IT Senior Architect – Windows Server & Infrastructure
HBK - Hottinger Brüel & Kjær
Skill Required
Key highlights
- 7+ years of relevant experience required.
- Experience managing and governing outsourced infrastructure services.
- Strong knowledge of Hybrid Cloud Architecture and Infrastructure Security.
- Freedom with responsibility work-life balance.
- Global organization with complex IT landscape.
- Technical authority for Windows Server and related technologies.
Role overview
We are looking for an experienced IT Architect – Windows Server & Infrastructure to join our global Digital organization. This role is responsible for defining, governing and evolving the enterprise architecture for Microsoft server platforms and core infrastructure services. The architect owns the technology roadmap, architecture standards and design principles for Windows-based infrastructure across on-premises datacenters. The IT operations are outsourced to an external service provider. Therefore, this role is primarily architecture- and governance-focused rather than operational, with a strong emphasis on collaborating with and steering the managed service partner to ensure architectural standards, security requirements, cost optimizations and strategic objectives are effectively implemented. The architect acts as the technical authority for Windows Server and infrastructure-related technologies, translating business requirements into scalable, resilient and secure technology solutions while supporting the organization's digital transformation and hybrid cloud strategy.
Responsibilities
- Own the enterprise architecture for Windows Server and infrastructure platforms.
- Define and maintain technology roadmaps for server, identity, virtualization, backup and datacenter infrastructure services.
- Develop architecture standards, reference designs and governance guidelines.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend modernization opportunities.
- Drive infrastructure standardization, consolidation and simplification initiatives.
- Ensure alignment between infrastructure architecture, cybersecurity requirements and enterprise architecture principles.
- Define architecture and technical standards for Microsoft Windows Server platforms.
- Define architecture and technical standards for Identity Federation and Single Sign-On (SSO).
- Define architecture and technical standards for DNS and DHCP services.
- Define architecture and technical standards for Microsoft SQL Server infrastructure.
- Define architecture and technical standards for Backup (Veeam) and Disaster Recovery solutions.
- Define architecture and technical standards for File and Print Services.
- Define architecture and technical standards for Virtualization platforms (VxRail hypervisor).
- Define architecture and technical standards for Datacenter hosting infrastructure.
- Define architecture and technical standards for Infrastructure monitoring and management platforms.
- Review and approve infrastructure solution designs.
- Act as design authority for strategic projects and infrastructure changes.
- Ensure outsourced services comply with architecture standards and best practices.
- Manage technical escalations and architectural risks.
- Participate in architecture review boards and governance forums.
- Support critical incident and problem management activities when architectural expertise is required.
- Maintain architecture documentation, standards and technical decision records.
- Create and maintain technical reference architectures and implementation guidelines.
- Identify cost optimization opportunities and technical debt reduction initiatives.
- Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across infrastructure services.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in infrastructure architecture, enterprise architecture, or senior infrastructure engineering roles.
- Experience designing and operating enterprise-scale hybrid infrastructure environments.
- Experience working in global organizations with complex IT landscapes.
- Experience managing and governing outsourced infrastructure services.
- Proven track record delivering infrastructure transformation and modernization initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of Hybrid Cloud Architecture, Infrastructure Security and Hardening.
- Solid understanding of Virtualization Technologies (VxRail hypervisor / VMware).
- Strong knowledge in Automation and Scripting (e.g. PowerShell) and High Availability and Fault-Tolerant Design Principles.
- Familiarity with ITIL processes and enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF).
- Strategic thinker with a strong ownership mindset.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to balance business requirements, risk, cost and technology considerations.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Results-oriented with a focus on quality and continuous improvement.
- Clear communicator, able to translate technical solutions for non-technical stakeholders.
- Documentation lover, enjoys writing documents to share knowledge and support others.
- Fluent in English (business level).
Benefits
- Freedom with responsibility framework allowing good work-life balance.
- Opportunities for constant development of professional and personal skills.
- International and enjoyable working environment.
- Supportive environment for balancing work and family life.
Additional details
- One company – HBK: On 1 January 2019, Brüel & Kjær and HBM merged their activities into a new company called HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær).
- HBK has more than 3,500 employees worldwide and production facilities in Denmark, Germany, Austria, UK, USA, China and Portugal with presence in 80 countries.
- HBK is a leading player in the test and measurement area.
- Originally posted on Himalayas.