidth, oversubscription,
the virtual and physical networks. network instrumentation latency between devices and
toolset, such as application and jumbo frames support.
 Assists in deploying highly
available Layer 2 and Layer 3
performance monitoring, to  Provisions the SDN control
help correlate physical network plane with high availability and
edge gateways to enable traffic
events with events from the network connectivity.
between the virtual networks and
virtual network.
both the physical data center and  Optimizes the SDN data plane for
external networks.  Integrates a policy-based improved communications.
orchestration or a cloud
 Ensures that SDN management
management platform (CMP) to
tools and practices offer
improve operations.
visibility into the virtual
 Leverages SDN controller APIs networks.
to enable end-to-end
application provisioning by
 Leverages the information in the
controller to augment the network
integrating network
instrumentation toolset, such as
provisioning with the server,
application and performance
storage and application stacks.
monitoring, to help correlate
 Designs and implements the physical network events with
interface between the virtual and events from the virtual network.
physical networks.
 Integrates a policy-based
 Deploys highly available Layer 2 orchestration or a cloud
and Layer 3 edge gateways to management platform (CMP) to
enable traffic between the virtual improve operations.
networks and both the physical
 Leverages SDN controller APIs to
data center and external
enable end-to-end application
networks.
provisioning by integrating
 Incorporates network services network provisioning with the
into the SDN overlay solution. server, storage and application
stacks.
 Designs and implements the
interface between the virtual and
physical networks.
 Deploys highly available Layer 2
and Layer 3 edge gateways to
enable traffic between the virtual

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
networks and both the physical
data center and external
networks.
 Determines whether to use a
virtual or physical network
appliance to perform the
gateway services, based on
capacity and performance
requirements.
 Selects network services that
support that meets
requirements.
 Incorporates network services into
the SDN overlay solution.
 Helps identify primary storage  Identifies primary storage pain  Identifies primary storage pain
pain points and inefficiencies. points and inefficiencies. points and inefficiencies.
 Assists in virtualizing the target  Confers with server, network,  Selects an SDS partner or
storage environment. security and application teams vendor.
 Deploys additional data services to collectively define cross-  Confers with server, network,
as needed. domain requirements and API security and application teams to
standards.
 Assists in leveraging SDS collectively define cross-domain
capabilities to address functional  Virtualizes the target storage requirements and API standards.
gaps with services such as environment.  Virtualizes the target storage
snapshots, replication, de-  Deploys additional data services environment.
SDS — Startup duplication and application as needed.  Deploys additional data services
integration.  Leverages SDS capabilities to as needed.
 Works with application owners to address functional gaps with  Leverages SDS capabilities to
define application service-level services such as snapshots, address functional gaps with
agreements (SLAs) and priorities. replication, de-duplication and services such as snapshots,
 Integrates SDS with SDDC and/or application integration. replication, de-duplication and
cloud management.  Works with application owners application integration.
and business units to define  Develops service and
application service-level provisioning policies.
agreements (SLAs) and priorities.
 Works with application owners
 Collaborates with server, and business units to define

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
networking, and security teams application service-level
to translate SLAs into agreements (SLAs) and priorities.
infrastructure requirements.  Collaborates with server,
 Integrates SDS with SDDC and/or networking, and security teams to
cloud management. translate SLAs into infrastructure
requirements.
 Integrates SDS with SDDC and/or
cloud management.
 Deploys and reviews new,  Coordinates and leads the  Certifies the functionality of
modified or enhanced deployment and review of new, components and services and
software/services. modified or enhanced software/ ensures deployment meets
 Ensures deployment meets services. client's expectations.
client's expectations.  Migrates additional  Drives and oversees the
Deployment  May coordinate activities. components (i.e., implementation of solutions.
Organizations) into the
environment, true DR/COOP
capability at redundant data
center, moving to a Cloud
Hosting environment and
expanding VDI infrastructure.
 Monitors system activity and logs  Assesses system performance  Assesses system performance to
problems. to ensure that it meets the ensure that it meets the present
 Reviews facilities’ bandwidth and present and future needs. and future needs.
capacity requirements and system  Analyzes network activity and  Analyzes network activity and
interdependencies. problems to discover and network problems to discover and
 Assists in the development of prevent systematic errors. prevent systematic errors.
capacity planning models and  Analyzes facilities’ bandwidth and  Analyzes facilities’ bandwidth and
Performance load balancing solutions and capacity requirements and system capacity requirements and system
performs adjustments as needed. interdependencies. interdependencies.
 Recommends enhancements to  Recommends enhancements to
improve systems availability improve systems availability and
and performance. performance to senior
 Develops capacity planning management.
models and load balancing  Develops capacity planning
solutions and performs models and load balancing
solutions and performs

