Principal Engineer - Systems (Term-Limited Appointment)

Salary range is $116K to $224K with a midpoint of $170K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a term-limited position with an expected position duration of 3 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction and in conjunction with the Server Engineer Manager, provides technical leadership to the Agencies Server and Transit System engineering operations to ensure secure and reliable Server System infrastructure. Partner with various business partners, such as the architecture team, to plan for and develop future state Server infrastructure; Troubleshoots technical problems/issues, coordinates activities with other divisions, programs, departments, and outside agencies; ensures success of the Agency and Transit commuter and link Servers; provides other administrative Server engineering support to department as directed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Subject matter expert and mentors other Server staff.
• Troubleshooting, resolving difficult Server problems.
• Oversees and provide guidance on the technical aspects of Server projects.
• Helps disperse and prioritize workload.
• Provides engineering guidance in the Server domain to other departments.
• Handle incident and service requests.
• Maintains technical expertise in all areas of Server infrastructure and computer hardware and software interconnection and interfacing, such as routers, multiplexers, hubs, bridges, gateways, etc., and remains knowledgeable on new and emerging technologies in the Servering space.
• Coordinates solutions with outside vendors, users, and information technology staff and manages Server communication projects with various vendors.
• Provides support in developing, integrating, testing, and evaluating local and wide area Servers.
• Creates and supports new Servering environments.
• Integrates new technologies with existing technologies by creating detailed system migration plans.
• Ensures the integrity and security of the Server infrastructure.
• Monitors system to control and monitor Server traffic.
• Plans configuration changes and resolves complex installation problems.
• Devises and implements strategies for connectivity to other systems through the use of various Servering equipment such as switches, routers, and firewalls.
• Coordinates, communicates, implements, and documents changes and processes.
• Researches, identifies, evaluates, procedure, tests, and configures Server systems including hardware and software.
• Oversees the acquisition, installation, and implementation of Server equipment, components, infrastructure, and support systems; works with outside vendors to obtain, implement, and maintain data cabling, internet access, data circuits, and other components.
• Coordinates Server operations, support, and disaster recovery.
• Serves as project manager on Server related projects.
• Develops standards and plans for monitoring Server operations to identify performance and capacity issues; measures volume and performance of Server traffic.
• Identifies utilization and performance issues.
• Develops plans and implements new technologies and services to satisfy capacity and performance requirements; and establishes and maintains technology and operation standards.
• Provides support to the department on matters as directed.
• Serves as staff on a variety of committees.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment.
• Ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.
• Ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field; Eight years of experience in systems architecture and design in enterprise environments, virtualization platforms (e.g. VMware vSphere, Hyper-V), cloud infrastructure management (e.g. Azure, AWS, or hybrid environments), network and systems administration, automation and scripting (e.g. PowerShell, Python), disaster recovery and business continuity planning, security and compliance (e.g. managing hardening, patching, and audit processes), technical project leadership and cross-team collaboration; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Resilient and high availability Server design experience.
• ITIL v3 or v4 foundational knowledge, operations, services, and activities of corporate information systems.
• Expert knowledge in Agile or other Project Management Methodologies.
• Expert knowledge of Server switching and routing technologies, service provider technologies, VPN, LAN/WAN Servers and datacenter technologies.
• Familiar working with multiple vendors including Juniper, Cisco and Brocade, Fortinet, F5, and the ability to quickly learn new vendors and technologies.
• Configure and monitor using monitoring applications such as Solarwinds, Intermapper, PRTG, and Cacti.
• Understand the operational characteristics of a variety of computer and Server systems, applications, hardware, software, and peripheral equipment.
• Expert troubleshooting abilities and maintenance of Server operating systems and problems.
• Procurement, inventory, and asset management of IT equipment.
• Project and operational management of a technology programs.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Ability to managing large projects, upgrades, in a fast-paced enterprise and unique transportation environment.
• Engineer and perform administration, configuration, and monitoring of all Server equipment and Server infrastructure (switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, VPN concentrators, etc.).
• Designing, implementing, and operating secure and manageable switched and routed Servers.
• Ability to document and update all Server infrastructure and supported business processes.
• Familiar with ensuring that all Server equipment configurations and supporting applications are backed up and tested on a regular basis.
• Understand pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to work independently, under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position is responsible for occasional travel between sites or data centers. Position is also responsible for moving servers and rack equipment. May be subject to bending, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, standing, talking, seeing, and carrying and lifting over 50 pounds.
• Position is part of a standard team on-call rotation.
• Position requires weekend and night shifts for server patching, on-call support, and any major upgrades that require work during non-revenue hours.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.