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.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate clear and accurate information to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Produces clear, concise, accurate written information that is appropriate for the intended audience.
  • Accurately translates technical information to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.
• 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.
  • Effectively identifies, analyzes, reports, and resolves technical problems, schedule changes, and cost increases.
  • Successfully works on multiple assignments with changing priorities in a fast-evolving technology environment. 
  • Conducts root-cause analysis for technical problems and situations using sound, logical judgment based on data, research, and experience that leads to relevant insights and optimal solutions.
  • Demonstrates strong time management skills and professionally manages projects on time and within budget.
  • Knowledge of software and hardware installation, integration, operation, and routing and translations within the wireless switches and other core network elements (Routing and Translations in Ericsson, Nortel and Star-Solutions MSC Nodes).
  • Understanding of engineering principles such as high availability, redundancy, reliability, security, testing, and standards.
• 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.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with Visio, MS-Project, Adobe Acrobat, Vender Element Managers.

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.

• Provide strategic direction and technical expertise across multiple engineering domains, ensuring high availability, scalability, and security of critical communications infrastructure.
• Function as project engineer for highly complex projects, implementing solutions that ensure service level commitments are met across multiple departments.
• Successfully manage multiple large, complex projects and concurrent initiatives on time and within budget.
• Review and approve technical documentation, final engineering designs, and service requirements, providing technical direction for issue resolution.

Additional Competencies:

• Expert knowledge of engineering principles such as high availability, redundancy, reliability, security, testing, and standards.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex multi-layer network issues.
• Ability to translate business requirements into long-term network strategy, architecture, and technology investments.
• Ability to partner with cross-functional teams to drive enterprise-wide telecom initiatives and architecture adoption.

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.

Relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.

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.
• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
• Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.
• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions. 
• Ability to work flexible schedules as required by business/customer needs. 
• Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary. 
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
• Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.

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. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services. 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. All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.