Principal Systems Engineer

Colonial Pipeline Company•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Principal Systems Engineer is responsible for the architecture, design, implementation, automation, configuration, and support of complex enterprise infrastructure across on-premises, cloud, hybrid cloud, IT, and Operational Technology (OT) environments. The role improves reliability, resiliency, security, scalability, and operational efficiency while serving as a senior technical subject matter expert and leading medium-to-large technology initiatives. The position is based in Alpharetta and requires approximately 20% travel. Colonial Pipeline transports refined products through the largest refined products pipeline system in the United States, serving more than 50 million Americans. The company describes itself as a safety-focused employer offering opportunities for employees to grow and develop their careers.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
Eight years of progressively responsible experience implementing, administering, engineering, and managing complex enterprise technology infrastructure.
Demonstrated experience designing or supporting production workloads in Microsoft Azure.
Advanced experience with Windows Server, RHEL/Linux, VMware or comparable virtualization technologies, Microsoft 365, and enterprise infrastructure services.
Experience with cloud compute, storage, virtual networking, identity and access management, monitoring, backup, disaster recovery, governance, security, and cost management.
Experience with infrastructure as code, configuration management, automation, and scripting using Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates, Ansible, PowerShell, or comparable technologies.
Knowledge of SAN/storage, Active Directory, Entra ID, PKI, SQL Server, IP address management such as Infoblox, networking, and cybersecurity practices.
Understanding of hybrid connectivity, workload migration, cloud shared-responsibility models, least-privilege access, encryption, logging, secrets management, and policy enforcement.
At least one relevant certification in cloud, operating systems, virtualization, automation, or enterprise infrastructure.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, architecture, project management, communication, and technical leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Advanced engineering or technology-focused degree.
Experience supporting OT or critical infrastructure, including pipelines, power distribution, railways, or other highly regulated operational environments.
Experience designing cloud landing zones, hybrid network connectivity, cloud governance models, disaster recovery solutions, or workload migration programs.
Experience with Azure Policy, Azure Monitor, Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, Key Vault, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, AWS Control Tower, AWS CloudWatch, or comparable cloud services.
Experience with container platforms, platform engineering, CI/CD pipelines, Git-based workflows, or automated infrastructure testing.
ITIL certification or practical experience with IT service management processes.
Experience with Ansible Automation Platform (AAP), SAN technologies, industrial data centers, SCADA, or Industrial Control Systems.
Knowledge of pipeline operations and infrastructure resiliency within critical infrastructure environments.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, configure, maintain, and support enterprise infrastructure across on-premises, cloud, hybrid cloud, IT, and OT environments.
Engineer and support compute, storage, virtualization, operating systems, cloud platforms, identity integration, monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery capabilities.
Improve system reliability, performance, security, availability, and operational efficiency through automation, observability, preventive maintenance, and lifecycle management.
Develop and maintain infrastructure-as-code, configuration-management, and scripting solutions using technologies such as Terraform, Bicep, Ansible, and PowerShell.
Apply cloud architecture and governance practices, including landing zones, identity and access controls, networking, security guardrails, resource organization, policy enforcement, monitoring, and cost management.
Evaluate workloads for modernization, migration, re-platforming, or continued on-premises operation based on business, security, reliability, supportability, and cost requirements.
Install, configure, optimize, and troubleshoot servers, storage, virtualization platforms, operating systems, cloud services, and related infrastructure.
Develop and maintain system standards, procedures, architecture documentation, technical roadmaps, and operational support practices.
Serve as a senior technical subject matter expert and escalation point, providing technical direction, guidance, and mentorship to engineering and support teams.
Lead medium-to-large infrastructure and modernization projects, managing scope, timelines, resources, vendors, risks, and budgets.
Research and recommend technologies and automated solutions that reduce technical debt, strengthen security, improve resiliency, and simplify operations.
Support infrastructure security, change management, incident and problem management, service continuity, and continuous improvement initiatives.