Distributed Systems Architect / Systems Engineering Lead (ES)

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Distributed Systems Architect / Systems Engineering Lead at the Pickle Research Campus. You will lead the design of mission-critical, multi-node systems with a focus on fault tolerance, scalability, and API interfaces.

You will elicit requirements, guide system decomposition, and mentor engineers while coordinating with stakeholders across the Space and Geophysics Laboratory and Applied Research Laboratories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or engineering and 3+ years in distributed systems.
• Experience designing fault-tolerant, highly available, scalable systems.
• Experience with APIs and interface specifications.
• Strong written/verbal communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance performance, reliability and complexity in architecture.

Responsibilities

• Elicit system scope and requirements from stakeholders for large-scale designs.
• Lead distributed systems architecture, components, interfaces and interactions.
• Communicate progress with stakeholders through reports and briefs.
• Participate in Agile processes, backlog management and decomposition.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate across teams.
• Guide lifecycle from systems definition to deployment.

Skills

Distributed systems

Fault tolerance

High availability

Horizontal scalability

APIs and interface specifications

Communication

Team collaboration

Architectural decision-making

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Post-graduate degree in systems engineering or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Structurizr

MBSE tools

C++/Python

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Distributed Systems Architect / Systems Engineering Lead (ES)

Hiring Department:

Applied Research Laboratories

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details:

Purpose

The Space and Geophysics Laboratory (SGL) delivers capabilities to government customers for various applications, from real-time data-intensive network operations spanning geographically distributed sites to standalone remote field systems.

We are seeking a distributed systems architect to lead the design of mission-critical systems that span multiple nodes, sites, and networks. They will serve as a technical leader within the laboratory in the areas of distributed systems architecture, fault tolerance, scalability, and design.

As a key member of a team of engineers, you will be responsible for eliciting systems scope from stakeholders, guiding the development of requirements, translating requirements into systems designs, guiding the decomposition of those systems into components of actionable units of work, and advising all stakeholders throughout the life-cycle, from systems definition to implementation.

Responsibilities

• Elicit system scope and requirements from stakeholders for use in systems designs
• Lead the development and evaluation of the distributed systems architecture and design, including scope, requirements, components, interactions, and interfaces
• Communication of work process, products, and results, including documentation, written reports, and briefs presented to stake-holders
• Participate in Agile process, backlog management, and project decomposition into components and actionable units of work
• Coordinate with and provide support to stakeholders throughout the life-cycle of the systems definition, design, implementation, integration, and deployment;
• Perform engineering estimates, guide project schedules, and identify dependencies
• Conduct engineering evaluations, such as trade studies, reliability analysis, functional analysis, risk analysis assessments
• Mentoring of junior engineering staff, technicians and students
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, in science, applied science, or engineering
• Three years of relevant professional work experience, including architecting and/or design of distributed, large-scale networked, real-time, or high-availability systems
• Demonstrated experience designing systems for fault tolerance, high availability, and horizontal scalability across multiple nodes or sites
• Experience with distributed systems concepts including consensus, replication, partitioning, messaging, and eventual/strong consistency models
• Experience in designing/maintaining formal APIs and Interface Specifications
• Demonstrated ability to design, develop, evaluate, and support the development of large and complex systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate technical detail to staff and stakeholders of varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, with a strong commitment to contribution and enabling the entire team.
• Demonstrated ability to make architectural decisions balancing performance, reliability, and operational complexity

US Citizen. Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at the level appropriate to the project requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in systems engineering, engineering management, engineering mechanics, operations research, industrial engineering, or related field;
• Twelve or more years of relevant professional work experience, including eight years or more years in the architecting and/or design of distributed, large-scale networked, real-time, or high-availability systems
• Immediate or previous eligibility to classified information.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes), infrastructure as code, and cloud platforms (e.g. AWS)
• Experience with streaming/messaging systems (e.g. Pulsar), real-time data streams, and TCP/IP networking at scale;
• Work experience specific to GNSS observation and navigation data;
• Demonstrated experience participating in an Agile project management using Jira or similar Agile management tools;
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and techniques (experience with Structurizr is a plus);
• Demonstrated experience in software development using C++/Python;
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0

General Notes

An agency designated by the federal government handles the investigation as to the requirement for eligibility for access to classified information. Factors considered during this investigation include but are not limited to allegiance to the United States, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations, drug involvement, the likelihood of continuation of such conduct, etc.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays

Salary Range

$104,000-$174,000+/negotiable depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Some weekend, evening and holiday work
• Possible interstate/intrastate travel

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest
• Unofficial college transcripts

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.