Jobs › University of Chicago

Facilities Infrastructure Support Engineer

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $80,000–$90,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

What would you do

Working in a medical center adds constraints an academic building does not. What changes?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that hospital work brings infection control, uptime and patient safety rules that an ordinary academic building never imposes.

A contractor's installation does not match your design. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they will hold a contractor to the specification calmly and in writing, rather than accept work that undermines the design.

How do you plan cabling for a building that will be renovated again in five years?

What they are checking: Whether they leave spare capacity and flexible pathways, because a design that only fits today becomes an expensive problem at the next renovation.

How do you work around occupants when the building is in use?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan noisy, disruptive work around people who still need the building, especially in clinical spaces that never close.

This sits in field support within the university's technology organization, covering campus and medical center buildings. What would you want to know about the existing infrastructure before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they ask about the condition and records of the existing buildings before committing, which shows realistic expectations about inheriting old infrastructure.

About the work

This role designs and documents structured wiring systems within and between buildings on a campus and at a medical center. What cabling design have you done?

What they are checking: Whether they have actually designed cabling systems themselves, because this role owns the design rather than just installing what someone else drew.

Walk me through designing the cabling for a new building floor.

What they are checking: Whether they follow a real method from survey to drawings, since a floor designed by guesswork costs money for years afterward.

What standards govern structured cabling, and where do installations most often fall short of them?

What they are checking: Whether they know the governing standards well enough to spot where real installations cut corners, which is where future failures start.

You'd produce construction documentation. What has to be on a drawing for an installer to build it right?

What they are checking: Whether their drawings are complete enough for an installer to build without calling, since unclear documents turn into costly field mistakes.

How do you keep documentation accurate after the install, when small changes accumulate?

What they are checking: Whether they have a habit for keeping records current, since outdated infrastructure records quietly make every future project slower and riskier.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Chicago from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department OPS ITS - Field Support About the Department IT Services (ITS) collaborates with campus partners to support the mission of the University of Chicago through the consistent delivery of high-quality solutions and services. We provide secure, stable, and reliable infrastructure and applications that support the mission of the University. ITS supports and enables faculty research and teaching with the effective use of technology, simplifies the technology experience for all users, and identifies, manages, and mitigates technology risks for the University. Job Summary This role will design construction and documentation of both campus and Medical Center intra-building/inter-building structured wiring systems composed of copper and fiber optics, both in building and outside. The Engineer will assist the IT manager of facilities infrastructure in enforcing current policies, procedures, and equipment standards for the University and Hospitals regarding communication infrastructure trends, transport architecture, and technology. A key responsibility is submitting proposals for installation work to be performed, assisting in the preparation of bids and review during the award process, and reading blueprints and schematics. The Engineer will also work with project managers to meet predetermined install dates, liaise with project managers, users, and clients affected by the installation process, attend appropriate meetings, and provide guidance and advice on construction and renovation of switching premises. Responsibilities • Works with minimal design support to develop bid specifications for contractor bid conferences; conducts the bid conference and mandatory walk-through and responds to questions and clarifications from all attendees. • Assists in evaluating bid responses and selecting the most qualified response; writes scopes of work and project drawings, updates records, and manages all financial aspects of the project including budgeting and processing invoices. • Manages and coordinates the installation process from contractor award through final customer acceptance and punch list, including submittals for completion such as test results for voice, data, and video cabling, as-built drawings, documentation, and database updates. • Stays current on updates pertaining to local and city code compliance for all projects; actively participates in local and national organizations pertaining to infrastructure. • Works closely with all peers and managers within ITS; participates in strategic planning for new construction and renovation; collaborates with Client Services and Support, University and Medical Center construction project managers, departmental IT staff, and vendors including communications contractors, architects, general contractors, and subcontractors. • Assists in the reconciliation of contractor billing and material supplier billing; returns extra material and equipment for credit or stage for future use. • Develops and coordinates right-of-way and street crossings including drawings for submittal to the city; applies for approvals and permits; develops bid specifications and drawings, conducts bid conference and walk-through, and coordinates and project-manages the construction. • Develops and coordinates material delivery and receiving procedures, inventory record procedures, and secure storage areas. • Works with the Facilities project manager and Manager of Facilities-Voice Networking Infrastructure to ensure compliance with the University's general, fiscal, budgetary, and personnel policies and procedures. • Configures, maintains, and installs server applications, local/wireless area networks, and hardware to support the IT infrastructure within the University. • Tests and analyzes complex networks and coordinates the organization's data communication network. Removes individuals from lists of authorized users, archives files, password protection and other security measures. • Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Experience: • Minimum three years of experience in telecommunications and data cabling systems design and engineering. • Professional experience in a large, complex organization such as a Medical Center or academic environment. • Demonstrable experience in strategic planning and decision-making. • Background with telecommunications equipment room design, underground and building conduit/raceway systems, and working knowledge of electrical and HVAC systems. Certifications and Licenses: • Accreditation from the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI). • Valid driver’s license. Technical Skills or Knowledge: • Basic computer skills to implement data in internal applications (MS Office: Excel, Word, and Outlook). • Project management skills. • Proven ability to work effectively with vendors and contractors in managing installation of inside and outside cable plant, and voice, data, and video station wiring and equipment. • Working knowledge and understanding of all BISCI Standard Operating Procedures. • Working knowledge of EIA/TIA, IEEE, and NEC standards, codes, and regulations as well as basic knowledge of City of Chicago construction industry standards. • Analyze client needs and develop plans, requests for quotes (RFQs), requests for information (RFIs), and specifications that fulfill contractual requirements and client needs. Preferred Competencies • Collaborates effectively and communicates clearly across all levels of the organization. • Manages multiple concurrent tasks and regular interruptions under tight deadlines and changing requirements, while providing leadership to employees. • Demonstrates strong time management and priority-setting skills to meet organizational goals. • Adapts effectively to a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Working Conditions • Works in a standard office environment with extensive computer use, requiring repetitive hand, wrist, and finger movements. • Attends meetings across campus and on construction sites, requiring personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and hard hats, with exposure to high dust, dirt, grease, noise, and outdoor weather conditions including extreme temperature changes. • Operates vehicles, motorized equipment, and tools requiring high dexterity; climbs ladders and scaffolds and maintains balance. • Sits or stands for short or extended periods; bends, crouches, or stoops as needed; carries and lifts loads up to 49 lbs. • Requires visual acuity including color, depth, and clarity perception, as well as tactile ability to distinguish size, shape, temperature, and texture. • Completes extensive safety training. Application Documents • Resume/CV (required) • Cover Letter (preferred) • References Contact Information (3 required) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Information Technology Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ​ FLSA Status Exempt ​ Pay Range $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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