Principal Infrastructure Engineer

Description

JOB TITLE: Principal Infrastructure Engineer

SALARY RANGE: $156,476 - $184,692

HAY POINTS: 775

DEPT/DIV: Information Technology

SUPERVISOR: Manager, IT Client Support

LOCATION: 2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

HOURS OF WORK: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7.5 hours/day) or as required)

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently two days per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation's largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

About Us

The MTA transportation network has very large systems and infrastructure for financial, business, automated train, transportation, power, and physical security. The MTA IT Department is centrally responsible for providing a full range of Information and Operational Technology services to the MTA agencies and administrative units through its operating and support units. Services are provided on a 7/24/365 basis in support of the MTA organization and its ridership.

MTA IT's Infrastructure and Operations division manages and optimizes the day-to-day operation of networks, systems, hardware and software, data centers, service desk, and technical field support. The goal is to provide reliable and robust infrastructure services and steady state IT operations to the employees and agencies of the MTA.

Summary:

This position leads the planning, designing, and maintenance of MTA IT's infrastructure and systems. This role develops and implements strategies for the selection, deployment, maintenance, and support of a broad range of IT infrastructure components. The position is responsible for ensuring the availability, scalability, and performance of the IT infrastructure. This role designs and manages the IT infrastructure and collaborates with other IT teams to ensure the successful implementation of projects and to meet business/customers' requirements. This role requires expert knowledge of server hardware, software configuration, networking, cloud computing, security, and extensive experience with Windows, Linux, and virtualization.

Responsibilities:

• Operates as a Subject Matter Expert across a broad range of Infrastructure technologies and integration with other technologies, both internally and externally.
• Analyzes cross-technology/platform issues and addresses problems by leveraging current and future architectures to ensure optimal performance and reliability across systems.
• Oversees disaster recovery and contingency plans for applicable domain(s) to provide users with minimal interruptions in service.
• Designs/engineers extremely complex, holistic infrastructure environments encompassing application and data requirements into an efficient and resilient infrastructure. Designs/engineers technology infrastructure solutions and platforms supporting complex corporate data and voice infrastructure.
• Possesses vast knowledge of the capabilities and constraints of technologies supported to continually improve system effectiveness and efficiency. Demonstrates a strong understanding of the current and future technology infrastructure architecture, including the interoperability of technologies.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to the management team and provides guidance and training to the IT community to maximize and share learning.
• Leads the evaluation of new technologies and provides recommendations relative to relevant domain(s) to determine applicability to and best meet the needs of MTA and constituent agencies.
• Provides technical insights to RFPs/RFIs and supports contract terms and conditions negotiations with vendors and procurement in consideration of the needs of the business.
• Establishes systems to monitor compliance with architectural standards and to ensure technical integrity.
• Interacts with major providers at the technical expert level to address mission critical issues, evaluates ongoing vendor service level, and monitors SLAs and penalties.
• Leads and provides technical leadership to project teams in areas of expertise to promote technical understanding, talent development, and/or leads teams.
• Takes ownership of selected high-profile, mission critical infrastructure projects, tools, and services.
• Oversees the design, installation, configuration, and maintenance of the physical IT hardware infrastructure components of systems, servers, cloud, storage, routers, switches, firewalls, data centers, and workstations.
• Oversees technical security of the IT infrastructure (e.g., monitoring and managing the configuration of firewalls, managing access controls/operating systems/ database servers, configuring VPNs, and taking proactive measures against potential cyber threats). Enforces defined security protocols, manages access controls, ensures compliance with security standards, and assists in the handling of security incidents.
• Oversees the installation and configuration of operating systems, databases, and utilities according to organizational requirements. Conducts regular monitoring of infrastructure components and tuning them for optimal performance. Identifies, troubleshoots, and resolves performance issues within the hardware/software environment.
• Ensures the implementation of local and wide-area networks (LAN and WAN), configuration of routers and switches, and determination of proper implementation of network and hardware requirements.
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.
• May need to work outside of normal work hours supporting 24/7 operations (i.e., evenings and weekends).
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.
• Provides technical advice to project teams and mentors less experienced staff to foster talent development.
• Observes the work performed by the contractor.
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work meets contractual standards.
• Address performance issues with the contractor when possible.
• Escalates issues to other parties as needed.
• Regular and reliable attendance is expected and required.

Qualifications:

• Education: bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience: 10 years
• Certification(s): Multiple domains require certification in the current platform/domain/technical skills

Technical Skills:

• Advanced understanding of current system usage trends and ability to forecast future needs and optimize capacity during scaling.
• Expert knowledge in configuration management strategies, integrating sophisticated automation tools.
• Expert in Disaster Recovery with data replication configuration, load balancing configuration, and replication technologies.
• Expert in planning and executing large-scale infrastructure deployment strategies and providing high-level support.
• Expert in leading large-scale migrations, with a focus on strategy, planning, and risk mitigation.
• Expert in designing small and large-scale OS deployment and upgrade strategies for diverse environments, including automation and customization.
• Expert in creating patch management policies and overseeing their implementation across large networks.
• Expert in developing performance monitoring frameworks that provide deep insights and proactive solutions.
• Advanced ability to define resource needs for projects and operational tasks.
• Expertise in designing comprehensive infrastructure security frameworks and leading organization-wide infrastructure security initiatives and compliance.
• Expert in server architecture design, performance tuning, and high-level troubleshooting across multiple platforms.
• Expert in orchestrating major upgrade initiatives, including testing and validation processes, for large-scale environments.
• Expert knowledge of network security (e.g., firewalls, network ports, etc.) and connecting enterprise networks to the cloud.
• Expert skills in network routing configuration and troubleshooting.
• Expert knowledge of various hardware components, networking devices, servers, backup systems, and cabling. Intermediate understanding of computing systems and ability to troubleshoot complex hardware/software issues.
• Expert knowledge of various software components, firmware, operating systems, database servers, operations software (monitoring, backup, routing, job scheduling, etc.)
• Demonstrates expert level working knowledge of IT domains.

Behavioral Skills:

• Advanced active listening, attention to detail, customer service, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Expert in working independently and strategically.
• Advanced expertise in identifying and analyzing risks and developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Expert technical knowledge and diverse skillset to understand various technologies, systems, and potential risks.
• Advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Expert in interpersonal and verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with both technical and non-technical peers.
• Expert in managing multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing tasks based on urgency and impact.
• Extensive hands-on experience with related tools.
• Expert experience with working under pressure and meeting deadlines individually and collaboratively. Thinks logically, assesses problems, and is results-oriented.
• Expert in identifying complex business and technology risks and associated vulnerabilities.
• Expert in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, to interact with team members, customers, management, and support personnel (technical and non-technical).
• Expert in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees at all levels within the organization, and with both internal and external customers

Competencies:

Core Competency

Proficiency Level

Competency Definition

Collaborates

Expert

Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives

Cultivates Innovation

Advanced

Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful

Customer Focus

Advanced

Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions

Communicates Effectively

Expert

Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences

Tech Savvy

Expert

Anticipating and adopting innovations in business-building digital

and technology applications

Technical Skills

Expert

Specialized knowledge and expertise on tools, programs, domains, platforms, and products used for specific tasks

Values Diversity

Expert

Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.