Principal Software Engineer, EA Tech Optimization (Remote)

Position Purpose:

The Enterprise Architecture (EA) Principal for Technology Optimization is responsible for implementing modern, lightweight EA practices to optimize the health and performance of the technology environment while reducing complexity and cost. This position partners with technology architects and leaders across the enterprise to build alignment on standards and best practices and leads efforts to grow adoption and ensure compliance:
• Publish and maintain IT principles and standards to guide technology decisions and lead governance to ensure compliance
• Define best practices to manage the end-to-end lifecycle of technology systems and coordinate the development of roadmaps to refresh and optimize systems
• Develop best practices to define and manage performance of technology operations (KTLO – “keep the lights on”) and lead initiatives to drive continuous improvement
• Lead efforts to rationalize and simplify the technology landscape to optimize quality and performance

The Principal will be instrumental in driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization

Key Responsibilities:
• Strategy & Planning (40%)
• Introduce repeatable, sustainable processes to manage technical health and resilience throughout the system lifecycle and reduce complexity and duplication in the environment
• Coordinate with technology architects and leaders to develop IT principles and standards across technology portfolios (e.g. stores, online, ..) and domains (e.g. applications, platforms, data, infrastructure, cybersecurity)
• Design and implement changes to strategic planning processes to incorporate lifecycle management and technology optimization priorities
• Identify opportunities for consolidation and elimination of redundant technologies

Delivery & Execution (40%)
• Coordinate the development of roadmaps to proactively refresh and optimize systems
• Support governance processes to ensure compliance with standards and best practices.
• Define and build alignment on KTLO optimization strategies to ensure efficient operation of existing systems; develop and operationalize key metrics to monitor and manage performance
• Lead coordination of initiatives to rationalize and simplify the technology landscape and reduce complexity and duplication.
• Regularly review and update standards to reflect evolving best practices and emerging technologies.
• Regularly report on key metrics and provide insights for continuous improvement.

Support & Enablement (20%)
• Provide guidance and coordinate with architecture leaders across the company to foster best practices and continuous improvement
• Evangelize the successful usage of EA practices; field questions from teams and encourage cross-team collaboration
• Ensure proper planning, implementation, and retirement of technology solutions
• Drive EA thought leadership and innovation within the organization; perform research and benchmarking, meet with vendors, build relationships at other companies, and maintain knowledge of industry innovations

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:
• Typically reports to the Software Engineer Manager or Sr. Manager, Technology Director or Sr. Director.

Travel Requirements:
• Typically requires overnight travel less than 10% of the time.

Physical Requirements:
• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position, and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasion,s there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:
• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Must be eighteen years of age or older.
• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.
• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• 5-7 years of related technology optimization experience in technology architecture, engineering, or operations, or a relevant consulting role.
• Strong understanding of IT principles, standards, and governance frameworks, and familiarity with lifecycle management and optimization strategies (technology domains or KTLO).
• Strong business acumen and understanding of technology environments
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated project management skills; ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to relate openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to understand and apply different stakeholder perspectives to find mutually beneficial and positive outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and presentation software (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint).

Minimum Education:
• The knowledge, skills, and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor’s degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job.

Preferred Education:
• No additional education

Minimum Years of Work Experience:
• 6

Preferred Years of Work Experience:
• No additional years of experience

Minimum Leadership Experience:
• None

Preferred Leadership Experience:
• None

Certifications:
• None

Competencies:
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm
• Business Insight: Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances
• Global Perspective: Taking a broad view when approaching issues; using a global lens
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations