Infrastructure Architect, Sr.

Description

Infrastructure Architect

JOB SUMMARY: This position is part of the Technology Organization (TO) Infrastructure Services (IS), which has responsibility for electrical and mechanical infrastructure in data center facilities; edge, aggregation, and core telecommunications; data and voice networks and firewalls; and Windows, Linux, and UNIX servers, hypervisors, storage, backup, and integration technologies. This position is an infrastructure consulting architect responsible for:

• Consulting on new/changing infrastructure needs by listening, translating, guiding, and advising

• Facilitate infrastructure requests to ensure every need is met and can be integrated into our environment, regardless of where it is hosted or what organization manages it

• Identify a set of standard solutions that may span multiple technology areas, working with core Infrastructure Services groups who engineer and support these solutions

• Partner with other architects in IS and other organizations to revise or adjust standards as appropriate

• Lead the design/engineering of new solutions for which standards do not yet exist

• Proactively engage with assigned client group(s), such as to share significant planned infrastructure changes

• Research industry guidance, frameworks, and best practices

• Represent Infrastructure Services in the Technology Validation Process (TVP) and Enterprise Security Architecture Review Board (ES-ARB)

• Participate in architectural reviews conducted as part of Asset Resilience, and provide input into the Asset Resilience architectural requirements

• Provide continuity between requests, understanding of the assigned client(s) broad use of infrastructure and unique needs

• Understand how the business and IT groups use infrastructure technologies today, future business needs, and the architectural direction for the future

• Share communications, awareness, and high-level education about infrastructure technology strategy to assigned client group(s)

• Contribute to best practices sharing, such as capacity planning

• Serve in on-call rotation as Escalation Manager for Critical Situation Process

JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills )

Job Requirements

• Broad knowledge of all infrastructure technologies, with strong technical knowledge and hands-on experience in more than one infrastructure technology area

• Understanding of rules and regulations that govern the use of technology, such as NERC CIP and Sarbanes-Oxley, as well as internal policies

• Ability to define and articulate the “big picture” long-term vision for the infrastructure, and develop short term plans to achieve it.

• Ability to analyze information from multiple sources for complex problem resolution.

• Ability to design / engineer infrastructure solutions to maximize resiliency while minimizing cost and complexity.

• Ability to create and evaluate reference technical architectures and ensure enterprise-wide buy-in, adoption, adherence and implementation

• Ability to organize tasks and coordinate various employees, vendor / contractors, and customers / partners to meet project goals.

• Ability to work independently, prioritizing major tasks by overall impact to the company.

• Ability to communicate and work with all levels of management, vendors, and other internal and external groups.

• Ability to effectively to lead committees and teams, train personnel, and make presentations.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s in Computer Science or an Engineering field strongly preferred; four (4) years of relevant technical experience is an acceptable substitute.

• A minimum of five (5) to eight (8) years of service (depending on job level), providing engineering and/or support for infrastructure technologies. When relevant technical experience is substituted for a degree, the minimum experience requirement increases by four (4) years.

Competencies

• Comprehensive leadership skills recognizable by others inside and outside the team

• Strategic thinker that can embrace, influence, and lead change.

• Effectively organize tasks, manage multiple priorities, meet schedules, and deliver on commitments

• Ability to negotiate with and influence others – internally as well as with vendors

• Ability to establish and nurture relationships at all levels of the organization

• Takes ownership of work assignments and personal development

• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) as well as technical writing

• Excellent presentation skills and ability to relate and connect with a variety of audiences

• Ability to articulate business drivers and how information technology can be applied to meet the requirements in business terms.

• Ability to simplify complex subjects in a way that can be easily understood by less technical audiences

• High degree of focus on quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness

• Recognition of cyber security threats and risks, and importance of protecting the infrastructure

• Capacity and desire to learn and apply new technologies and concepts

• Superb diagnostic, troubleshooting, analysis, and problem-solving skills

• Self-motivated, takes initiative, is proactive, and habitually removes obstacles for success

• Curious and creative, always questioning, and never satisfied by the status quo

• Assess impact and quantify risk to ensure appropriate business decisions are made

• Demonstrate Southern Company Values

JOB LOCATION:

The successful candidate must reside in AL, GA, MS, or IL, within a commutable distance to a company facility.

#LI

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries . The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications . Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top energy companies in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Field: Information Technology

Job Type: Standard

Primary Location: Georgia-Metro Atlanta-Atlanta

Operating Company: Southern Company Services

Other Locations: Alabama-Metro Birmingham/Eastern AL-Birmingham

Job Type: Standard

Travel (Up to...): Yes, 25 % of the Time

Work Location(s):

Georgia Power Headquarters - 241 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE (241ATLANTA)

241 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE

Atlanta, 30308

APC Corporate Headquarters - 600 North 18th Street (600BIRMINGHAM)

600 North 18th Street

Birmingham, 35203

Req ID: SCS2011326