Lead Associate Principal, Infrastructure Innovation & Automation

What You'll Do:

The Lead Associate Principal is responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting hybrid infrastructure solutions across both on-premises and AWS environments, with a strong emphasis on automation, CI/CD, and operational excellence. This role requires hands-on expertise in Windows Server administration, infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible), image management (Packer/AMI), and virtualization (VMware). Experience with Kubernetes and containerized workloads is a plus. The ideal candidate will blend deep technical skills with a strong focus on automation and collaboration to ensure resilient, scalable, and secure infrastructure.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.

• Administer, support, and optimize Windows Server environments (2016, 2019, 2022) across on-prem and AWS.

• Design and maintain automated CI/CD pipelines for server builds and AMIs using Jenkins, Terraform, Ansible, and Packer.

• Manage hybrid infrastructure including VMware-based virtualization (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter) and AWS cloud workloads.

• Troubleshoot complex system, OS, and application issues; collaborate with vendors and cross-functional teams for resolution.

• Automate infrastructure provisioning, patching, and operational tasks to reduce manual effort and increase reliability.

• Participate in security patching, hardening, and vulnerability remediation.

• Ensure infrastructure aligns with OCC's compliance, audit, and change management standards.

• Provide input on infrastructure modernization initiatives, including container platforms (Kubernetes as a plus).

• Support on after-hours maintenance as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No direct people management responsibilities, but expected to provide peer mentoring, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing with junior engineers.

Qualifications

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Professional Experience: 7+ years of Windows Server engineering and infrastructure support in enterprise environments, with at least 2-3 years in hybrid (on-prem + AWS) environments.

• Platform Skills: Strong Windows Server expertise; experience with VMware, AWS, and hybrid infrastructure. Exposure to Kubernetes/container platforms is a plus.

• Solution Design: Proven ability to build automated, reliable, and secure infrastructure solutions leveraging IaC and CI/CD pipelines.

• Collaboration: Strong teamwork, communication, and ability to partner with application, DevOps, and security teams.

Technical Skills

• Advanced administration of Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022.

• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation (Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins, Packer).

• Experience building and maintaining custom AMIs and golden images.

• VMware administration (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter) and virtualization concepts.

• AWS experience with EC2, networking, and hybrid integrations.

• PowerShell scripting; experience with Python or Bash scripting is a plus.

• Active Directory and Group Policy administration.

• Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, firewalls, load balancers).

• Vulnerability remediation and patch management experience.

• Kubernetes/container platform experience a plus.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field preferred.

• Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Certificates or Licenses

Relevant certifications preferred:

• Microsoft (Windows Server, Azure Administrator)

• VMware (VCP-DCV or similar)

• AWS (Solutions Architect - Associate or equivalent)

• Terraform/Ansible or other automation-related certifications

About Us

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at www.theocc.com.

Benefits

A highly collaborative and supportive environment developed to encourage work-life balance and employee wellness. Some of these components include:

• A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote work
• Tuition Reimbursement to support your continued education
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Technology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotely
• Generous PTO and Parental leave
• 401k Employer Match
• Competitive health benefits including medical, dental and vision

Visit https://www.theocc.com/careers/thriving-together for more information.

Compensation

• The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education.
• In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
• We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers
• All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.

Salary Range

Incentive Range

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.

Step 1
When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please complete the application andattach your resume.

Step 2
You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application.

Step 3
If you are called in for an interview, a representative from OCC will contact you to set up a date, time, and location.

For more information about OCC, please click here.

OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer