We invite you to be part of our team of trailblazers dedicated to helping people discover and enjoy the outside. Come join us. Because on the inside we’re all outsiders. And if it’s outside, we’re all in.

L.L. Bean Inc. located in Freeport Maine is looking for a Microsoft Technology Architect to join our Infrastructure Architecture team, someone that is passionate and has proven experience in cloud, server, and desktop disciplines. This position will be responsible for collaborating with other architects and engineers to deliver results-focused Microsoft architecture designs that support business objectives.

Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship for engineering team members. This position will be the subject matter expert in Azure, Server & Desktop Operating Systems, and the larger Microsoft portfolio.

• Partner with cybersecurity and business areas to ensure strong alignment in the delivery of Microsoft solutions leveraging a ‘security is built-in’ approach.

• Identify people, process, and technology gaps across the portfolio. Recommend and evaluate potential solutions.

• This will be a visible role and will require the ability to work at all levels of the organization.

Strategic:

• Key contributor to the annual technology roadmap process identifying and budgeting for technology solutions over a 5-year horizon.

• Translate business requirements and architectural directions into program/project deliverables and establish architectural guardrails for projects.

• Responsible for defining technical sections of RFP, evaluating RFP responses, and searching for solutions that fit within our desired architecture.

• Must have experience in managing vendor relationships.

• Can develop multiple Enterprise Architecture viewpoints (such as Business, Technical, and pragmatic options)

Technical:

• Expert in designing, implementing, and supporting Azure and Microsoft based solutions. (GCP experience is a plus).

• Advanced understanding of modern management approaches for cloud and on-premises assets including Entra ID and Conditional Access.

• Familiar with competing vendor offerings and are able articulate the pros and cons of each solution.

• Strong understanding of network designs and capabilities. Experience with Palo Alto and Zscaler products as they relate to desktop and IaaS offerings is beneficial.

• Experience with designing and supporting large DaaS (Desktop as a Service) and VDI environments.

• Strong technical documentation skills are required.

• Automation (IaC) focus. Disciplined in CI/CD as it applies to delivering infrastructure solutions.

• Proficient with virtualization hypervisors and a variety of server and storage hardware platforms. Experience with containers and microservices is ideal.

• Experience with M365 cloud products. E.g. Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, etc.

Operational:

• Provide a degree of hands-on support for the Engineer teams as needed.

• Comfortable being the highest escalation point for critical Microsoft problems in a 24/7 environment.

• Participate in regular cross team meetings to understand the different work streams that are happening.

• Must excel in a fast-paced environment while multi-tasking and can change focus quickly.

Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.Education Level: 4-Year Bachelors DegreeYears of Experience: 7+ yearsSkills and Qualifications:

Business:

• Intermediate level of understanding business organization politics and culture

• Intermediate level of understanding of business model and ecosystem

• Challenges conventional thinking and traditional ways of operating, and invites stakeholders to identify issues and opportunities.

• Maintains balance between innovation and pragmatism when determining the practical application of new ideas.

• Sees opportunities and is open-minded. Fosters a nonjudgmental environment that stimulates creativity.

• Establishes a wide network of contacts across the organization to solicit information.

• Negotiates and agrees to responsibilities and accountabilities with stakeholders. Proactively manages responsibilities and accountabilities.

• Ability to identify dependencies and impacts across projects.

• Understand how Market and technology trends impacts business goals and provide insight to stakeholders.

• Understands and can articulate the key business issues and challenges facing the organization.

• Demonstrates leadership and direction around change initiatives. Uses the principles of change management to shape plans and projects.

Behaviors:

• Demonstrates the ability to "think outside of the box" to shape ideas for future strategies- not simply extending what the organization does today.

• Consistently communicates a vision of the future and how to get there.

• Provides leadership, inspiration and guidance through influence and coaching. Consistently acts in the best interest of the stakeholder.

• Exhibits solid emotional intelligence skills, relates well to people, listens well and spends time really understanding stakeholders and their perspectives and needs.

• Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to quickly accomplish specific objectives targeted at defined business outcomes. Shows respect for differences and diversity, and disagrees without personalizing issues.

• Handles multiple projects and duties simultaneously, prioritizing as needed. Devises flexible approaches that are easily adopted by all levels and types of people.

• Has clear and well developed coaching and mentoring skills; coaches and mentors a wide range of stakeholders from across the organization.

• Assesses risk, and applies risk management strategies to mitigate it.

• Looks for the most appropriate way to come to a decision. Involves the right stakeholders in the decision, and consults widely.

  If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan. Because, when it comes to the outside—we’re all in. Visit llbeancareers.com to learn more.

  Being outside brings out the best in us, no matter where we come from or what we believe. At L.L.Bean, we value individual differences and encourage our co-workers to be themselves – because the uniqueness of each individual makes L.L.Bean better.

  Over a century ago, company founder Leon Leonwood Bean set out to make a boot to keep hunters’ feet warm and dry. Today, we continue to follow the trail he blazed, adding new paths to help more people discover the outdoors, whether it’s the thrill of sea kayaking, the quiet of early morning fishing or the pleasure of walking in your local park . Of course, we remain true to L.L.’s core values, and are committed to quality, service, and putting the outside, inside everything we make. So join us, adventure awaits…

  At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.