IT INFRASTRUCTURE ARCHITECT

State of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

2d•$107,031 - $174,628•Onsite

About The Position

The IT Infrastructure Architect will function as the Deputy Director for the Arkansas State Broadband Office (ARConnect), supporting the office’s strategic and operational management and Arkansas’ efforts to expand reliable, high-speed internet access. The role emphasizes broadband infrastructure deployment, federal grant administration, project management, and organizational execution. It reports directly to the State Broadband Director and requires on-site employment; remote and hybrid options are not available. The position also carries senior-level responsibility for designing, implementing, and optimizing Arkansas’s IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, cloud solutions, storage, and data systems. The architect works with state agencies, IT leaders, departments, vendors, and other stakeholders to integrate technologies, improve infrastructure performance and resilience, and ensure security, compliance, interoperability, and alignment with state goals. Responsibilities include cloud strategy and migration, disaster recovery and business continuity planning, infrastructure project leadership, and advising senior leadership on infrastructure matters. The position supports oversight of broadband projects and funding programs, including BEAD and other state or federal broadband initiatives. It coordinates project schedules, budgets, construction progress, grant agreements, reimbursements, reporting, monitoring, compliance, contractor performance, and stakeholder engagement. It also assists the State Broadband Director with office operations, staff coordination, strategic planning, performance management, executive briefings, and continuous improvement. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or a related field, and seven years of experience in IT infrastructure design, management, and implementation, including at least three years in a leadership role. Other job-related education or experience may be substituted for some or all basic requirements with approval of the Qualifications Review Committee, except certification or licensure requirements. The listed salary range is $107,031–$174,628. The job posting states that a preferred qualification is an advanced degree or relevant professional certification, such as PMP.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or a related field.
Seven years of experience in IT infrastructure design, management, and implementation, including at least three years in a leadership role.
Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure design and implementation, including systems architecture, networking, storage solutions, and cloud services.
In-depth understanding of on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure.
Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and collaborate with IT professionals, department heads, and external vendors.
Excellent analytical and troubleshooting abilities, including diagnosing and resolving complex infrastructure issues.
Strong understanding of IT security practices and regulations, with ability to design infrastructure that meets compliance standards and protects against cyber threats.
Ability to anticipate infrastructure problems and proactively implement solutions.
Experience managing large-scale IT infrastructure projects from conception to completion.
Skills in resource allocation and timeline management, and ability to deliver projects within budget and on schedule.
On-site employment is required; remote and hybrid options are not available.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience in the telecommunications or broadband industry, including knowledge of network deployment, construction, operations, or project delivery.
Experience managing complex infrastructure projects, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, contractor coordination, risk management, and performance monitoring.
Experience administering, managing, or overseeing federal or state grant programs, preferably involving broadband, telecommunications, infrastructure, or economic development.
Familiarity with federal grant requirements, including financial management, reporting, procurement, monitoring, compliance, and applicable federal regulations.
Knowledge of broadband technologies, including fiber-optic networks, fixed wireless, and other high-speed internet delivery technologies.
Experience with broadband funding programs such as BEAD, ARPA, or other federally funded infrastructure initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, set organizational priorities, delegate responsibilities, and hold individuals and partners accountable.
Strong analytical, financial, and organizational skills, including evaluating project budgets, performance metrics, reimbursement requests, and operational risks.
Experience coordinating with private-sector companies, government agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders to resolve challenges and advance complex initiatives.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including communicating technical, financial, and regulatory matters to diverse audiences.
An advanced degree or relevant professional certification, such as Project Management Professional (PMP).
Other job-related education or experience may substitute for some or all basic requirements upon approval of the Qualifications Review Committee, except certification or licensure requirements.

Responsibilities

Design, plan, implement, and optimize scalable, secure, resilient, and efficient state IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, cloud solutions, storage, and data systems.
Collaborate with state agencies and departments to integrate new technologies and ensure interoperability across on-premises and cloud platforms.
Assess and improve infrastructure performance, reliability, speed, and efficiency while minimizing downtime.
Ensure infrastructure meets security best practices and relevant state, federal, and industry regulations; design security into infrastructure solutions and monitor vulnerabilities and risks.
Lead cloud infrastructure strategy and implementation, manage on-premises-to-cloud migrations, and optimize cloud costs and scalability.
Design, test, and update disaster recovery and business continuity plans to reduce downtime and data loss.
Advise senior leadership, government officials, and stakeholders on infrastructure matters and communicate technical information clearly.
Lead infrastructure-related projects, including system installation, configuration, and maintenance, and ensure delivery within scope, schedule, and budget.
Provide operational oversight of state- and federally funded broadband infrastructure projects; monitor schedules, budgets, construction progress, and contractual obligations.
Support administration of broadband funding programs, including BEAD and other grant initiatives, and oversee grant agreements, reimbursement requests, reporting, monitoring, documentation, financial controls, and compliance.
Assist the State Broadband Director with daily office operations, staff coordination, priorities, internal processes, and execution of critical functions.
Translate strategic priorities into work plans, measurable objectives, timelines, deliverables, and performance indicators.
Support oversight of budgets, grant expenditures, contractor performance, financial reporting, procurement, and contract management; coordinate with Commerce financial, procurement, and legal personnel.
Develop and maintain working relationships with internet service providers, industry representatives, federal and state agencies, local governments, contractors, and other partners; coordinate deployment activities and resolve operational challenges.
Track project progress, organizational performance, compliance obligations, and operational risks; provide updates and recommendations and implement process improvements.
Represent the Arkansas State Broadband Office in meetings and other stakeholder engagements as directed, and assist with policy implementation and executive briefings.