Senior IT Network Architect

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Senior IT Network Architect is an individual contributor responsible for leading the development of network and connectivity architecture and strategies for Xcel Energy's IT and OT environments. This role owns long-term network strategy, architectural governance, and technology roadmap development across a geographically distributed utility infrastructure that spans four operating regions in 8 US States. This role partners closely with Network Engineering, Cyber Security, IT Infrastructure Operations and OT Architecture teams to deliver resilient, compliant, and forward-looking network solutions. The successful candidate will also provide technical leadership and mentorship to architecture and engineering staff and will represent network architecture in multi-disciplinary project teams and governance forums.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Technology, Science, Business or related field, or 4 years of experience equivalent to the position.
Ten years of related functional experience.
Architecture acumen across multiple domains including network, infrastructure, software, hosting models, mobile platforms, and security.
Exposure to diverse systems, technologies and processing environments in a large Corporate setting.
Project solution architecture experience.
General knowledge of core aspects of enterprise architecture (Software, Hardware, Network, Integration, Data, hosting models, platform types, etc.).
Strong analytical, problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
Extensive knowledge of future technology trends within area of expertise.
Demonstrated leadership on technical aspects of large scale projects.
Excellent communication skills, effective with varying organizational levels and skill sets.
Excellent Relationship Management and collaboration skills, with a track record of working as one team cross-organizationally to drive innovation and business results.

Nice To Haves

Enterprise security boundaries.
Traffic segmentation, routing and security policies.
NERC/CIP compliance space in partnership with other SMEs.
Strategy and collaboration with operations for the connectivity of the Corporate network.
Collaboration with OT teams related to infrastructure and connectivity in OT environments.

Responsibilities

Review project work efforts to ensure that they are compliant with architectural standards.
Track and manage exceptions to standards.
Develop and maintain architectural reference diagrams, architecture decision records (ADRs), and standards documentation.
Participate in Architecture Review Board (ARB) processes.
Continuously improve operational processes.
Assess, report, and make recommendations to eliminate operational risk related to technology or architecture.
Provide consultation and direction to delivery and operational teams on optimal architecture for respective solutions.
Maintain network architecture strategy and roadmap, as well as governance and documentation.
Lead work cross-organizationally through coaching and feedback, and through significant interactions and influence with leaders.
Participate in hiring, skills assessment, and professional development planning for the network pod.
Govern work efforts to ensure alignment with reference architecture, IT strategy and policy.
Collaborate cross-organizationally and provide technical guidance and mentorship to network architects and engineers.
Contribute to architecture road maps and provide input to technology roadmaps.
Ensure the domain IT Strategy align with Enterprise Architecture framework and standards.