Principal IT Infrastructure Architect

This position drives enterprise-wide infrastructure strategy and architecture, specializing in complex IT systems integration. Requires mastery of modern infrastructure technologies while bridging critical connections between IT/Cloud systems, Operational Technology (OT) environments, and Telecommunications platforms. Designs resilient, scalable infrastructure solutions that enable seamless data flow between business applications, industrial control systems, and communication networks. Leads technical initiatives that optimize infrastructure performance, enhance security posture, and ensure reliable integration across IT/OT boundaries, while closely collaborating with Telecommunications teams to align network architecture with enterprise requirements and industry standards.

Essential Functions/Duties:

• Design and govern enterprise infrastructure architecture spanning IT systems, OT environments, and Telecom touchpoints
• Design and implement enterprise-wide infrastructure monitoring, security controls, and operational efficiency measures
• Develop technical standards and guidelines for secure infrastructure between business systems and integration domains
• Lead architecture reviews focusing on infrastructure resilience, security, and cross-domain integration
• Assess current architecture for optimization opportunities across computer, network, and storage systems
• Ensure infrastructure compatibility and integration between systems and services
• Provide strategic consultation on infrastructure modernization and integration strategies
• Research emerging infrastructure and Cloud technologies
• Define toolsets for infrastructure monitoring, system integration, and network management
• Evaluate technology investments across infrastructure domains, focusing on technical debt
• Drive infrastructure modernization focusing on IT/OT convergence and Telecom alignment
• Partner with Telecom teams on network architecture decisions affecting IT/OT systems
• Coordinate integration of IT Network infrastructure and telecommunications solutions
• Research emerging technologies in IT/OT integration, edge computing, and industrial networking
• Guide teams on infrastructure integration best practices, particularly around IT/OT security
• Mentor technical teams on infrastructure best practices
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned,

Enterprise Departmental Requirements:

• Architect enterprise network strategy across WAN/LAN/FAN environments and SDN/SDWAN
• Design secure segmentation between IT/OT systems using next-gen security tools
• Lead hybrid cloud architecture integrating on-premises and multi-cloud platforms
• Establish direct connect and dedicated circuit standards for cloud connectivity
• Direct physical infrastructure specifications following BICSI standards
• Develop enterprise compute strategy across Windows/Linux platforms
• Guide virtualization architecture for compute, storage, and GPU resources
• Define backup/DR frameworks and high availability requirements
• Design edge computing architecture supporting OT integration and AI/ML workloads
• Establish data pipeline specifications for analytics platforms
• Direct unified communications and collaboration infrastructure
• Lead Microsoft 365 and mobile device management architecture
• Oversee carrier-based LTE/5G and satellite communications integration
• Define monitoring requirements across all infrastructure domains
• Guide infrastructure automation and resource optimization initiatives
• Establish infrastructure design principles and standards documentation
• Maintain technology selection criteria and architecture review processes
• Lead infrastructure roadmap development and modernization planning
• Participate in the development infrastructure security frameworks for enterprise-wide protection

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Enterprise architecture (networks, security, cloud, data centers, virtualization, storage)
• Advanced infrastructure technologies (SDN/SDWAN, NextGenFW, direct connect, edge computing)
• Communications platforms (UC, LTE/5G, satellite systems)
• Telecom Infrastructure RFL Exmux, Ciena Carrier Ethernet, TC Communications Jumbo Switch, SEL ICON, RF Radio (900MHz Licensed & Unlicensed)
• Automation and operational tools (DevOps, monitoring, DR/HA)
• Industry standards and compliance requirements
• IT/OT integration and security patterns
• BICSI standards and physical infrastructure
• Infrastructure automation and orchestration
• Performance optimization and capacity planning
• Emerging technologies and innovation trends

Skills and Abilities:

• Enterprise architecture leadership and strategy
• Complex system design and integration
• Security architecture and risk management
• Cloud and data center optimization
• Infrastructure automation and DevOps
• Technology evaluation and vendor management
• Team mentorship and project leadership
• Problem-solving and critical analysis
• Budget and resource optimization
• Stakeholder communication and documentation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Change management and innovation leadership
• Performance optimization and troubleshooting
• Technical roadmap development
• Business relationship management

