Associate Engineer II-Network Operations Center

Salary range is $81K to $149K with a midpoint of $101K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This position description is for two openings: one regular full-time position, and one term-limited position with an assignment duration of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Associate Engineer II, Network Operations Center (NOC) role builds upon the foundation of Associate Engineer I and represents a more autonomous engineering position within the NOC. Candidates are not expected to possess mastery in all four focus areas (Server & Infrastructure Operations, Network & Infrastructure Monitoring, Software & Tooling, Major Incident Response). Instead, successful candidates will demonstrate: Depth in at least one area, strong working knowledge across others, and the ability to mentor Associate Engineers I, act as a technical escalation point, and drive continuous improvement within the NOC. Associate Engineers II are expected to function with minimal supervision, lead by example during incidents, and contribute to the design and enhancement of tools, monitoring, and workflows.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Server & Infrastructure Operations

• Own troubleshooting and resolution for complex Windows and Linux server issues without routine escalation.
• Lead patch management cycles and ensure compliance reporting.
• Administer and optimize VMware ESXi clusters, including HA/DR configuration and resource balancing.
• Deploy and support hybrid infrastructure (on-prem + Azure).
• Develop automation scripts to standardize recurring server administration and remediation tasks.
• Mentor Associate Engineers I on server troubleshooting and maintenance procedures.

Network & Infrastructure Monitoring

• Lead triage for network outages, performance degradation, and device failures.
• Perform initial analysis of switch/router configs and logs to isolate faults prior to escalation.
• Configure and tune network monitoring systems (SolarWinds, Intermapper) to improve detection accuracy.
• Validate VLAN, trunk, and routing configurations in collaboration with Network Engineers.
• Be a driver of the RCA process, contributing findings and helping recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Mentor Associate Engineers I in structured network troubleshooting practices.

Software, Scripting & Tooling

• Build and maintain production-ready automation scripts and utilities used across the NOC.
• Standardize log collection, service validation, and auto-remediation workflows.
• Contribute to shared code repositories using version control practices (e.g., Git).
• Design and maintain real-time monitoring dashboards for situational awareness.
• Author and update detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all developed tools and automations.
• Provide guidance to Associate Engineers I on scripting standards, best practices, and usage.

Major Incident Response & Coordination

• Regularly serve as Incident Commander, Liaison, or Scribe during Sev1/Sev2 events.
• Lead triage coordination and restore services by driving technical teams to resolution.
• Deliver executive-level situational updates during active incidents.
• Lead drafting of incident timelines and input to RCA documentation.
• Ensure incident handling aligns with Blackrock3 ICS and ITIL processes.
• Mentor Associate Engineers I in bridge participation, communication protocols, and role handoffs.
• Demonstrate ownership of incidents and projects from start to resolution.
• Act as a mentor and escalation point for Associate Engineers I.
• Contribute to NOC-wide process improvements, documentation, and tooling initiatives.
• Participate in 24x7x365 operational coverage, including shift rotations and on-call support.

Other

• Champions and models Sound Transits core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related field. Four years of experience in network or systems operations; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Advanced knowledge of Windows and Linux server administration.
• Proficiency in VMware ESXi cluster management.
• Familiarity with Active Directory, GPOs, and hybrid identity integration.
• Demonstrated ability to automate common server administration tasks.
• Proficient understanding of enterprise routing, switching, VLAN design, and WAN technologies.
• Skilled at interpreting switch/router configurations (CLI-based).
• Ability to correlate multi-layer issues (network, server, application).
• Proficient in PowerShell, Python, or Bash with ability to write modular, reusable code.
• Experience with APIs and CLI integrations for infrastructure automation.
• Comfortable using Git or similar version control for script management.
• Proven ability to lead incident bridges and coordinate teams under pressure.
• Strong communicator able to summarize technical and business impacts clearly.
• Familiar with Blackrock3 ICS roles and ITIL-aligned escalation thresholds.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• LPI / Linux+.
• Azure Administrator (AZ-104).
• VMware VCTA or VCP.
• CCNA.
• CCNP or JNCIA.
• ITIL Foundations (v3 or v4).
• DevOps-related coursework or certifications
• Automation-related coursework or practical portfolio.
• DevOps bootcamp or scripting certificate.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of Windows and Linux server administration.
• Proficiency in VMware ESXi cluster management.
• Familiarity with Active Directory, GPOs, and hybrid identity integration.
• Demonstrated ability to automate common server administration tasks.
• Proficient understanding of enterprise routing, switching, VLAN design, and WAN technologies.
• Skilled at interpreting switch/router configurations (CLI-based).
• Ability to correlate multi-layer issues (network, server, application).
• Proficient in PowerShell, Python, or Bash with ability to write modular, reusable code.
• Experience with APIs and CLI integrations for infrastructure automation.
• Comfortable using Git or similar version control for script management.
• Proven ability to lead incident bridges and coordinate teams under pressure.
• Strong communicator able to summarize technical and business impacts clearly.
• Familiar with Blackrock3 ICS roles and ITIL-aligned escalation thresholds.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VPN, DNS, etc.).
• Familiarity with data center, cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), and hybrid infrastructure environments.
• Experience with NOC tools such as SolarWinds, Splunk, ServiceNow, Nagios, LogicMonitor, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of ITIL, Blackrock 3 IMS, automation (Python, Ansible, PowerShell), and monitoring frameworks (SNMP, NetFlow, etc.).
• Blackrock3 or FEMA ICS training.
• Demonstrated experience as a primary incident lead or coordinator.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office 3 or more days per week.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.