Principal, Innovation - Chicago, IL - The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC)

Description

What You'll Do:
The Principal, Infrastructure Innovation and Automation is a senior architectural leader responsible for shaping the organization's modern infrastructure strategy with a strong focus on automation, virtualization, networking, and cloud transformation. This role is critical to the enterprise's digital evolution, leveraging deep expertise in Linux systems, Kubernetes, VMware virtualization, and networking architecture to deliver secure, scalable, and resilient infrastructure solutions. As a technology thought leader, the Principal guides cross-functional teams, influences executive-level decision-making, and ensures architectural alignment across the IT landscape.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.

• Serve as the lead architect for enterprise infrastructure modernization initiatives—focusing on automation, virtualization, network architecture, and cloud-native platforms.
• Define and implement infrastructure design standards, reference architectures, and roadmaps that align with enterprise strategies.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and integration of technologies including VMware (vSphere, ESXi, NSX) and next-generation networking platforms.
• Architect and oversee the implementation of robust networking frameworks (routing, switching, segmentation, firewalls, and hybrid connectivity) for on-prem and cloud environments.
• Champion infrastructure-as-code (IaC) and automation strategies using tools like Terraform, Ansible, and Puppet.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects, security teams, DevOps, and business stakeholders to ensure integrated, secure, and compliant solutions.
• Guide structured proof-of-concepts (POCs) and pilots for emerging technologies and methodologies.
• Mentor senior engineers and architects; promote best practices and continuous architectural improvement across teams.
• Provide high-level troubleshooting and support for critical incidents; contribute to root cause analysis and architectural risk mitigation.
• Lead initiatives for cost optimization, capacity planning, and infrastructure lifecycle management.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• No direct people management responsibilities, but expected to provide technical leadership, peer mentoring, and project guidance to a small group (2-4) of engineers or specialists.

Qualifications:
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

• Professional Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in infrastructure engineering or architecture, with demonstrated expertise in designing and delivering enterprise-scale solutions.
• Platform & Architecture Expertise:
• Deep technical expertise in Linux system administration and Kubernetes architecture.
• Extensive experience designing and operating VMware environments, including vSphere, vCenter, ESXi, and NSX.
• Strong background in network architecture—including TCP/IP, subnetting, VLANs, VPNs, load balancing, DNS/DHCP, and cloud networking (e.g., AWS VPC, Transit Gateway).
• Demonstrated ability to lead automation and IaC initiatives across hybrid infrastructure environments.

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of modern infrastructure architecture, including compute, network, storage, and cloud-native platforms (preferably AWS).
• Hands-on experience with infrastructure automation and IaC tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).
• Strong scripting skills in Python, PowerShell, or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in Linux administration, system-level debugging, and performance tuning.
• Proficiency with Kubernetes architecture, deployment strategies, and cluster management.
• Strong experience with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, observability platforms, and ITSM tools.
• Sound knowledge of information security, compliance, and risk management as it relates to infrastructure.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Master's degree is a plus.

Certificates or Licenses:
Mandatory: TOGAF Certification (The Open Group Architecture Framework)

Preferred:

VMware Certified Professional (VCP-DCV)

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

ITIL Foundation

Other relevant cloud, networking, or infrastructure 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

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 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
• 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
$168, $229,200.00

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 and attach 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