Principal IT Architect – Operational Technology

Xcel Energy

. Provide domain architectural leadership and technical expertise for mission-critical technology platforms in highly available, regulated, and operationally critical environments .

Posted 10/2/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $156,100 - $195,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in enterprise architecture, including integration, data management, and cybersecurity, while leading strategic technology initiatives and ensuring operational sustainability. Proven ability to communicate architectural vision and drive collaboration across diverse teams in mission-critical environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Enterprise ArchitectureArchitecture GovernanceReal-Time Data IntegrationCybersecurity RequirementsTechnology Roadmap Planning

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Architecture AcumenIntegration PatternsEvent-Driven ArchitecturesTechnology Lifecycle ManagementOperational Technology ArchitectureSCADA SystemsData AnalyticsBPMTOGAFStandards and Governance

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsRelationship ManagementCollaboration SkillsCross-Organizational InnovationLeadership

Tools & Technologies

SCADAADMSEMSDEMSDERMSOMSOperational Data PlatformsSchneider ElectricGESiemens

Industry Keywords

UtilitiesEnergyManufacturingOil and GasTransportationTelecommunicationsIndustrial AutomationData CentersCritical InfrastructureMission-Critical Systems

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudCyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide domain architectural leadership and technical expertise for mission-critical technology platforms in highly available, regulated, and operationally critical environments
Develop, communicate, and operationalize technology strategies supporting reliable operations, modernization, cybersecurity, compliance, and sustainability
Create and maintain technology roadmaps for capability evolution, platform modernization, technical debt reduction, standardization, and operational sustainability
Lead architecture and design discussions for complex initiatives spanning multiple platforms, domains, business functions, and stakeholder groups
Review and influence solution architectures to align with enterprise strategy, architecture principles, technology roadmaps, cybersecurity requirements, and operational needs
Drive architecture governance processes that improve design quality, consistency, and long-term sustainability
Provide architectural leadership for integrations across operational platforms, enterprise applications, data platforms, cloud services, and external partners
Guide decisions involving real-time and near-real-time data exchange, event-driven architectures, telemetry, workflow automation, and complex system integrations
Define and promote integration patterns, architecture standards, and best practices to improve interoperability and reduce complexity
Guide decisions involving identity management, access controls, trust boundaries, infrastructure security, network architecture, cybersecurity requirements, and secure operational access
Identify and address architectural risks affecting reliability, cybersecurity, compliance, operational effectiveness, or business continuity
Advocate for security-by-design, operational readiness, observability, supportability, and resiliency throughout the technology lifecycle
Ensure monitoring, alerting, logging, recovery, performance, and support requirements are incorporated into designs and validated before production deployment
Improve system reliability, availability, maintainability, operational efficiency, and user experience through domain architecture practices
Lead collaboration across architecture, engineering, operations, cybersecurity, infrastructure, vendor, and business teams
Influence enterprise-wide technology decisions and communicate architectural vision, tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations to technical and executive audiences

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Technology, Science, Business or related field, or 4 years of experience equivalent to the position
Ten years of related functional experience
Excellent communication skills, effective with varying organizational levels and skill sets
Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills, with a track record of working cross-organizationally to drive innovation and business results
Strong architecture acumen across network, infrastructure, software, hosting models, applications, data, mobile platforms, and security
Strong knowledge of enterprise architecture, including software, hardware, network, integration, data, hosting models, and platform types
In-depth expertise in at least two architecture competency areas, such as SOA, TOGAF, BPM, data analytics, standards and governance, or enterprise architecture frameworks
Expertise on future technology trends within area of expertise
Expertise in architectural review and technology lifecycle management disciplines
Experience in a leading role in project delivery and solutions architecture
Experience owning and driving strategic roadmap planning and simplifying technology ecosystems
Preferred: 5+ years providing architectural leadership for real-time SCADA systems
Preferred experience architecting operational technology, industrial control systems, real-time platforms, automation environments, or mission-critical operational systems
Preferred experience in utilities, energy, manufacturing, oil and gas, transportation, telecommunications, industrial automation, data centers, or other critical infrastructure environments
Preferred experience with OT platforms such as SCADA, ADMS, EMS, DEMS, DERMS, OMS, historian platforms, or operational data platforms
Preferred experience with Schneider Electric, GE, Siemens, OSI, Aveva, PI, or equivalent OT/industrial technology ecosystems
Preferred involvement in major OT, industrial, or mission-critical system upgrades, modernization initiatives, cloud/data enablement efforts, or platform transformations

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual Incentive Program
Medical/Pharmacy Plan
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
Health Care Reimbursement Account
Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
Transportation Reimbursement Account
Short-term disability (STD)
Long-term disability (LTD)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
Tuition reimbursement
Transit programs
Employee recognition program
Pension
401(k) plan
Paid time off (PTO)
Holidays
Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
Parental Leave
Hybrid work model supporting collaboration and flexibility