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
adjustments as needed. adjustments as needed.
 Maintains security and ensures  Maintains security and ensures  Maintains security and ensures
Security compliance with security policies compliance with security policies compliance with security policies
and procedures. and procedures. and procedures.
 Provides documentation, training,  Provides documentation, training,  Provides documentation, training,
and guidance for computing and guidance for computing and guidance for computing
system clients and programmers. system clients and programmers. system clients and programmers.
Customer Support  Provides responsive support for  Provides responsive support for  Provides responsive support for
problems found during normal problems found during normal problems found during normal
working hours as well as outside working hours as well as outside working hours as well as outside
normal working hours. normal working hours. normal working hours.
 Provides Level 2 support and  Provides Level 2 support and  Provides Level 2 support and
works with vendor on Level 3 works with vendor on Level 3 works with vendor on Level 3
problems. problems. problems.
Production Support  Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and  Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and  Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and
resolves problems. resolves problems. resolves problems.
 Documents problems and  Documents problems and  Documents problems and
resolutions for future reference. resolutions for future reference. resolutions for future reference.
 Leads site specific disaster  Assists in the development of a  Designs and assists in the
recovery plans. comprehensive disaster development of a comprehensive
recovery plan. disaster recovery plan.
 Assists in the development of  Assists in the development of
disaster recovery plans with disaster recovery plans with
service providers and network service providers and network
Business Continuity carriers. carriers.
 Ensures disaster recovery plan
testing activities are performed
and technical criteria are met.
 Ensures readiness of
enterprisewide network plans.
 Works with vendors to resolve  Works with vendors to resolve  Works with vendors to resolve
problems. problems. problems.
Vendor Management
 Monitors services provided by  Assists in negotiation efforts  Assists in negotiation efforts for
vendors to ensure service levels for contracts with external contracts with external vendors.

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
meet requirements. vendors.  Ensures that external parties are
 Evaluates vendor solutions to  Ensures that external parties adhering to contract requirements.
ensure compliance with are adhering to contract  Evaluates services provided by
requirements and cost- requirements. vendors and recommends
effectiveness.  Evaluates vendor solutions to changes.
 Notifies management when ensure compliance with  Evaluates vendor solutions to
contract requirements are not requirements and cost- ensure compliance with
being met. effectiveness. requirements and cost-
 May resolve invoice  Notifies management when effectiveness.
discrepancies. contract requirements are not
being met.
 Reviews all invoices and
resolves discrepancies.
 Adheres to policies, processes  Adheres to policies, processes  Ensures adherence to policies,
and standards. and standards. processes, and standards.
Policies, Processes and
Standards  Identifies and documents
design best practices for
adoption.
 Conducts technical research to  Conducts technical research to  Conducts technical research to
determine feasibility, cost, time determine feasibility, cost, time determine feasibility, cost, time
required, and compatibility with required, and compatibility with required, and compatibility with
current software/service. current software/service. current software/service.
 Studies vendor products to  Studies vendor products to
determine those which best determine those which best meet
meet organization needs and organization needs and makes
makes recommendations. recommendations.
Research/Evaluation  Presents information to
management resulting in
purchase, and installation of
software.
 Participate and/or be familiar
with Open Networking Forum's
SDN technology/
standardization work, ETSI
Network Functions

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Title SDI Data Center Engineer I SDI Data Center Engineer II SDI Data Center Engineer III
Virtualization (NFV), IETF's SDN
related Workgroups and
initiatives, OpenStack activities
related to APIs, and other SDN
related activities in the industry.

Coaching/Mentoring  Provides training and technical  Provides training and technical

guidance to team members. guidance to team members.

 Bachelor’s degree or technical  Bachelor’s degree or technical  Bachelor’s degree in related

institute degree/certificate in institute degree/certificate in Computer Science, Information
Computer Science, Information Computer Science, Information Systems, or other related field. Or
Systems, or other related field. Or Systems, or other related field. Or equivalent work experience.
equivalent work experience. equivalent work experience.  Typically requires 7 or more
 Typically requires 3-5 years of  Typically requires 5-7 years of years of relevant work experience.
relevant work experience. relevant work experience.  Experience supporting
 Understanding in SDN  Experience in the network production infrastructure
technology. solutions and application (network, compute and
 Solid understanding of software development area for 3 to 5 storage), including at least 5+
development principals and years. years of experience designing
Typical Education/
Experience networks.  Experience with a wide variety and architecting scalable and
of networking technologies redundant hosted systems.
required.  Strong experience with a wide
 Strong knowledge of data variety of networking technologies
center functions, such as required.
computing, storage and Cloud  Ability to synthesize from the
functions, used in the big-picture into implementation.
Enterprise network.  Broad industry knowledge in
data center technologies with a
focus in virtualization,
computing, storage and
network.

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Explanation of Proficiency Level Definitions

Proficiency scale definitions are provided to help determine an individual’s proficiency level in a specific competency. The rating
scale below was created as a foundation for the development of proficiency level definitions used for assessments.

Demonstrates minimal use of this competency; limited knowledge of subject matter area; needs frequent
Being Developed: (BD)
assistance and close supervision for direction. Currently developing competency.

Demonstrates limited use of this competency; basic familiarity of subject matter area; needs additional
Basic: (B)
training to apply without assistance or with frequent supervision.

Demonstrates working or functional proficiency level sufficient to apply this competency effectively without
Intermediate: (I)
assistance and with minimal supervision; working/functional knowledge of subject matter area.

Demonstrates in-depth proficiency level sufficient to assist, consult to, or lead others in the application of
Advanced: (A)
this competency; in-depth knowledge in subject matter area.

Demonstrates broad, in-depth proficiency sufficient to be recognized as an authority or master performer in

Expert: (E)
the applications of this competency; recognized authority/expert in subject matter area.

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Summary Proficiency Matrix

The chart provides a summary of proficiency ratings.
SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data
Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies
Analytical Thinking: Able to breakdown raw information and undefined problems into specific, workable
components that in-turn clearly identifies the issues at hand. Makes logical conclusions, anticipates I A E
obstacles and considers different approaches that are relevant to the decision making process.
Communications for Results: Expresses technical and business concepts, ideas, feelings, opinions, and
conclusions orally and in writing. Listens attentively and reinforces words through empathetic body language I A E
and tone.
Innovation: Improves organizational performance though the application of original thinking to existing and
emerging methods, processes, products and services. Employs sound judgment in determining how B I A
innovations will be deployed to produce return on investment.
Problem Solving: Anticipates, identifies and defines problems. Seeks root causes. Develops and
I A E
implements practical and timely solutions.
Service Provider Assessment & Evaluation: Analyzes and evaluates business need, product capabilities,
and cost benefit required for assessing and evaluating external service providers and their products. B I E
Understands service provider history, market position, future product plans, and strategies.
Strategic Thinking: Examines issues and creates plans with a long-term perspective. Generates ideas and
critically evaluates future scenarios. Applies external and internal factors to strategy development.
B I A
Considers long term strategic impact when making decisions or setting direction. Ensures that short-term
goals support long-term strategy.
Teamwork: Collaborates with other members of formal and informal groups in the pursuit of common
missions, vision, values and mutual goals. Places team needs and priorities above personal needs. Involves
B I A
others in making decisions that affect them. Draws on the strengths of colleagues and gives credit to others'
contributions and achievements.
Vendor & Alliance Management: Creates relationships with vendor and/or alliance partners to ensure
smooth workflow and meet external and internal client needs. Sets standards and monitors for B I A
improvements in shared accountabilities and capabilities.

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Proficiency Matrix
The following charts illustrate proficiency levels for each competency.
SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data
Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies
Analytical Thinking: Able to breakdown raw information and undefined problems into specific, workable
components that in-turn clearly identifies the issues at hand. Makes logical conclusions, anticipates obstacles and
considers different approaches that are relevant to the decision making process.
Being Developed (BD): Gathers and links data. Reviews for non-conformity and gathers further information in
response to routine problems. Identifies direct cause and effect relationships. Breaks down tasks and problems
into manageable components. Solicits guidance as needed to assess importance and urgency. Escalates issues
of a non-routine nature as needed.
Basic (B): Collates and reports information. Solicits guidance to define criteria and assign values of importance
and urgency. Sorts information in order of importance. Investigates to define problems more accurately. Identifies
trends and exceptions. Identifies relationships and linkages between components. Identifies variable potential
causes and effects. Escalates issues of an exceptional nature.
Intermediate (I): Coordinates the information gathering and reporting process. Reviews trends and compares to
expectations. Conducts research to define problems and prepares responses to anticipated questions. Prioritizes
multiple issues and opportunities. Identifies relationships and linkages within several information sources.
Anticipates issues that are not readily apparent on the surface. Identifies root causes and effects. Defines priorities
within performance objectives. Reports and identifies areas that need guidance in order to resolve complex

