Lead GIS Architect

Novalink Solutions LLC•Carson City, NV

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead GIS Architect will be responsible for leading solution architecture for ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, and associated services. This role involves architecting data integration solutions, defining architecture patterns for performance and resilience, and translating use cases into scalable solution designs. The architect will also create roadmaps, mentor engineering staff, establish non-functional requirements, and drive operational excellence through observability standards. Additionally, the position serves as a tier-three architectural escalation point for GIS-related incidents and collaborates with Service Desk technicians to troubleshoot complex platform issues. The role requires providing technical direction, reviewing ticket trends, supporting communication for planned changes, and partnering with users to identify architectural improvements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, GIS, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.
9+ years of experience in solution architecture, with 5+ focused on enterprise GIS.
Deep hands‑on experience with ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, and related components.
Strong background in SQL Server, identity management, networking, and security principles.
Experience with FME Flow/Server and advanced data integration patterns.
Proven ability to design and document hybrid cloud/on‑prem architectures.
Demonstrated ability to work across teams and lead architectural decisions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Esri Roads & Highways, and enterprise GIS modernization programs.
Familiarity with Change Management Principles/IT governance processes and enterprise backup/recovery strategies.
Certifications such as Esri Enterprise System Design, FME Certified Professional, GISP, or ITIL.
Prior experience supporting large, distributed operational environments (transportation, utilities, public sector).

Responsibilities

Lead solution architecture for ArcGIS Enterprise (Portal, Server, Pro), ArcGIS Online, and associated services including feature services, map services, and geoprocessing.
Architect data integration solutions using FME Flow/Server, ETL pipelines, and APIs.
Define architecture patterns for performance, resilience, and backup/recovery and CAB governance processes.
Partner with product owners to translate use cases into scalable solution designs; guide designs through security, network, and data architecture reviews.
Create roadmaps, architecture decision records (ADRs), and solution blueprints; mentor engineering staff on architectural patterns and high‑quality implementation practices.
Establish non‑functional requirements (availability, RTO/RPO, latency, throughput) and implement performance tuning strategies for GIS services.
Drive operational excellence through observability standards (logging, metrics, tracing), runbook creation, post‑incident reviews, and continuous system hardening.
Provide architectural leadership for Esri Roads & Highways and other enterprise GIS programs as needed.
Lead architectural direction and oversight for NDOT’s GIS Upgrade Automation initiatives, including coordination with Esri on automated ArcGIS Enterprise upgrade processes, runbook development, and ensuring reliable, repeatable upgrade pipelines across DEV, TEST, and PROD environments.
Serve as the tier‑three architectural escalation point for GIS‑related incidents and service requests routed through NDOT’s IT Service Desk, ensuring timely diagnosis, technical guidance, and durable resolution paths.
Collaborate proactively with Service Desk technicians to troubleshoot complex GIS platform issues (ArcGIS Enterprise, SQL Server, FME Flow, identity/authentication, performance) and ensure clear, actionable resolution steps.
Provide technical direction and repeatable patterns to reduce recurring incidents and improve user experience across divisions.
Review ticket trends with IT GIS leadership to identify opportunities for platform hardening, architectural refactoring, or process improvement.
Support communication related to planned changes, outages, or service impacts in coordination with Service Desk notification processes.
Partner with departmental users to understand issues raised in Service Desk tickets and translate systemic needs into architectural improvements or actionable backlog items.