Addendum

• Network Architecture: Designing and optimizing enterprise-wide network architectures, including WAN, LAN, FAN, and software-defined networking (SDN) solutions. Proven proficiency in switching, routing protocols, network security, load balancing, and traffic management.
• Infrastructure Security: Security principles and experience implementing secure architectures at the hardware and software levels. This includes expertise in next-generation firewalls, IPSEC VPN, SSL VPN, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), Data Loss Prevention, private and public DNS protection and network segmentation strategies.
• Data Center Design: Proven experience in data center design and optimization, including traditional/hybrid designs, power management, rack/cabinet layout, fiber and copper data center distribution systems, interconnects, facility cross-connects, cooling systems and physical security. Familiarity with modern data center technologies such as hyper-converged infrastructure.
• Physical Infrastructure Expertise: Demonstrated experience in physical infrastructure with focus on BICSI certified methods for copper, fiber, power, and all other forms of structured cabling for data center, in-building computer rooms, and remote facility installations. Ability to successfully specify standards for build and quality control results of contracted installations at any facility.
• Server System Administration: Strong background in large scale, server administration of Windows and Linux platforms in on-premise, remote DC and cloud locations including directory integrations, security hardening and any other system dependency. Additionally, design and operation of a successful patch management solution for frequently changing environments based on industry best practices and continued operations of the business.
• Enterprise Backup Solutioning: Design, implementation, and management of enterprise backup platform(s) for all systems with a focus on recovery from simple accidental deletions, security events such as ransomware, or large-scale impact scenarios such as natural disasters.
• Virtualization Technologies: Strong background in server virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V, AHV) and their implementation in enterprise environments. Experience in designing and managing large-scale virtual infrastructures including VDI and GPU accelerated VDI deployments.
• Storage Solutions: Expertise in designing and implementing enterprise storage solutions, including SAN, NAS, and software-defined storage. Knowledge of data replication, backup, & disaster recovery strategies at the infrastructure level.
• Infrastructure Monitoring and Management: Proficiency in selecting and implementing infrastructure monitoring and management tools. Experience in designing systems for proactive performance monitoring, capacity planning, and predictive maintenance.
• High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Demonstrated ability to design highly available infrastructure solutions & comprehensive disaster recovery plans. Experience with geographically distributed systems & data replication technologies.
• Infrastructure Automation: Experience with infrastructure automation tools and practices, including infrastructure-as-code principles applied to hardware provisioning and configuration management.
• Energy Efficiency: Knowledge of green IT practices and experience in designing energy-efficient infrastructure solutions to reduce power consumption and environmental impact.

Education: A bachelor's degree in technology, engineering, or comparable discipline from an accredited college or university; masters degree in business, information sciences, engineering, economics, or finance is preferred.

AND

Experience: Ten (10) years applicable experience in managing strategic initiatives in the utility or technology industry with eight (8) years of successful experience in consultation and deployment of complex technical projects, architecture, design, implementation, and/or support of IT infrastructure.

OR

A comparable combination of education, experience, and training.

License/certifications/registrations:

A valid driver's license is required prior to appointment and must be maintained during employment in this classification.

Industry recognized certifications within a specialty and/or other emerging technologies is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sitting

Up to 8 hours per day

Lifting

Up to 2 hours per day; Up to 50 max pounds

Walking

Up to 5 hours per day

Pushing

Up to 1 hour per day ; Up to 50 max pounds

Standing

Up to 3 hours per day

Pulling

Up to 1 hour per day; Up to 50 max pounds

Bending

Up to 3 hours per day

Climbing

Up to 1 hour per day

Squatting

Up to 2 hours per day

Stairs

Up to 1 hour per day

Stooping

Up to 2 hours per day

Ladder

Up to 1 hour per day

Reaching

Up to 2 hours per day

Stepstool

Up to 1 hour per day

Balancing

Up to 1 hour per day

Excessive heat

Up to 5 hours per day

Twisting

Up to 1 hour per day

Excessive cold

Up to 1 hour per day

Crawling

Up to 1 hour per day

Dust

Up to 1 hour per day

Kneeling

Up to 1 hour per day

Humidity

Up to 5 hours per day

Typing

Up to 5 hours per day

Loud Noise

Up to 1 hour per day

Data Entry

Up to 5 hours per day

Hands in Water

Will not generally apply

Unusual hearing or vision demands:

Other physical demands or notes:

JEA employees should not attempt to lift, pull, or push a load more than 50lbs. without assistance. Care should always be taken when lifting, pushing or pulling in an awkward position.