issues. Anticipates the possible outcome of potential solutions.
Advanced (A): Determines criteria for assessing issues and opportunities. Establishes clear goals and priorities
needed to assess performance. Identifies relationships and linkages between different information sources.
Anticipates issues that are not readily apparent on the surface. Identifies root causes and effects. Establishes
clear goals and priorities. Anticipates potential problems and develops solutions needed to resolve them.
Systemically analyzes relationships between apparently independent problems and issues. Reviews and cross-
reviews reports. Identifies trends as well as isolated events. Translates analytical reports into management

presentations, and provides guidance to resolve issues. Anticipates the possible outcome of potential solutions.
Identifies areas of significant concern or opportunity. Probes and initiates research to identify critical problems.

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SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data

Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies

Expert (E): Establishes strategic goals and enterprisewide priorities. Uses techniques of advanced business and
organizational analysis to identify and assess problem definitions and potential solutions, and compares and
contrasts them against predetermined criteria. Creates framework for reviewing large volumes of unorganized
data. Probes for and points to subtle and unclear relationships in highly complex matters and evaluates the merit
of problem definitions and potential solutions. Anticipates the possible outcome of potential solutions. Systemically

identifies and resolves complex enterprisewide issues, while educating senior leaders as to their solution.

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SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data

Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies

Communications for Results: Expresses technical and business concepts, ideas, feelings, opinions, and
conclusions orally and in writing. Listens attentively and reinforces words through empathetic body language and
tone.

Being Developed (BD): Speaks and writes to peers in ways that support transactional activities. Shares
information and asks questions prior to taking action.

Basic (B): Converses with and writes to peers in ways that support transactional and administrative activities.
Seeks and shares information and opinions. Explains the immediate context of the situation, asks questions with
follow-ups, and solicits advice prior to taking action.

Intermediate (I): Conducts discussions with and writes memoranda to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in
ways that support troubleshooting and problem solving. Seeks and shares relevant information, opinions, and
judgments. Handles conflict empathetically. Explains the context of inter-related situations, asks probing
questions, and solicits multiple sources of advice prior to taking action.

Advanced (A): Converses with, writes reports and creates/delivers presentations to all levels of colleagues and


peer groups in ways that support problem solving and planning. Seeks a consensus with business partners.
Debates opinions, tests understanding and clarifies judgments. Brings conflict into the open empathetically.
Explains the context of multiple inter-related situations, asks searching, probing questions, and solicits expert
advice prior to taking action and making recommendations.

Expert (E): Converses with, writes strategic documents and creates/delivers presentations to internal business
leaders and as well as external groups. Leads discussions with senior leaders and external partners in ways that


support strategic planning and decision-making. Seeks a consensus with business leaders. Debates opinions,
tests understanding and clarifies judgments. Identifies underlying differences and resolves conflict openly and
empathetically. Explains the context of multiple, complex inter-related situations. Asks searching, probing
questions, plays devil's advocate, and solicits authoritative perspectives and advice prior to approving plans and
recommendations.

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SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data

Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies
Innovation: Improves organizational performance though the application of original thinking to existing and
emerging methods, processes, products and services. Employs sound judgment in determining how innovations
will be deployed to produce return on investment.

Being Developed (BD): Participates in problem-solving discussions and suggests ideas as opportunities arise.
Accepts that new ways of doing things can improve individual and team results.

Basic (B): Reacts open-mindedly to new perspectives or ideas. Considers different or unusual solutions when
appropriate. Identifies opportunities for innovation and offers new ideas. Takes the initiative to experiment. 
Intermediate (I): Shares new ideas and consistently demonstrates openness to the opinions and views of others.


Identifies new and different patterns, trends, and opportunities. Generates solutions that build upon, adapt, and go
beyond tradition and status quo. Targets important areas for innovation and develops solutions that address
meaningful work issues. Seeks to involve other stakeholders in developing solutions to problems. Takes
calculated risks.

Advanced (A): Challenges conventional thinking and traditional ways of operating and invites stakeholders to
identify issues and opportunities. Helps others overcome resistance to change. Seeks out opportunities to


improve, streamline, reinvent work processes. Explores numerous potential solutions and evaluates each before
accepting any, as time permits. Maintains balance between innovation and pragmatism when determining the
practical application of new ideas. Makes lots of proposals, builds on others’ ideas. Sees opportunities, open-
minded. Develops new products or services, methods or approaches. Develops better, faster, or less expensive
ways to do things. Fosters a non-judgmental environment that stimulates creativity.

Expert (E): Thinks expansively by combining ideas in unique ways or making connections between disparate
ideas. Devises unusual or radically different approaches to deliver value added solutions. Analyzes previously
used concepts, processes or trends and devises new efficiencies not obvious by others. Directs creativity toward
effective implementation of solutions. Creates a work environment that encourages creative thinking and
innovation. Sponsors the development of new products, services, methods, or procedures. Exhibits creativity and
innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives. Employs sound judgment when selecting
among various creative ideas for implementation.

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SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data

Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies
Service Provider Assessment & Evaluation: Analyzes and evaluates business need, product capabilities, and
cost benefit required for assessing and evaluating external service providers and their products. Understands
service provider history, market position, future product plans, and strategies.

Being Developed (BD): Gathers and records data on specified vendors' services and products against defined
requirements.

Basic (B): Assesses and compares service providers and their products in meeting defined requirements.
Documents findings in a report that articulates the challenges and opportunities of each option. 
Intermediate (I): Evaluates internal provider solutions against proposed external solutions. Researches and
analyzes best in class vendors and identifies vendors and products that support the business strategy. Articulates
options and makes a recommendation for the best match between service/product and business requirements. 
Proposes performance criteria and standards to meet business needs (quality, cost and responsiveness).

Advanced (A): Leads the evaluation and selection process for external service providers. Researches and
analyzes industry standards and trends for services providers and their products. Evaluates business
requirements against service provider/product options. Understands and articulates the impact on business results
as services and products emerge in the industry. Reviews performance trends for ongoing service/product
improvements. Solicits business feedback on how solutions met business needs and recommends appropriate
action, if required.
Expert (E): Develops the rationale for using, or not using, external vendors for particular projects or functions.
Sponsors the strategy for use of vendors and products to support and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
business processes. Reviews performance trends against best standards, business partner feedback, and
business strategy and objectives. Validates that the requirements for services and products are met and approves
the choice of vendor and/or alliance partners for large-scale projects, core functions and enterprise-wide

initiatives. Assesses opportunities for consolidation and integration of solutions. Negotiates major enhancements
to products and services provided by vendors as necessary in order to meet enterprise needs.

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SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data

Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies

Strategic Thinking: Examines issues and creates plans with a long-term perspective. Generates ideas and
critically evaluates future scenarios. Applies external and internal factors to strategy development. Considers long
term strategic impact when making decisions or setting direction. Ensures that short-term goals support long-term
strategy.

Being Developed (BD): Resolves routine issues related to strategy implementation. Escalates issues identified
as impacting the client or strategic initiatives. Articulates the case for strategic initiatives. Compiles and reports
trend data.

Basic (B): Resolves day-to-day issues related to strategy implementation. Escalates issues that impact the client
and/or strategic initiatives. Checks for the commitment of local stakeholders involved in implementation.
Contributes to the testing of hypotheses. Tracks trend data. Applies creativity and critical analysis in gaining
interest for the application of new approaches.

Intermediate (I): Compares and contrasts ways of achieving a prescribed strategy. Identifies and agrees critical
strategic requirements and issues with clients, supervisors, and peers. Contributes to the development and testing
of hypotheses. Creates components for potential scenarios. Tracks and reviews trend data. Applies creativity and
critical analysis in creating commitment among peers for new approaches. Resolves day-to-day issues related to
strategy implementation. Escalates issues identified as impacting the client and/or strategic initiatives. Checks for

