The Systems Integration Specialist is part of the Networks team in University Technology Services (UTS) and plays a key role in delivering and advancing the University’s enterprise network infrastructure, with a strong and specialized focus on campus-wide Wi-Fi services. Reporting to the Senior Manager, IT Networks, this role leads the design, implementation, and optimization of high-performance wireless environments, ensuring reliable, secure, and seamless connectivity across academic, research, and administrative spaces. Working closely with campus partners and IT teams, the role supports the full lifecycle of network initiatives while driving continuous improvement in Wi-Fi coverage, capacity, and user experience.

Experience and Skills

- Demonstrated experience supporting and integrating enterprise network infrastructure, with hands-on expertise in large-scale wireless environments.
- Strong understanding of Wi-Fi technologies, including RF fundamentals, wireless design principles, and performance optimization in high-density campus settings.
- Experience configuring, operating, and troubleshooting Cisco wireless solutions, including access points, controllers, and related management platforms.
- Ability to analyze wireless coverage, capacity, and client performance issues using diagnostic tools, monitoring systems, and spectrum analysis.
- Solid knowledge of core networking concepts (routing, switching, VLANs, DHCP, DNS, QoS) and how they integrate with wireless infrastructure.
- Proven ability to collaborate with stakeholders to assess requirements, plan deployments, and support the full lifecycle of network initiatives.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage priorities, respond to incidents, and contribute to continuous improvement in a agile IT environment.
- Effective communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Job Summary The Systems Integration Specialist acts as a lead technical and consulting resource to various University departments and units with respect to the planning, implementation, and maintenance of information technology systems. Supports the University's research, academic and administration departments by acting in a functional capacity in all phases of the Project Life Cycle for medium to large projects, including post-production support and ongoing maintenance. Continuously gains an understanding of the University's operations and processes and how systems are used in support of those operations.

Creates, maintains, and manages multi-user, production quality campus-wide computing environments that involve computers, servers and associated hardware, software and facilities. Facilitates the selection of new information processing, computing technologies, information security and services across the University. Provides expertise in leading and participating in the technical architecture planning and acquisition of development projects and the documentation, final preparation, and introduction of new systems and services into the production environment.

Key Functions:

- Act as an on-site project manager, responsible for managing projects from inception to completion.




- Plan and establish project framework and identify project milestones to ensure the project is completed according to project specifications and within specified timelines.
- Design, develop, implement, and evaluate functional specifications for a variety of highly complex University application systems.
- Complete feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses and translate technical flow into business terms.
- Coach and mentor junior staff in order to ensure a highly motivated and technically competent team.
- Participate in the development of capital project charters and cost justifications.
- Lead the ongoing design and support for technology in server and related environments, data network infrastructure and related environments, datacenter technology and facilities, storage area network and other storage related environments, voice network infrastructure and related environments, and information security infrastructure and other related environments.
- Critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details, abstract up from low-level information to a general understanding, and distinguish user requests from the underlying true needs.
- Elicit requirements using interviews, document analysis, requirement workshops, surveys, site visits, business process descriptions, use cases, scenarios, business analysis, and task and workflow analysis.
- Perform advanced levels of analysis, problem solving and research skills to formulate solutions to complex business needs.
- Conduct gap analyses.
- Develop strategies for implementing new services and upgrades on production systems.
- Troubleshoot computer system issues that may require an end-to-end evaluation of University wide systems often spanning multiple heterogeneous hosts and locations across the University and with external service providers.
- Ensure the availability and performance of the current production storage, information processing, and computing environment in assigned and related areas of the organization.
- Test system architecture in order to minimize risks to the production systems.
- Investigate, evaluate, compare, and demonstrate new hardware and software products, and current computing techniques which could enhance the University’s computing, information processing, and network environment.
- Undertake study and pilot projects to assess and select commercial technology alternatives.
- Provide technical assistance to individual user groups, user support, and operational staff in the introduction and development of specialized systems and services.
- Ensure individuals conform to organizational information processing, use of network, and computing standards through the proper publication and awareness of policies.




- Plan and coordinate the technology refresh for large and complex interconnected systems.
- Contribute to the development of cost and time estimates for the technical architecture components of project implementation.
- Deliver workshops and demonstrate new technologies to campus staff as systems are being implemented.
- Prepare and present training for user support and operational staff through technical seminars and documentation.
- Prepare procedures for restoring systems to full operation after hardware and software component failures on both production and test systems.
- Prepare contingency plans for recovering services and operations after incidents including, but not limited to, power blackouts, water damage, or structural building failures and contribute to the planning and development of disaster recovery scenarios.
- Undertake projects such as performance monitoring and capacity planning to monitor the overall reliability and effectiveness of the computing systems and information processing architecture including storage area networks.
- Liaise with computer vendors, other institutions, and associated computer user groups as a means to maintain communication between all parties involved in technical projects and day-to-day operations.
- Design, implement, and document support processes, procedures, and mechanisms that inter-connect heterogeneous systems in support of the integration of processes and data flow.
- Gather and compile information and create reports and graphs for capacity planning, and performance metrics.
- Prepare technical specifications and requests for quotes from suppliers and requests for proposals.
- Participate in negotiations with suppliers to discover options and acquire the most cost effective solutions for technology requirements.
- Utilize the appropriate control tools to coordinate projects according to Project Management Office methodologies.
- Develop success criteria and risk assessments for projects and changes.
- Develop, implement, and document best practices to align with departmental and University strategies and processes.
- Work independently with users to define concepts.
- Ensure that projects meet specified functionality requirements.
- Prepare and review recommendations and other project initiation documents.
- Document system functionality, particularly related to new enhancements.

Additional skills and experience:

- Experience supporting large-scale enterprise Wi-Fi deployments, ideally in environments with thousands of access points.
- Familiarity with Cisco wireless platforms, including access points, controllers, and cloud-based or centralized management systems.
- Knowledge of wireless site survey methodologies, RF design tools, and spectrum analysis techniques.
- Understanding of wireless performance tuning, high-density design considerations, and client behavior across diverse device types.
- Experience with authentication and security technologies used in enterprise wireless networks (e.g., 802.1X, RADIUS, certificate-based access).
- Exposure to network automation, scripting, or monitoring platforms that enhance wireless visibility and operational efficiency.

📌 SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SPECIALIST (NETWORKS) (Canada)
🏢 McMaster University
📍 Canada