Director, Infrastructure Engineering

Columbia Sportswear; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear seeks a Director of Infrastructure Engineering to lead global infrastructure strategy, modernization, and operation. You will guide cloud, network, compute, storage, and platform services while partnering with Architecture, Security, Product, and business leaders to align tech initiatives with Columbia's growth.

The role requires strategic vision with deep technical execution, strong leadership, and the ability to balance modernization with reliability and cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in IT, CS, Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years leading infrastructure in complex enterprise environments.
• Experience with cloud, network, compute, storage and platform services.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the infrastructure strategy and technology roadmap.
• Lead modernization across cloud, network, compute, storage and operations.
• Guide multi-cloud and hybrid cloud initiatives (Azure & AWS).
• Mentor managers and engineers, promoting technical excellence.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Azure

AWS

Hybrid cloud

Leadership

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/Engineering

Job description

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.

At Columbia, we're as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we're proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.

Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: "It's perfect. Now make it better." As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.

We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.

And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Technology enables every part of Columbia Sportswear's global business, from ecommerce and retail to supply chain and corporate operations. We're seeking a Director of Infrastructure Engineering to lead the strategy, modernization, delivery, and operation of our global infrastructure environment.

In this role, you will lead teams responsible for cloud, network, compute, storage, and infrastructure services while helping shape the future of Columbia's technology platform. Working closely with Architecture, Engineering, Security, Product, and business leaders, you will drive infrastructure initiatives that enhance scalability, reliability, security, and operational excellence across the enterprise.

This position is ideal for a leader who combines strategic vision with strong technical expertise. You will influence long-term technology direction while remaining connected to the engineering challenges and architectural decisions that support Columbia's global growth. Success in this role requires the ability to balance modernization, operational performance, and business priorities while delivering resilient technology solutions at scale.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Define and execute the infrastructure strategy and technology roadmap supporting Columbia's global business.
• Lead infrastructure modernization initiatives across cloud, network, compute, storage, and operational platforms.
• Drive multi-cloud and hybrid cloud transformation efforts across Azure and AWS environments.
• Partner with architecture, engineering, and security teams to design scalable, secure, and resilient solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance during major incidents, operational challenges, and infrastructure change initiatives.
• Develop and mentor high-performing managers and engineers while fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Build strong partnerships across Digital Technology and business teams to align technology investments with business priorities.
• Oversee key infrastructure vendors, managed service providers, and strategic technology partnerships.
• Manage infrastructure budgets and investments while balancing cost, risk, performance, and business value.

YOU ARE

• A strategic infrastructure leader who remains closely connected to technical execution.
• Comfortable engaging directly with engineers to solve complex technical and operational challenges.
• Skilled at balancing long-term modernization goals with day-to-day operational excellence.
• A collaborative partner who can build alignment across technical and business teams.
• A systems thinker who understands how infrastructure, applications, security, and operations work together to deliver business outcomes.
• An authentic people leader who develops talent and builds highly engaged teams.
• An effective communicator who can translate complex technical concepts for a variety of audiences.

YOU HAVE

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of progressive infrastructure leadership experience within complex enterprise environments.
• Experience leading infrastructure engineering teams supporting cloud, network, compute, storage, and platform services.
• Strong experience with Azure, AWS, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Experience leading cloud migration and infrastructure modernization initiatives, including lift-and-shift programs.
• Deep understanding of enterprise networking, network architecture, and network segmentation.
• Experience improving infrastructure operations through automation, observability, and service management practices.
• Demonstrated success leading geographically distributed teams and delivering results through influence and collaboration.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, technology budgets, and infrastructure investments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience implementing or maturing a CMDB.
• Experience with AIOps, event correlation, or modern service management practices.
• Experience supporting retail, ecommerce, supply chain, or other customer-facing environments.
• Experience within the apparel, footwear, retail, or consumer products industry.

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. At Columbia Sportswear Company, we're proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family's financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.