GLO - Principal Solutions Architect (Systems Analyst VII)

Job Description

The Texas General Land Office is seeking a Systems Analyst VII (Principal Solutions Architect) within the Information Technology Services Department of the agency.

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) computer systems analysis work with agency-wide scope and impact. This position serves as a principal technical authority on system behavior, configuration, integration, and effective use across the organization.

Work involves leading the most complex, novel, or mission-critical systems analysis initiatives; performing hands-on analysis and requirements refinement for high-risk or precedent-setting efforts; defining agency-wide standards for systems analysis, requirements detail, testing, validation, and documentation; and advising leadership on system capabilities, limitations, risks, and long-term improvement opportunities. While this role establishes standards and provides strategic guidance, it retains direct involvement in the most complex analysis and validation work.

Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Influences agency-wide systems practices through technical authority, consultation, and standards stewardship rather than people management.

Our Mission:

The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

What Your Contributions to the GLO Will be:

• Enterprise System Analysis & Complex Execution; Performs and leads hands-on analysis of the most complex, novel, or mission-critical system challenges with agency-wide impact.
• Agency-Wide Requirements & Analysis Standards Leadership; Defines and enforces standards for requirements detail, acceptance criteria, and analysis practices; leads hands-on refinement of requirements for high-risk, highly complex, or precedent-setting initiatives.
• Configuration Governance & System Optimization Strategy; Establishes governance and best practices for system configuration and optimization; performs hands-on configuration for complex or high-impact scenarios.
• Testing, Validation & Quality Assurance Authority; Defines agency-wide testing and validation standards; leads hands-on validation for critical releases and supports resolution of systemic quality issues.
• System Documentation, Training & Knowledge Stewardship; Oversees documentation and training practices; ensures consistent system understanding across the organization and supports enterprise user enablement.
• Advanced Technical Consultation & Systems Advisory; Serves as a senior technical authority advising leadership, product owners, and engineering teams on system behavior, risks, constraints, and long-term improvement opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework Information Technology, MIS, Computer Science, AI, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Infrastructure, Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may substitute for the degree requirement at a rate of one year of relevant experience for each year of education.

• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in solution architecture, enterprise systems design, cloud architecture, or IT strategy.

• Experience designing or overseeing complex solutions that span multiple technology domains, teams, or vendors.

• Experience leading or advising modernization, cloud adoption, system integration, or other significant IT transformation initiatives.

• Experience communicating technical recommendations and risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Location Requirement: This position is based in Austin, TX. Candidates must be currently located in the Austin area or willing to relocate at their own expense. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ten (10) or more years of experience in enterprise or solution architecture, including architecture governance and multi-year technology roadmaps.

• Experience in public-sector, state-agency, or similarly regulated environments and familiarity with state technology, security, procurement, and audit considerations.

• Hands-on architecture experience with Azure and AWS, Microsoft 365, identity platforms, SaaS integrations, data platforms, and hybrid infrastructure.

• Experience with one or more of the GLO environments platforms, such as ServiceNow, Salesforce, Snowflake, SharePoint Online, Box, PowerScale, or enterprise backup and observability solutions.

• Experience developing cloud migration strategies, application dependency maps, recovery designs, cost models, and operational transition plans.

• Familiarity with architecture frameworks and delivery approaches such as TOGAF, ITIL, Agile, or SAFe.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Design integrated solutions across cloud platforms, applications, data, networking, identity, security, and operations.
• Understand cloud adoption, landing zones, migration approaches, hybrid connectivity, service dependencies, and cloud cost management.
• Translate business outcomes and constraints into clear architectures, roadmaps, standards, and implementation guidance.
• Apply security-by-design principles, least privilege, identity controls, segmentation, secure configuration, audit logging, and data protection.
• Understand backup, recovery, availability, disaster recovery, business continuity, monitoring, and operational readiness requirements.
• Explain technical options, risks, tradeoffs, and decisions clearly to executives, technical teams, vendors, and program stakeholders.
• Build alignment across teams and departments, influence without direct authority, and manage ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Produce concise architecture documentation and facilitate productive design reviews.
• Balance strategic direction with practical delivery constraints, agency risk, lifecycle cost, and support capacity.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and vendor claims objectively, using evidence and GLO requirements to guide recommendations.
• Track architecture decisions and dependencies through implementation and adjust guidance as requirements or risks change.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the worksite) is routinely required to carry out some duties. This position requires extensive computer, telephone and client/ customer contact and communication. It requires the ability to move and position oneself as needed for filing and similar routine office duties. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies. It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Ability to read printed materials and computer screens. The individual must be able to move and transport records, documents, boxes, and all related information and materials, weighing up to 20 pounds when required.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Free Parking

• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts

• Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employees¿ premium and 25% for eligible dependents.

• Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance.

• Minimum of 96+ Hours of Annual Leave a year Annual leave increases with length of service.

• Professional Development Opportunities: The GLO offers numerous courses to help our employees grow using resources through LinkedIn Learning and our EAP provider.

Veterans:

Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditors Office by pasting this link into your browser:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Information Technology

How to Apply:

• To be considered for this position, please submit your application online through the CAPPS Career Site (preferred method) or complete a State of Texas Application in WorkInTexas at www.workintexas.com. It is not necessary to apply through both WorkInTexas and the CAPPS Career Site.
• Applications must be fully completed and include a comprehensive employment history, detailing job titles, dates of employment, employer names, supervisors¿ names and phone numbers, and a summary of responsibilities. Submission of a résumé is also required.
• In accordance with federal law, all individuals selected for hire will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the appropriate employment eligibility verification documentation upon hire.
• Positions assigned to this classification are designated as security¿sensitive pursuant to Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The agency is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.