Architect engineer iv (systems)

GCI's Architect Engineer IV will provide technical leadership and governance across network and product initiatives by establishing standards, approving designs, and guiding solutions through their full lifecycle. Ensure that products and architectures align with long-range planning (LRP), lifecycle standards, and business requirements while maintaining consistency, quality, and operational readiness. Act as a key liaison with internal and external stakeholders, leading design approvals, standards development, ABR activities, and product evolution to support reliable, scalable, and sustainable network solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

Architecture & Industry Standards

• Serve as the technical authority for complex, high-impact initiatives, making independent and collaborative architectural decisions and advising management on architecture, industry standards, and engineering best practices.
• Develop, maintain, and govern system architecture and design standards, ensuring alignment with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational objectives.
• Lead architectural evaluations of manufacturer and vendor solutions, including product assessments, standards compliance reviews, and technical risk analysis.
• Define and oversee test plans and validation activities to ensure new technologies and designs meet performance, reliability, and operational requirements.
• Maintain awareness of advancements across multiple engineering disciplines and incorporate relevant innovations into architecture and standards as appropriate.

Planning & Design

• Develop, maintain, and execute detailed 1–2-year capital plans while providing strategic input into 5-year technology roadmaps to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Lead and execute formal design approval processes to validate architecture, mitigate risk, and ensure deployment and operational readiness.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop departmental short- and long-term objectives, budgets, and policies, ensuring alignment with corporate strategies and technology roadmaps.
• Establish and oversee performance measurement frameworks, including Key Performance Indicators (KPI), advanced monitoring, and reporting on network system performance.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary liaison with strategy, program, product, and capacity management teams, providing guidance and alignment across complex company initiatives.
• Lead technical reviews and design discussions, providing authoritative guidance on architecture decisions, trade-offs, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as the primary vendor liaison and ABR host by coordinating technical reviews, facilitating architecture and design discussions, and ensuring vendor solutions align with organizational standards, requirements, and lifecycle strategy.

Focus Areas – Systems / Applications

Additional Job Requirements:

• Strong understanding of enterprise systems architecture, including server platforms, virtualization, storage, operating systems, and data center infrastructure.
• Experience developing technology and business roadmaps for Technology Planning & Engineering, with the ability to align system design decisions to operational, engineering, and project delivery objectives.
• Ability to provide technical leadership, define design standards, and guide engineering and operations teams through sanctioned project development and execution phases.
• Experience serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for complex initiatives involving multiple technical disciplines, stakeholders, vendors, and project resources.
• Working knowledge of systems lifecycle management, including requirements definition, design review, implementation planning, operational handoff, monitoring, and ongoing support.
• Ability to coordinate technical deliverables, identify risks and dependencies, and support phase gate recommendations for cross-functional project teams.

Protocols & Standards:

SMTP NTP DHCP NFS DNS SNMPv3 SMB LDAP TCP/IP TLS SSH Syslog CISA KEV HTTPS REST API

Hardware & Software:

Data Center Server Hardware Data Center Power Systems Racks & Hardware Network Management Systems Grafana Statseeker Cacti Zenoss NetApp Cisco UCS Adtran AudioCodes Power BI Python / Java / Perl Bash Shell Scripting Kibana BIND Linux / Unix Windows Server VMware / Xen / KVM / QEMU vSphere vCloud vCenter RunDeck AppLogic Oracle Unified Assurance Solarwinds Orion

Preferred Certifications:

Red Hat Certified System Administrator VMware Certified Professional VMware Advanced Professional CompTIA Linux+

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY - Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.
• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
• COMMUNICATION - Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
• RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
• TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY - Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.

Additional Job Requirements:

This is a senior level position within the discipline functioning as a subject matter expert (SME). Demonstrates advanced knowledge and proficiency in areas of responsibility with general working knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines. Performs highly complex and unique tasks and job duties, receiving minimal to no instruction on routine work and new assignments. Works under minimal supervision with wide latitude for independent judgment. Provides mentorship and functional leadership to junior staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Required: A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or relevant field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive engineering experience in information technology, development, and managing moderate to complex technical projects within telecom environments, or related background.

Preferred:

Experience within the telecommunications industry.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Some travel to remote sites throughout Alaska and to lower 48 States may be required.
• Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
• Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency.

Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.

EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.

DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.