Infrastructure Architect


Business Segment
Corporate Initiatives Group

About Us
GE is planning for tomorrow. Where will you be? Now is the time to join GE in building a better tomorrow, today. If you thrive on being challenged, interacting with diverse technical teams and using your expertise to imagine, innovate and explore, then GE's new Advanced Manufacturing Software Technology Center in Van Buren Township, Michigan, is the place for you! Here, the best and brightest technical and research experts will come together and use cutting-edge technologies to solve some of the world's toughest problems. Realize your potential today. Join us at this world-class facility where you’ll find endless learning opportunities, a culture committed to driving innovation, and state-of-the-art amenities like next-generation virtual meeting technology, collaborative workspaces, a fitness center and more. With positions available in so many areas, there’s sure to be an opportunity for you to put your imagination to work!

Role Summary/Purpose
The Infrastructure Architect - Storage Engineering will be a highly motivated, experienced, storage engineer interested in leading global projects and designing storage solutions with advanced emerging technologies. This role is a member of the Storage Engineering team, that currently manages 2+PB (Petabytes) of replicated SAN storage and 1.5PB of NAS storage across 6+ data centers on multiple continents. This individual will have a solid understanding of SAN, NAS, and replication methodologies.

Essential Responsibilities
The Infrastructure Architect – Storage Engineering role will:

  • Be a technology team member in the storage and data replication space for all of GEs shared global data centers
  • Be responsible for the developing storage solutions, development of standards, and capacity management for large enterprise level storage environment
  • Lead storage technology projects and New Technology and Service Introductions (NTI/NSI’s) to deliver storage solutions for petabytes of business critical data across multiple contents and global data centers
  • Identify and play a key role in the implementation of advanced storage technologies like virtualization, automated storage tiering, thin-provisioning, compression, encryption, and replication technologies to further improve performance, reliability, and enhanced services operations of GE’s core storage infrastructure
  • Conduct project reviews, feasibility, cost benefit analysis, prioritization, initiation, execution for all project related work relating to assigned programs and projects
  • Develop cost models, business cases, and appropriate cost management for driving advanced backup technology implementations and ensuring the proper liquidation and allocation of storage related costs
  • Work with various GE businesses units, constituents, and business partners to insure proper business alignment between business strategy and storage needs, goals and initiatives
  • Provide expertise in SAN and NAS storage strategy and technology development for incorporation into the overall GE Storage Infrastructure roadmap and strategic plan
  • Provide technical leadership and consultation to GE businesses and GIS internal teams
  • Analyze overall storage capacity and performance data for optimum utilization of resources
  • Manage project team resources to deliver solutions (onshore offshore)
  • Provide technical guidance to various storage organizations within GE
  • Provide Capacity Management forecasting and work with suppliers to ensure that various GE locations have the capacity for future demand
  • Use Project Management Methodology, and LEAN Six Sigma quality tools and rigor in developing business solutions
  • Abide by all GE Corporate and local policies and procedures including but not limited to Integrity, Diversity, Proprietary Information, Conflict of Interest, and EHS

    Qualifications/Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems/Computer Science or a related discipline; or minimum 4 years of equivalent work experience
  • Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience architecting, deploying, managing and provisioning with SAN Storage (EMC, HDS, XIV, etc.) and NAS Storage (NetApp/EMC)
  • Minimum 3 years of experience with large scale enterprise storage technologies including Cisco and Brocade, and advanced knowledge of FC, FCoE, FCoIP and TCPIP

    Desired Characteristics

  • Six Sigma GB Certification (GE Internal Candidates only)
  • Working knowledge of supporting storage infrastructure management and performance tools (ECC, ESRS, DFM, SMC, and SPA)
  • Working knowledge and experience with large scale enterprise storage technologies such as replication, compression, de-duplication, and encryption methodologies
  • Experience with host side technologies including CNA, HBA, and distributed file system
  • Independent worker with proven ability to simultaneously execute multiple projects in a demanding environment
  • Demonstrated experience working with software / hardware vendors and working with and managing outside resources to provide technology solutions
  • Must be an agent for change and comfortable suggesting and designing solutions that utilize new technology
  • Ability to clearly communicate and document designs, roadmaps, strategies, and processes
  • Knowledge and experience with the standard project management processes and gating methodologies
  • Ability to make decisions based on a combination of business criteria and technical specifications
  • Solid analytical, problem solving and project technical leadership skills
  • Solid interpersonal, written/verbal communication, organizational and leadership skills
  • Ability to interact across all levels of management
  • Quality and cost driven
  • Knowledge of VMWare 4.x/5.0, OVM 2.2/3.0 and Cisco UCS is desired
  • General knowledge of Windows, Unix, Linux, and Client technologies and best practices
  • SNIA training / certification a plus
  • Excellent track record of understanding and interest in current and emerging technologies demonstrated through training, job experience and/or industry activities
  • Ability to effectively perform cost benefit analysis, determine TCO, prepare and manage projects to budget
  • Ability to prepare statements of work, requests for proposal, and analyze responses from vendors
  • Excellent team player - collaborates well with others to solve problems and actively incorporates input from various sources
  • Demonstrated customer focus - evaluates decisions through the eyes of the customer, builds strong customer relationships and creates processes with customer viewpoint
  • Excellent analytical skills - strong problem solving skills, communicates in a clear and succinct manner and effectively evaluates information / data to make decisions
  • Anticipates obstacles and develops plans to resolve
  • Change oriented - actively generates process improvements, supports and drives change, and confronts difficult circumstances in creative ways
  • Six Sigma Black Belt Certification (GE Internal Candidates Only)