the commitment of stakeholders involved in implementation.
Advanced (A): Takes a systems perspective that inter-relates internal and external factors for planning.
Envisions, compares and contrasts multiple potential medium range operational futures. Partners with business
peers in defining strategic initiatives for a particular business area. Identifies planning assumptions. Contributes to
the development, research and testing of hypotheses. Creates and explores potential scenarios. Identifies trends.
Applies creativity and critical analysis in creating functional commitment for new objectives. Resolves issues

related to strategy implementation.
Expert (E): Takes a holistic systems perspective. Envisions, compares and contrasts multiple potential long-range
enterprise-wide futures. Empathizes with multiple points of view. Challenges planning assumptions. Develops,
researches and tests hypotheses. Facilitates the creation and exploration of scenarios. Identifies trends and
inconsistencies. Applies creativity and critical analysis in designing and creating organizational commitment for
new objectives. Approves, sponsors and spearheads the implementation of strategic initiatives, securing the
support of senior management.

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SDI Data SDI Data SDI Data

Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies

Teamwork: Collaborates with other members of formal and informal groups in the pursuit of common missions,
vision, values and mutual goals. Places team needs and priorities above personal needs. Involves others in
making decisions that affect them. Draws on the strengths of colleagues and gives credit to others' contributions
and achievements.

Being Developed (BD): Participates willingly by supporting team decisions, assisting other team members, and
doing his/her share of the work to meet goals and deadlines. Informs other team members about client-related
decisions, group processes, individual actions, or influencing events. Shares all relevant and useful information.

Basic (B): Takes initiative to actively participate in team interactions. Without waiting to be asked, constructively
expresses own point of view or concerns, even when it may be unpopular. Ensures that the limited time available
for collaboration adds significant customer value and business results.

Intermediate (I): Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to quickly accomplish specific objectives targeted
at defined business outcomes. Openly encourages other team members to voice their ideas and concerns. Shows
respect for differences and diversity, and disagrees without personalizing issues. Utilizes strengths of team 
members to achieve optimal performance.

Advanced (A): Consistently fosters collaboration and respect among team members by addressing elements of
the group process that impedes, or could impede, the group from reaching its goal. Engages the “right people,”
despite location or functional specialty, in the team by matching individual capabilities and skills to the team’s 
goals. Works with a wide range of teams and readily shares lessons learned.

Expert (E): Identifies and improves communication to bring conflict within the team into the open and facilitate
resolution. Openly shares credit for team accomplishment. Monitors individual and team effectiveness and
recommends improvement to facilitate collaboration. Considered a role model as a team player. Demonstrates
high level of enthusiasm and commitment to team goals under difficult or adverse situations; encourages others to

respond similarly. Strongly influences team strategy and processes.

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Title Center Center Center
Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III
Competencies

Vendor & Alliance Management: Creates relationships with vendor and/or alliance partners to ensure smooth
workflow and meet external and internal client needs. Sets standards and monitors for improvements in shared
accountabilities and capabilities.

Being Developed (BD): Follows defined procedures when working with vendor and/or alliance partners.
Escalates questions and problems to the appropriate contacts. Follows through and ensures planned action steps
are taken.

Basic (B): Follows procedures for working with vendor and/or alliance partners and resolves day-to-day problems
within defined guidelines. Maintains ongoing dialogue with partners. Suggests improvements in workflows and
handoffs between vendor and/or alliance partners and own organization. Escalates non-routine questions and
problems.



Intermediate (I): Coordinates effective workflows and processes with one or more vendor and/or alliance
partners. Resolves routine and non-routine conflicts and performance issues. Tracks and reports on service
satisfaction levels. Escalates operational failures as well as adverse trends in operational performance.

Advanced (A): Works with vendor and/or alliance partners to identify strategic opportunities and define solutions
to meet the needs of multiple stakeholders. Develops and manages contractual and service level agreements with
one or more partners. Reviews performance trends against service level agreements and coordinates governance
processes. Resolves escalated issues and conflict.

Expert (E): Directs, and sets terms and expectations for the provision of products/services from multiple,
integrated vendor and/or alliance partners. Leads the evaluation and selection process for significant partnerships.
Defines the criteria for and approves the choice of vendor and/or alliance partners for large-scale projects, core
functions and enterprisewide initiatives.

For internal use of MIT only.

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SDI Data Center Engineer Position Description February 9, 2015—Page 21

Any questions regarding this Report

should be addressed to:

Diana Hughes
Director of HR and Administration
Information Systems and Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(617) 253-6205
dhughes@mit.edu

For internal use of MIT only.