Systems Solutions Engineer

(IT Architecture - Senior Specialist)

WaTech: Leading the way in technology!

Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) is a national leader in adopting new, innovative technologies that transform the way Washingtonians receive state services. As a member of WaTech's team, you will help other state agencies deliver critical services to millions of Washingtonians every day. WaTech operates the state's core technology services and helps government function more efficiently, safely, and securely.



About the opportunity:

This position is a part of the Network Services Division (NSD). NSD delivers data networking, internet, cloud connectivity, telephony, and network security (firewall) services statewide to state agencies, federal entities, all counties, various cities, municipalities, school districts, boards, commissions, tribes, and nonprofits. NSD provides 24x7 year-round service and support at the highest level of IT to the broader state government.



As a Systems Solutions Engineer, you will be relied on to develop nonexistent technical solutions for state agencies and Enterprise Service Owners (ESO) that solve unique, complex business problems. In this role you will deliver technical solutions that allow state agencies to migrate their data centers to either WaTech's Private Cloud, the State Data Center or Quincy Data Center, or any of the public clouds (e.g., Azure or AWS). Solutions engineered by this position enable state agencies to deploy new systems or advance technology to better serve the people of Washington state.

Some of what you can expect:

* Engineer practical and secure technical options (Low-Level Design), used by state agencies in their respective decision-making processes.
* Coordinate technical IT development team activities to develop, implement, test, and maintain large organization level systems in support of state agency programs.
* Independently provide professional-level consulting services to Enterprise Service Owners and state agencies on networking, cloud transport, data center interconnectivity, and internet connectivity topics.
* Lead cross-divisional / multi-organizational brainstorming sessions and technical workgroups.
* Perform quality assurance of technical documentation and complex network designs.
* Manage project associated tasks to implement approved solutions with internal WaTech services, associated state agencies (external), and third-party providers.
* Generate engineering plans and detailed Low-Level Design illustrations.
* Produce core Circuit Design Records (CDRs) and network maps.
* Generate Command Line Interface infrastructure device configuration scripts used by operational teams to enable inter-device connectivity.
* Lead Legacy Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) decommissioning, VRF migration projects, and a multitude of Moves, Adds, & Changes (MACs) throughout WaTech's and state agency networks.



Here is what we are looking for:

* A Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Engineering Technology, Computer Network Management, Management Information Systems, or an equivalent technical discipline from an accredited college or university. Four addtional years of related work experience may substitute for a degree.
* Seven years of information technology (IT) experience involving the engineering, administering, designing, monitoring, consulting, and/or troubleshooting of medium to large telecommunication networks; to include:
* Advanced routing protocols.
* Data center switching fabrics.
* Industry best practices.

* Four years' experience independently developing new solutions which may not currently exist across multiple IT disciplines: networking, telephony, network security, desktop computing, cloud computing, and wireless technology. Experience may have been gained concurrently.
* Possess or able to acquire and maintain an active advanced networking certification such as, but not limited to (validation required):
* Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) Routing & Switching.

Preference shall be given to those who possess the following:

* A Master of Science degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Management, Management Information Systems, or an equivalent technical discipline from an accredited college or university.
* Three years' experience of working within an IT Service Provider environment engineering and designing medium to large-sized networks.
* Desired certification(s) include, but not limited to (verification required):
* Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) Routing and Switching.
* Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP).
* CompTIA Security+, Network+, Cloud+.
* ITIL Foundations training & certification.

* Experience independently working with and implementing new or unfamiliar technologies, computing capabilities, and cutting-edge features within a service provider and/or enterprise environment.

We value diversity and different perspectives:

WaTech is committed to providing equal access and opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. We seek to attract and retain a diverse staff and welcome your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity.



What WaTech Offers:

As an employee of WaTech, you'll have access to an outstanding employee benefits package that includes medical and dental plan options for you and your family, paid leave and holidays, retirement plan options and more.



While WaTech is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, which is near some of the country's most scenic national parks, we are able to offer many of our positions telework and flexible schedule options to help support a healthy work life balance.



To learn more about WaTech, and what our employees enjoy about working here, please visit our website.



How to apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large "apply button" at the top of this announcement. You may need to create a profile and account in Washington state's automated application system. We invite you to include your name and pronouns in your material to ensure we address you correctly throughout the application process.



To be considered for this position you will need to:

* Submit your online application.
* Answer all required Supplemental Questions.
* Attach a Letter of Interest that addresses how your experience qualifies you for this role.
* Attach a Resume that clearly documents the work history, training, and education that makes you a viable and competitive candidate for this position.
* Include Three professional references and their contact information.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. (Please redact any personally identifiable data such as social security number prior to submittal.)



Note: Applications without the requested attachments identified above or containing supplemental question responses with comments such as "see resume" may lead to your application being disqualified from consideration.



Conditions of employment:

Per Governor Inslee's directive 22-13.1, WaTech employees must be fully vaccinated* as a condition of employment. Medical or religious accommodations may be requested through our Human Resource Office. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status or approval of a medical or religious exemption with an approved accommodation option prior to your start date. Please contact Jenifer Graf at for additional information.



* Fully vaccinated means that it has been two weeks after you received your second dose in a two-dose series or a single dose in the single dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization.



This position requires a background check. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position and is a continued condition of employment.



This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.



Recruitment process:

First round of application assessments will be conducted seven days after the initial job posting date. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the initial seven-day job posting date during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.



Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Rebekah Wilkes at  or email to [ Email address blocked ] - Click here to apply to Systems Solutions Engineer



Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or for an alternative format may contact Human Resources at or [ Email address blocked ] - Click here to apply to Systems Solutions Engineer. Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or . WaTech complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.