Senior Email Engineer

Transform the Way the World Connects

At the University of Washington (UW), our work goes beyond the borders of our campuses-it shapes communities, drives innovation, and changes lives across the globe. As a UW employee, you'll be part of a deeply mission-driven institution committed to building stronger minds and a healthier world. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive.

About UW Information Technology (UW-IT)

UW-IT is the central hub for information technology at the University of Washington, powering innovation in teaching, learning, research, and service. From cutting-edge global research to life-saving healthcare to administrative systems that support 80,000+ students and staff-we're the team that makes it all possible.

Application Process:The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

We support all three UW campuses, UW Medicine, and global research initiatives, delivering mission-critical IT infrastructure, services, and support. Innovation and discovery fuel our work and drive our contribution to the university's impact around the world.

The Role: Senior Email Engineer

Are you passionate about scaling enterprise email systems that keep a global academic institution connected and secure? Do you thrive in high-availability environments, and have a knack for engineering elegant solutions to complex communication and cybersecurity challenges?

We are looking for an experienced Senior Email Engineer to lead the architecture, sustainment, and security of UW's enterprise-scale email infrastructure-supporting over 5 million messages a day and 80+ email domains.

You'll join a dynamic, collaborative team responsible for ensuring the seamless operation of core email services, enhancing deliverability, and safeguarding the UW community from emerging threats.

Your Impact

As the Senior Email Engineer, you will:

Be a technical leader for one of the most mission-critical communication systems at UW.

Manage and enhance email infrastructure serving over 700,000 identities, supporting academics, administration, and patient care.

Ensure security at scale through advanced use of Proofpoint, Sendmail, Postfix, and open-source technologies.

Play a key role in UW's cybersecurity posture, helping to defend against spam, phishing, and data loss.

Architect and automate robust, future-ready email workflows using Python, shell scripting, and modern DevOps practices.

Key Responsibilities

Email Infrastructure Engineering (60%)

Design, implement, and maintain secure, reliable enterprise email systems using Sendmail, Postfix, and Proofpoint.

Provide Tier 3 engineering support and lead resolution of escalated technical issues.

Develop tools and scripts to monitor, automate, and optimize email delivery and threat protection.

Collaborate with stakeholders to tailor infrastructure solutions for evolving organizational needs.

Operations & Reliability (20%)

Ensure email system uptime and performance through proactive monitoring and SLA adherence.

Lead incident response and recovery for outages and security events.

Continuously improve operational documentation, runbooks, and resilience strategies.

Consulting & Engagement (10%)

Serve as a trusted advisor to internal teams, ensuring email solutions align with security and compliance requirements.

Represent UW-IT in cross-functional forums and industry discussions on best practices and trends.

Professional Development & Leadership (10%)

Mentor peers, contribute to team strategy, and shape the roadmap for email infrastructure services.

Stay current with emerging technologies and participate in professional communities and conferences.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field, or equivalent experience.

4+ years of hands-on experience managing Proofpoint, Sendmail (including m4 macros), and complex email systems in a Linux environment.

Deep understanding of internet mail standards (SMTP, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and email threat mitigation.

Experience diagnosing deliverability issues and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, GLBA).

Strong scripting and automation skills (e.g., Bash, Python, Perl).

Excellent communication, documentation, and troubleshooting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Microsoft Exchange and Postfix.

Familiarity with secure cloud or hybrid environments, including Microsoft GCC High.

Exposure to DLP strategies and ITIL practices.

Prior experience in higher education or a large-scale research institution.

Working Environment

Hybrid work flexibility available.

Participation in an on-call rotation is required; must be responsive during off-hours for critical incidents.

A satisfactory criminal background check may be required upon hire.

Why Join UW-IT?

Be part of something bigger: your work directly supports world-changing research, patient care, and education.

Collaborate with top-tier professionals in an inclusive, intellectually rich environment.

Great work life balance starting with 11 paid Holidays and 15 vacation days your first year.

Benefit from a highly competitive benefits package, professional development opportunities, and a culture of lifelong learning.

Make an impact at one of the world's leading public universities-apply today and help us power the future of communication at UW.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at or

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.