Infrastructure Architect

SCT resources have a broad range of skills in different technologies. The large skill-set has been made possible by a conscious focus on strengthening our skills base. Every person selected for our team brings something new, something that adds to our offerings. We learn continuously, both on the job and through formal training programs.

IT Infrastructure Sr. Architect - Infrastructure, Technology Services 

The IT Infrastructure Architect - is a senior IT role with the Technology Architecture team, part of Enterprise Architecture Group.

The role will be responsible for the development of the IT technical infrastructure strategic directions for the Compute and Storage domains in order to support organizational business objectives and initiatives. The deliverables include technology road maps, policies, standards and frameworks to guide the evolution of IT technical infrastructure and provide technology guidance to project teams, business units and service development initiatives for internal and external services.

The IT Architect -

*         Define the principles guiding technology decisions for the enterprise, develop and implement policies and standards related to infrastructure technology architecture. Formulate strategies and plans for short-term and long-term technology architecture that support the business needs.

Oversee the evaluation and selection of hardware and related product standards and the design of standard configurations.

*         Participate in setting technology directions for the evolution of Compute and Storage infrastructure.

*         Derive IT technical infrastructure requirements to support business goals and objectives.

*         Constantly follow technology trends, evaluate maturity and enterprise readiness for products and technologies and make recommendations.

*         Build and document IT technical road maps for Compute and Storage infrastructure and services.

*         Manage the introduction of technology changes based on set strategic directions.

*         Execute proof of concepts for technical components and complete systems in order to validate assumptions, test functionality, measure performance characteristics and confirm ability to integrate.

*         Build architectural proposals for technology changes that demonstrate fulfillment of business objectives, operational supportability and efficiency (TCO).

*         Create and document IT infrastructure standards.

*         Provide IT technical infrastructure guidance to business units and service development initiatives.

*         Document architectural policies and frameworks

*         Review and approve technical designs in order to ensure alignments to architectural standards.

*         Design and coordinate the implementation of an enterprise-wide technical architecture based on business requirements and IT strategies and then directs the activities associated with ensuring compliance with the enterprise infrastructure architecture. Communicate the technology

infrastructure to IT staff, management, community sites, and project teams.

*         Architect and implement highly available & scalable Directory, Messaging and authentication solutions that not only meet business needs and rapid growth but also protect valuable corporate data and applications.

*         Research and analyze market, technology, and industry trends and standards related to technologies that affect network, security, server infrastructure, and other platforms for the purposes of determining potential impact on the enterprise and the suitability of different approaches in

solving emerging business needs.

*         Provide recommendations & analytics on the use and evolution of IT architecture.

*         Participate in the procurement of technology solutions through the RFI, RFQ, and/or RFP process including creating and evaluating the RFP for large enterprise-wide infrastructure systems initiatives. Liaise with outside vendors, reviews bids and/or negotiates equipment and/or service

contracts, and makes recommendations where necessary to the Manager. Monitor the level of support to ensure requirements and expectations of the contract(s) are met.

*         Coordinate technical planning for corporate large-scale systems initiatives, working closely with business units, functional area managers, senior IT team and architecture team members to define the goals, objectives and plans that direct systems design and implementation activities.

Resolve problems and scheduling conflicts and provides status updates and reports.

*         Provide expert technical advice and consultation by performing analysis, formulating recommendations for proposed technology changes, and by providing input into application development and into the use of new technology for inclusion in the technology architecture. Provide consultation

and advice to senior management on infrastructure technology alternatives and solutions.

*         Develop annual goals and objectives for the area of responsibility, in collaboration with the Manager, Architecture & Security, ensuring consistency with department plans and authority objectives and strategies.

Qualifications

*         Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering or a related study or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

*         Seven (10) years of recent related experience in a large, complex organization including experience with all infrastructure layers (server, storage, network, applications and virtualization technologies)

*         A solid understanding of Active Directory, OU, GPO, PKI, FIM and security for design and deployment in a large multi forest environment

*         Previous experience with large AD consolidation and migration projects is desirable.

*         Advanced knowledge of the theory and principles of computing.

*         Experience in the architecture/design of complete systems including compute, storage, networking and security infrastructures is required.

*         Experience in mission critical 24x7 environments is required.

*         Full technology lifecycle experience is required.

*         Advanced knowledge of x64 blade server hardware from enterprise class vendors.

*         Strong working knowledge of mid and high end RISC servers.

*         Advanced knowledge of x64 server virtualization technologies

*         Advanced knowledge of at least one Unix/Linux variant and working knowledge in another operating system.

*         Strong working knowledge of MS Windows.

*         Advanced knowledge of large scale storage management systems with both file and block level access.

*         Advanced knowledge in storage networks and connectivity including FC, iSCSI, FCoE.

*         Advanced knowledge of storage array based copy services like replication, mirroring and snapshots.

*         IT Architecture

*         Advanced knowledge and understanding of IT Architecture governance models.

*         Advanced knowledge of the role, responsibilities and deliverables of IT Architecture in large enterprises.

*         Advanced knowledge of ITIL & COBIT  practices.

*         Advanced knowledge of TOGAF.

*         Strong working knowledge of networking and security technologies.

*         Strong working knowledge of large scale data protection systems.

*         Working knowledge of database management systems and middleware.

*         Advanced knowledge of architecture and design of & fault tolerant systems.

*         Strong working knowledge of site recovery architectures and designs.

*         Advanced knowledge of the principles of architecture and design of large computing clusters and farms.

*         Advanced knowledge in distributed computing architectures and designs for scalability, availability and resilience.

*         Strong working knowledge of computing as a service and cloud based services - IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.

Required Skills & Abilities:

*         Strong communication and leadership skills.

*         Comfortable to communicate and present to peers and all levels of management.

*         Strong analytical, problem solving and decision making skills.

*         Able to understand, analyze and evaluate new concepts, products and technologies.

*         Comfortable working with less well-defined problems by making assumptions and presenting alternative solutions.