A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how you will align with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) at the University of Michigan (U-M) seeks a skilled Media Systems Engineer to lead the technical development and integration of media asset workflows, storage, and retrieval systems. This role will utilize various techniques, including programming and Generative AI, to enhance operational efficiency across CAI's media asset management systems for online learning, XR programs, and digital archives. As a Media Systems Engineer, you will develop custom applications, automate workflows, and integrate AI-powered solutions, directly collaborating with CAI's Media Technology, Media Design, and XR teams. You will be responsible for implementing scalable solutions that leverage a range of technologies, including generative AI, to improve media production and data management processes. You will serve as CAI's technical lead and system owner for the enterprise MAM solution, representing the center in vendor selection, implementation, governance, and ongoing operations. This position will report to the Director of Technology Infrastructure and Support.

About the Center for Academic Innovation

Through curricular innovation, tools for student success and equity, and educational research and analytics, the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation is building the future of education. Our vision is a future in which education connects and empowers learners everywhere to reach their full potential throughout their lives. To realize our vision, we make it our mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong educational opportunities for learners everywhere.

About the Technology Infrastructure and Support Team

The TIS team builds and maintains the robust technology foundation that enables innovation at the Center for Academic Innovation. We ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of the CAI's media, IT, and learning infrastructure, supporting everything from studio production and XR experiences to course platforms and internal systems. Our work spans Michigan Online infrastructure, AV systems design, IT support, media asset management, cloud storage, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery planning. We collaborate closely with Creative Studios, Operations, and product engineering teams to deliver seamless technical experiences for learners, faculty, and staff. Whether designing resilient workflows, managing cross-functional support models, or piloting next-generation tools, the TIS team plays a critical role in advancing CAI's mission at scale.

For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation

• Serve as the technical owner of CAI's enterprise Media Asset Management (MAM) platform, responsible for its reliability, scalability, and long-term evolution.
• Design, implement, and maintain software, automation, and integrations that support media asset management workflows and daily operations.
• Define and maintain metadata schemas, taxonomies, and asset structures to ensure media assets are discoverable, reusable, and durable over time.
• Lead MAM governance collaboratively with creative, technical, and operational stakeholders, ensuring governance decisions are consistently implemented in systems and workflows.
• Design, document, and maintain end-to-end media workflows spanning ingest, production, review, distribution, and long-term archival.
• Implement automation and system improvements to increase efficiency, consistency, and quality across media production and asset management processes.
• Evaluate and implement AI-assisted capabilities (e.g., automated tagging, transcription, search, analytics) using a human-in-the-loop approach to maintain accuracy and trust.
• Manage and evolve media storage, backup, and archival solutions, supporting the transition from legacy systems to modern, scalable architectures.
• Design and support integrations between the MAM platform and related systems, including storage, editing tools, learning platforms, and archival environments.
• Lead onboarding, documentation, and training to support adoption of MAM workflows, tools, and AI-assisted processes.
• Continuously assess emerging media technologies and tools, recommending and implementing solutions that support CAI's long-term production and data management needs.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Media or Broadcast Technology, Business Systems Administration, Library and Information Sciences, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 2 - 4 years of professional experience in a media-rich technical environment, with demonstrated responsibility for complex systems, workflows, or platforms.
• Experience in software development, automation, or scripting, with proficiency in Python, JavaScript, or a similar language, applied to system integration, workflow automation, or platform support.
• Experience working with or supporting APIs, system integrations, and cloud-based platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), or a demonstrated ability to quickly learn these technologies.
• Experience with media production environments and media or digital asset management systems (MAM/DAM), including an understanding of how technical systems support creative workflows.
• Working knowledge of media storage, backup, and archival practices, including networked storage and long-term data retention; experience supporting or migrating archival systems is welcome.
• Demonstrated interest in and practical use of emerging technologies, including automation and AI-assisted tools, to improve workflows, data quality, and system reliability.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to operate independently on complex technical challenges while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders and partners, balancing competing needs through a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences and work effectively in interdisciplinary, multicultural environments.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and adaptability in a fast-evolving media and technology landscape.
• A positive, collaborative mindset and demonstrated commitment to teamwork, continuous learning, and shared ownership of outcomes.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Please Note: This is a 5-year term-limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.
 

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

The mode of work for this position is Hybrid with a minimum of 4 days in the office per week, Monday through Thursday, with an option of remote work on Fridays. On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite on Fridays if necessitated by our center's policy and domain leadership or by your job requirements.

The salary for this position will be based upon the selected candidate's education and experience.

Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

Salary Information

The general salary range for this position is $95,000 - $105,000. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position and salaries that are currently established within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

Organizational Statement on Harassment

We believe all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and have the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and a safe space for collaboration. Any concerns shared with any staff members and student employees in the Center for Academic Innovation will be reported to the Equity, Civil Rights, & Title IX Office to be reviewed and addressed, and the Center for Academic Innovation encourages reporting of any forms of harassment including sexual and gender-based harassment.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.
Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.