IT infrastructure engineer job description.
Hiring an IT infrastructure engineer or stepping into a systems-focused role? This IT infrastructure engineer job description outlines responsibilities like maintaining network and server environments, responding to incidents, and delivering secure, scalable systems. It also highlights required skills, career routes into architecture or management, and UK salary expectations.
What does an IT infrastructure engineer do?
An IT infrastructure engineer designs, implements, and maintains the technology infrastructure that underpins business operations. This includes servers, storage, virtualisation, cloud services, and network systems.
Key tasks include monitoring performance, deploying system updates, automating provisioning, and ensuring high availability. They also support backup and disaster recovery processes.
In small teams, they may manage full infrastructure stacks. In enterprise environments, they specialise in platforms like VMware, AWS, or Microsoft 365 and collaborate with security and DevOps teams.
Key responsibilities of an IT infrastructure engineer.
IT infrastructure engineers manage the design, implementation, and maintenance of core systems. Responsibilities often include:
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Installing, configuring, and maintaining servers, networks, and storage
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Supporting cloud and on-prem infrastructure using platforms like Azure or VMware
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Implementing disaster recovery and backup solutions
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Monitoring system performance and identifying bottlenecks
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Ensuring high availability and resilience of infrastructure components
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Supporting patch management and vulnerability remediation
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Collaborating with network, security, and support teams
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Managing tools for logging, monitoring, and alerting (e.g. SolarWinds, Zabbix)
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Maintaining infrastructure documentation and runbooks
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Participating in upgrade or migration projects
This role blends infrastructure maintenance with scalable system design and support.
Skills and requirements for an IT infrastructure engineer.
Infrastructure engineers design and maintain core IT systems. Employers typically look for:
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3–6 years of experience in infrastructure, networks, or systems support
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Experience managing servers, firewalls, and network configurations
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Strong understanding of virtualisation tools like VMware or Hyper-V
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Skilled in Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and VPN setups
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Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Azure or AWS
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Experience implementing monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery plans
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Ability to troubleshoot complex performance and connectivity issues
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Strong documentation and change control skills
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Confidence working on migrations and infrastructure upgrades
Most infrastructure engineers ensure secure, scalable, operational systems.
Average salary for an IT infrastructure engineer.
In the UK, the average salary for an IT infrastructure engineer typically ranges from £45,000 to £60,000, depending on systems managed, project work, and certifications.
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Mid-level infrastructure engineers tend to earn between £45,000 and £52,000
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Senior engineers working on migrations, cloud platforms, or complex networks may earn between £53,000 and £60,000
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Microsoft, Cisco, or cloud platform certifications often lead to enhanced offers
Top roles are found in mid-sized enterprises, MSPs, and tech-forward organisations.
Career progression for an IT infrastructure engineer.
An IT infrastructure engineer plays a critical role in supporting, configuring, and optimising the systems that keep a business running. This role often leads into architecture or managerial positions within IT operations. A typical career progression includes:
IT support engineer / 2nd line support
Provides hands-on support for user systems, assists with server maintenance, and manages escalated issues.
IT infrastructure engineer
Takes ownership of physical and virtual infrastructure — including networks, servers, and cloud-based systems. Implements upgrades and ensures operational continuity.
Senior infrastructure engineer
Leads larger-scale infrastructure projects such as server migrations or hybrid cloud deployments. Collaborates with cybersecurity, DevOps, and vendor partners.
IT infrastructure manager
Oversees infrastructure teams and day-to-day operations. Aligns system architecture with business goals and uptime requirements.
Head of IT infrastructure
Owns the organisation’s entire infrastructure landscape. Defines strategic direction, vendor management, and long-term scalability across global or enterprise-level systems.
salary guide
Our UK IT salary guide.
Infrastructure engineers build and maintain systems that support network, cloud, and endpoint performance. Pay should reflect platform scale and depth of experience.
Our UK IT salary guide includes salary benchmarks, 2024 comparisons, hiring insights, and 2026 projections to help you plan ahead.
FAQS
IT infrastructure engineer FAQs.
Businesses with complex on-prem, hybrid, or cloud-hosted environments — including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, universities, and public sector bodies — often require dedicated infrastructure engineers. Demand is particularly high in organisations undergoing digital transformation or system upgrades.
Most UK roles expect fluency in Windows Server environments, Active Directory, virtualisation (VMware, Hyper-V), backup systems, and cloud platforms like Azure. Exposure to networking, PowerShell scripting, and monitoring tools is often part of the remit.
SysAdmins maintain daily operations and apply updates, while infrastructure engineers plan and deliver upgrades, re-architect systems, and often act as escalation for root cause analysis. Their role is proactive and project-based as well as operational.
Engineers often progress to infrastructure architect, technical consultant, or infrastructure manager. Others move laterally into cloud engineering, DevOps, or cyber security specialisms.
