Senior Physical Security Systems Engineer

USC’s Administrative Operations IT department is seeking a Senior Physical Security Systems Engineer to provide support for physical security technologies supporting the Department of Public Safety and the university community.

Reporting to the Director of Admin Operations IT, this position serves as a subject matter expert and technical resource for USC’s mission-critical physical security technology environment, including access control, video surveillance, alarm monitoring, radio system, wireless mesh and related technologies.

The role combines systems engineering and administration with complex troubleshooting, technology planning, project leadership, and the evaluation of emerging technologies. The Senior Physical Security Systems Engineer will independently lead complex technical work while partnering with USC’s Department of Public Safety, university departments, technical teams, vendors, and contractors.

The successful candidate will be an experienced security technology professional who thrives in a mission-critical environment, demonstrates sound technical judgment and a sense of urgency, and can balance strategic projects and system improvements.

· Administers, maintains, monitors, and supports enterprise physical safety technologies, including access control, video surveillance, alarm monitoring, radio system and related systems.

· Provides advanced technical support and troubleshooting for complex security technology issues. Identifies root causes, restores service, and develops solutions that improve system stability and reliability.

· Leads security technology projects involving system upgrades, migrations, deployments, expansions, integrations, and modernization initiatives. Develops implementation and testing strategies, project documentation, rollback plans, and other technical deliverables.

· Designs, configures, tests, commissions security hardware and software solutions. Supports integrations with applications, network infrastructure, cloud services, and third-party technologies.

· Researches emerging technologies, software releases, hardware solutions, cloud technologies, and industry best practices. Recommends improvements that enhance system reliability, security, operational efficiency, and business value.

· Develops and maintains technical documentation, standard operating procedures, troubleshooting guides, system diagrams, configuration standards, testing procedures, and operational workflows. Identifies opportunities to improve processes, maintainability, and service delivery.

· Provides technical support and subject matter expertise for physical security technologies.

· Collaborates with university departments, public safety personnel, technical teams, vendors, consultants, and contractors. Participates in project meetings, design reviews, job walks, and technology planning sessions and coordinates vendor activities related to installations, maintenance, upgrades, warranty support, and issue resolution.

· Protects sensitive security information, system data, and access credentials and supports compliance with university policies, security standards, and applicable requirements.

· Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any times.

The regular work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Because this position supports mission-critical public safety and security technologies, on-call and after-hours availability is required. The position participates in a rotating on-call schedule, currently consisting of approximately one week of on-call coverage within a 6-person team.

During an assigned on-call period, the employee may be contacted directly to respond to critical system issues. Based on technical expertise and business needs, the employee may also be asked to assist with critical incidents outside of their scheduled on-call rotation.

System upgrades, maintenance, emergency response, and other operational needs may occasionally require work during early mornings, evenings, weekends, university holidays, and USC Winter Recess. Winter Recess coverage is staggered across the team to maintain support for critical safety systems.

This is primarily an onsite position supporting USC's physical security and public safety technology environment. Based on business needs and with management approval, the position may have the opportunity to work remotely up to one day per week.

The role combines systems administration and engineering with field-based support throughout the USC environment. Approximately 10% of the position may involve field-based work, including security assessments, job walks, equipment and technology evaluations, troubleshooting, and project support. The amount of field-based work may fluctuate based on operational and project needs. Occasional travel between USC locations may be required.

• Bachelor’s degree. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Five years’ experience in systems administration, and proven expertise with backups, operating systems programming languages and associated hardware platforms.
• Proficiency administering one or more enterprise physical security platforms such as Genetec Security Center, Lenel OnGuard, Bosch/Manitou, L3Harris Radio, Siklu or similar systems.
• Demonstrated success leading technology projects involving upgrades, migrations, deployments, or system integrations.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills across complex software, hardware, networking, and infrastructure environments.

• Six years of experience
• Technical certifications pertinent to the servers and systems assigned/supported.
• Background supporting higher education, healthcare, public safety, government, or other large enterprise environments.
• Experience with access control, video management systems, alarm monitoring systems, and radio systems
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and change management practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop technical documentation, operational procedures, and knowledge management resources.
• Industry certifications related to physical security systems, networking, cybersecurity, project management, or relevant technology platforms.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Employee Benefits

USC offers a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families.

This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being. USC employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans and the work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust, and synergy amongst all its members. Join us!

The annual base salary range for this position is $132,366.00 - $144,000.00 When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

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