Solutions Architecture & Engineer Manager

Overview

Description Solutions Architecture & Engineer Manager (EMS
3). This recruitment has been extended to increase the applicant pool. If you've already applied, you do not need to re-apply. WaTech:
Leading the way in technology! Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) is at the forefront nationally in integrating innovative technologies that revolutionize how state services are delivered to the people of Washington. WaTech establishes the strategic technological framework for various state domains and programs, overseeing the primary technology services throughout the state.

This position is part of WaTech’s Network Services Division (NSD) and reports to the Assistant Director of Network Services. As the Solutions Architecture & Engineer Manager you will apply expert specialized knowledge of the statewide WAN to lead and facilitate strategic business initiatives for WaTech's customers. This position is responsible for developing and implementing NSD strategies, priorities, and initiatives that lead to improvements in customer satisfaction, cost recovery growth, and return on investment.

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop three high-performing teams:
  Solution Architecture, Systems Engineering, and Network Capacity Management.
• Review and evaluate proposed technical designs and architectures to ensure alignment with organizational standards, security policies, and performance expectations.
• Design end-to-end solutions that meet business needs while aligning with well-architected best practices.
• Provide directional oversight, guidance, constraints/restraints, and recommended courses of action to senior technical staff.
• Research, validate and recommend fiscal investments for network and telecommunication equipment, services, and projects.
• Develop and write policies for NSD in coordination with all service owners.
• Evaluate and guide solution designs to ensure alignment with enterprise strategy, support digital transformation initiatives, and meet defined business goals.
• Lead and conduct requirements engineering and design synthesis to formulate cost-effective statewide technical solutions for state agencies and enterprise service owners.
• Sponsor cross-divisional and interagency projects that evolve enterprise services and advance the division’s service portfolio.
• Optimize resource allocation and manage workloads across multiple projects.
• Author contracts, business proposals, procurement requests, and financial analysis reports in support of delivering value-added services, acquiring new IT services, and maintaining operational readiness.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 14 years of experience in networking and telecommunication infrastructure, technology, operations, and services. This experience must include:
• Five years of experience in each of the following: planning, managing, and overseeing IT projects; aligning architecture with enterprise strategy and roadmaps; designing end-to-end solutions across multiple platforms; leveraging an architectural framework to develop design solutions.
• Four years of experience in each of the following: cloud technology and enterprise architecture; managing, supervising, or leading IT teams and resources.
• Experience with at least four or more of the following:
• Translate complex business needs into integrated solutions by harmonizing requirements, technical constraints, skill gaps, and sponsor expectations.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration and mentor technical teams to ensure consistent, scalable, and strategic solution delivery.
• Develop and maintain solution roadmaps aligned with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) and IT strategy.
• Design and integrate end-to-end systems across cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), hybrid, and on-prem environments using best practices in architecture, interoperability, and data protection.
• Apply architectural patterns and integration techniques (e.g., microservices, APIs, middleware) to enable scalable, secure, and resilient systems.
• Assess emerging technologies and manage infrastructure across virtual/physical networks, cloud models (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), and protocols (BGP, OSPF, MPLS) to support…