River Valley Holdings is a family-owned distribution company based in Syracuse, NY, serving retail customers across the northeastern United States. The River Valley family of companies: River Valley Food and Cavallaro Foods distributes a wide range of specialty dry and frozen grocery items and consumable products out of warehouses in Syracuse, NY.

Position Overview

The Infrastructure Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for the execution, stability, and reliability of the company’s IT infrastructure. This role focuses on hands-on systems and network administration, proactive issue prevention, and high-quality technical execution under the direction of the Infrastructure Manager.

Success in this position requires strong technical competence, ownership of assigned responsibilities, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

This role supports the company’s STRIVE values—Safety, Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, Value, and Empowerment by ensuring employees can rely on stable, secure, and well-supported technology systems.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure & Systems Administration

• Administer and maintain physical and virtual server environments to ensure stability, performance, and availability.
• Install, configure, monitor, and back up servers in accordance with company standards and security requirements.
• Manage Active Directory, including user accounts, group policies, permissions, and access controls.
• Administer email systems and print servers, ensuring reliability and appropriate access.
• Monitor system health and performance, proactively identifying and addressing potential risks before outages occur.

Network Administration

• Support and maintain network infrastructure, including switches, routers, and wireless environments.
• Troubleshoot network connectivity and performance issues, serving as an escalation point for complex incidents.
• Configure and maintain VPNs, firewalls, and network security controls in alignment with cybersecurity best practices.
• Plan and execute network infrastructure upgrades and improvements.

Endpoint & Desktop Environment (Escalation-Level)

• Maintain and support standardized desktop and endpoint environments.
• Serve as an escalation resource for complex desktop, hardware, or application issues.
• Deploy and maintain operating systems, updates, and applications in accordance with IT standards.
• Partner with IT support staff to identify root causes and prevent repeat issues.
• Provide limited training or guidance to end users when required.

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Execute system patching, updates, and vulnerability remediation activities.
• Support backup, disaster recovery, and incident response processes, including periodic testing.
• Implement security controls and system hardening measures as defined by IT leadership.
• Participate in security audits, risk assessments, and remediation efforts as assigned.

Documentation & Process Discipline

• Create and maintain accurate technical documentation for systems, networks, configurations, and procedures.
• Ensure documentation is current, accessible, and detailed enough to support continuity and troubleshooting.
• Follow established IT change management and escalation procedures.

Project Execution & Task Management

• Execute assigned infrastructure projects and initiatives on time and with high quality.
• Accurately estimate effort and timelines for assigned tasks.
• Prioritize work based on direction from the Infrastructure Manager and business impact.
• Communicate progress, risks, and issues clearly and proactively.

Customer Service & Communication

• Provide professional, respectful, and responsive support to internal users.
• Clearly communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrate patience, empathy, and accountability when resolving issues.
• Escalate risks or unresolved issues appropriately and in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience supporting production IT infrastructure environments.
• Strong experience with:
  • Windows Server environments
  • Active Directory administration
  • Virtualized server platforms (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V)
  • Network fundamentals (switching, routing, VLANs)
• Experience with backup systems and disaster recovery processes.
• Familiarity with IT security best practices and data protection principles.
• Experience working with ticketing systems and structured support workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with firewall configuration and network security tools
• Experience implementing and configuring network switches (Ubiquiti experience preferred)
• Infrastructure monitoring and alerting tools
• Scripting or automation experience
• Exposure to cloud or hybrid environments (if applicable)
• Experience supporting multi-site organizations

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• High attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Willingness to be accountable for outcomes, not just tasks

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional travel to company sites as needed.
• Participation in an off-hours support rotation as required.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation Range: $75,000 - $90,000 per year

Work Schedule:

• This position is full-time and located in our Firestone facility (not remote). Additional travel between our three (3) Syracuse-based facilities will also be required.
• Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm

Benefits: 

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes: 

• Flexible Paid Time Off 
• Company paid holidays 
• Health, prescription, and dental insurance 
• Life and disability insurance  
• Supplemental insurances 
• 401 (k) with company match
• Employee assistant program  
• Employee purchase program 

River Valley Holdings is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)