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We are U.S. Soccer and we are the future of sport in the United States. Our mission is to make soccer the preeminent sport in the United States. We embrace diversity, technology and global connections to drive the growth of our sport and serve our athletes and fans. We seek motivated, passionate, skilled people who can think, create and work on a team.

U.S. Soccer is a growing company that looks for team members to grow with it. U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture and an atmosphere for professional development.

The Federation’s core principles set organization-wide standards to identify and foster our culture and inform how we interact and hold each other accountable. These principles guide U.S. Soccer: We Win Together. We Aim High. We Champion Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. To be successful as a USSF employee, it is critical to demonstrate and live up to these principles every day and with every interaction with peers, stakeholders, and partners.

The Federation’s core values are the individual attributes and characteristics that staff embody to uphold the organization’s principles and succeed. These values guide our employees: Integrity. Commitment. Teamwork. Respect.

Position Description

Reporting to the Director of Sporting Analytics, the System Architect supports the Sporting Analytics and Sport Development departments by providing oversight and expertise in IT infrastructure design, build, and implementation.

The System Architect is responsible for ensuring the infrastructure, tools, systems, and network(s) utilized by the Sporting Analytics (SPA) and Sport Development (SD) departments are resilient, secure, supportable, and scalable by effectively strategizing and planning against short- and long-term organizational goals. They work closely with the SPA / SD Directors to lead the team that designs, builds, and implements systems critical to those departments' workflow and operations. This position will also be responsible for creating and maintaining robust documentation for existing and new systems, protecting valuable knowledge, and ensuring those systems' long-term functionality and success. In this role, the System Architect will be expected to leverage their knowledge and expertise across the Federation, acting as an internal consultant and subject matter expert on systems integration and standardization.

Requirements

Primary Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

  • Sets 1-, 3-, and 5-year plans for systems, infrastructure, and tool maturity in support of departmental and organizational objectives

  • Sets KPIs for the departments’ delivery against those plans

  • Monitors, reports, and measures progress against plan and KPIs

  • Acts as an internal resource for other departments concerning system architecture and driving standards across the organization

Acquisition and Deployment

  • Designs, plans, and monitors the implementation of end-to-end integrated systems

  • Reviews existing systems for improvements in efficiency, reduction in cost (where applicable), and plan changes as necessary

  • Develops and execute RFPs where necessary for new platforms, systems, or tools in alignment with departmental and organizational standards

Operational Management

  • Consults with leadership and end-users to further infrastructure development

  • Develops and monitors test plans to check technical performance and report findings

  • Develops policies and procedures to standardize the design and planning of new systems or infrastructure following departmental and organizational policies

  • Writes and reviews system documentation to ensure critical enterprise knowledge is protected and educates team on updating/managing that documentation

  • Manages and reports on spending and resource utilization across all infrastructure, tools, and systems

  • Leads a team of system engineers, software engineers, and analysts to deliver on departmental and organizational projects/objectives.

System Integrity

  • Designs and plans systems, infrastructure, and tools that are resilient to failure - human or otherwise

  • Leverages BCDR standards and methods to ensure availability and performance of critical business systems

  • Reviews existing systems for improvements in resilience and plans for changes as necessary

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience designing, implementing and supporting critical IT infrastructure (including but not limited to servers, platforms, and networking equipment)

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience implementing, supporting and maintaining *nix systems (Ubuntu, RedHat, etc.)

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience leading cross-functional teams in technology projects

  • Deep knowledge of Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure and tools

  • Ability to predict potential challenges to projects or systems and devise solutions to mitigate them before they happen

  • Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments

  • Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize workflow

  • Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission

  • Ability to deliver high-quality work and execute under pressure and deadlines

  • Excellent written and verbal communication combined with a professional demeanor

  • Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook)

  • Committed to self-improvement

  • Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends, as needed

  • Desired Qualifications

  • Passion for innovation and connection to the latest cutting-edge systems, data, and infrastructure developments.

  • Knowledge of Ubiquiti networking hardware and software is a plus

  • Knowledge of soccer is a plus

  • Bilingual (English, Spanish or other)

  • Thorough institutional knowledge of U.S. Soccer’s mission, goals, technical plan, policies, practices, and procedures

Working at U.S. Soccer is a unique opportunity. Employees who work at U.S. Soccer have the following attributes

  • Adopt a company centric approach—Serve the Athlete and the Fan

  • Embrace and see learning as a lifelong pursuit

  • Possess a growth mindset—keeps an open mind and seeks new challenges

  • Practice self-assessment and self-reflection

  • Open to criticism and does not make excuses

  • Possess a tireless work ethic

  • Wants to be part of a team that wins

  • Has the ability to be firm but fair

  • Communicate in a direct, open and honest manner

  • Build relationships through genuine interpersonal skills