Principal IT Architect

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Principal IT Architect with 8–10 years of progressive technical experience to lead and modernize a complex IT/OT environment. This role is 80–90% technical and architecture-focused, with 10–20% people leadership responsibilities overseeing a small engineering team.

This is not a strategic, high-level director role. The ideal candidate is a deeply technical architect who remains close to the infrastructure, actively designs solutions, and participates in implementation. Candidates who have been removed from hands-on work for several years will not be a fit.

The Principal IT Architect will play a critical role in driving digital transformation, reducing technical debt, and designing next-generation infrastructure across a growing manufacturing and field-based operational footprint.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Design and implement next-generation IT/OT network architecture.

• Lead Zero Trust Architecture initiatives (early-phase implementation).

• Oversee modernization and cleanup of significant legacy technical debt.

• Architect scalable infrastructure supporting 300–400 field sites with SCADA telemetry over cellular.

• Improve network segmentation (VLANs, WiFi, OT/IT separation).

• Support buildout of a new 400,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.

• Ensure proper separation and security of cloud-based IT and on-premise OT environments.

Infrastructure & Environment

• Lead architecture across:

  • Fortinet (IT/OT firewalls and networking)

  • VMware (on-premises virtualization)

  • Microsoft Azure (cloud infrastructure)

  • SaaS-heavy application landscape

• Maintain and evolve a Microsoft-centric ecosystem (no AWS strategy).

• Support a distributed footprint including two Houston-area facilities and multiple remote field locations.

Team Leadership

• Provide technical leadership to:

  • Network Engineer

  • SCADA Engineer

  • OT Engineer

• Collaborate closely with cybersecurity leadership.

• Report directly to the CIO and work alongside senior IT leaders.

• Contribute to team expansion as the department grows to five members this year.

Required Qualifications

• 8–10 years of hands-on IT infrastructure and architecture experience.

• Proven experience designing scalable enterprise network architectures.

• Strong background in:

  • Fortinet networking/security

  • VMware (on-prem)

  • Microsoft Azure

  • Hybrid IT/OT environments

• Experience implementing network segmentation and Zero Trust principles.

• Demonstrated ability to architect infrastructure supporting distributed field operations.

• Track record of long-term tenure and commitment in prior roles.

• Willingness to work on-site 3–4 days per week in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting OT environments and/or SCADA systems.

• Experience supporting large facility buildouts or manufacturing environments.

• Prior experience leading small, highly technical teams.

• Demonstrated ability to clean up legacy environments and drive digital transformation.

What Will Not Be a Fit

• Candidates primarily from MSP or consulting environments.

• Individuals with 3–4+ years in purely director-level roles removed from hands-on work.

• Candidates with a pattern of short-term (annual) job changes.

• Individuals seeking rapid promotion or using the role as a stepping stone.

Work Environment

• On-site presence required 3–4 days per week.

• Physical presence is essential for troubleshooting and collaboration.

• Manufacturing setting requiring a hands-on, solution-oriented mindset.

• Occasional remote flexibility, but not a remote-first role.