Systems Architect II - (Azure Cloud Infrastructure, IaC, Networking & Security)

Job Summary

Evaluates, designs, secures, plans, documents, and works with a team to deploy new technologies for CSX. Works closely with business and technical teams to deliver scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud solutions that align with organizational goals. 

Primary Activities and Responsibilities

• Assist in designing highly available, scalable, and secure cloud architectures across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.

• Collaborate with fellow architects, engineers, and technology leadership to evaluate and recommend cloud services, tools, and technologies that meet business needs.

• Support the team with design of automation, management of cloud-based solutions, ensuring alignment with networking, security, compliance, and performance standards.

• Participate in the development of technical documentation, best practices, and architectural frameworks.

• Guide cross-functional teams on cloud networking, connectivity, and resilient multi-region design patterns, including active-active and active-passive configurations.

• Support cloud FinOps practices by promoting cost visibility, resource optimization, tagging standards, and financial accountability across cloud platforms.

• Maintain cloud platform expertise from a financial perspective, understanding cost impacts.

• Knowledge of cyber resiliency principles related to data protection, backup architecture, recovery planning, immutability, and restoration validation across cloud and enterprise platforms.

• Serve as a highest-tier escalation resource for cloud platform reliability, complex incidents, root cause analysis, automation, observability, and service restoration.

• Maintain current knowledge of Azure platform features, service retirements, known issues, roadmap changes, and operational impacts.

• Stay current with industry trends and emerging cloud technologies to contribute to innovation within the architecture team.

• Design and implement agentic AI capabilities to assist with architecture, automation, documentation, analysis, operational support, and continuous improvement across all primary activities and responsibilities.

• Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required in Computer Science, Information Systems/Technology or related major field of study.
• 7 or more years of experience required in engineering/administration.

Equivalent Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma / GED.
• 9 or more years of experience in Information Systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution required in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related major field of study.
• 5 or more years of experience in systems engineering/administration.
• 10 or more years of experience in Transportation/Intermodal Operations, Information Systems, or Logistics
• Recognized industry certifications including but not limited to:
  • Azure Solutions Architect Expert
  • Azure Network Engineer Associate
  • AWS Solutions Architect – Associate
  • Google Professional Cloud Architect
  • OCI Architect Associate
  • CISSP, GIAC, or Other IT Security Certification

Knowledge and Skills

• In depth knowledge and experience of enterprise Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and Amazon Web Services.
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates and integration with GitHub and ITSM.
• In depth knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory, Entra ID, Okta, and other IAM tools.
• Experience with scripting and automation frameworks and languages such as Ansible Automation Platform, Az cli, PowerShell, Python, Bash, and others.
• Solid understanding of networking concepts, security best practices, cloud governance including Datacenter LAN, SD-WAN, MPLS, Firewalls, Load Balancers, and cloud-native networking concepts.
• Knowledge of third-party PaaS/SaaS solutions such as data platforms, CRM, ERP, HCP, and other common industry platforms.
• Ability to communicate fluently orally and in writing, and present complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to rapidly absorb new technical information and apply it effectively

Leadership
The CSX Leadership Model is the foundation of our Talent Strategy and is what drives CSX performance. CSX accordingly selects and develops talent based on each of the following: producing results, creating change, and inspiring excellence.