Platform Architect
IT Data Center Svcs General
Job Summary
The Platform Architect is a pivotal leader in driving the strategic direction and priorities of Platform Services within Infrastructure Services at UCSF. This role is instrumental in enhancing the innovative capabilities of server, storage, and database technologies, ensuring UCSF remains at the forefront of technological advancement. With a deep expertise in enterprise architecture, the Platform Architect meticulously identifies business requirements, crafts sophisticated designs and prototypes, and rigorously executes testing activities to shape a robust and scalable platform services architecture.
As a thought leader and recognized expert in their industry, the Platform Architect develops comprehensive platform standards, guidelines, and leading-edge practices that set the benchmark for Infrastructure Services. They leverage their extensive knowledge and experience to champion UCSF’s platform vision and goals, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. This role not only anticipates future technological trends but also strategically aligns platform services to meet the evolving needs of the University.
The Platform Architect will positively impact UCSF’s operations and culture by ensuring UCSF’s IT infrastructure is operable, secure, efficient, and effective in service of the University’s mission. The Architect will advance the University’s mission by delivering exceptional information technology services comprehensively and consistently across customers and stakeholders. This role will execute UCSF’s vision while modeling UCSF’s culture and values.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
The salary range for this position is $129,600 - $220,000 (Annual Rate).
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit:https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
Department Description
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is distinguished as a leading academic healthcare organization, home to groundbreaking discoveries, world-class education, and exceptional healthcare services. Infrastructure Services (IS) is the backbone of the technological infrastructure, assuring the technical services that enable the academic, medical, and research missions of the organization. Beyond a focus on maintaining systems and resolving issues, we are committed to nurturing the potential of our team members and empowering them to excel. UCSF Infrastructure Services provides 24x7 support to the University community, always upholding the highest level of responsiveness and reliability for our customers. IS values innovation and excellence in ensuring secure and efficient Information Technology (IT) services, regardless of the hour or complexity of the issue.
The Platform Services team within Infrastructure Services is committed to empowering the academic, medical, and research mission of UCSF by ensuring that all customers have seamless, secure, and accessible technological support. The team oversees the management and maintenance of various technology platforms, including systems, databases, and cloud services, to guarantee they are secure, readily available, and performing optimally. Platform Services handles the management of critical software, such as Epic, ensuring it supports the highest level of medical service delivery by operating at peak performance. The team also oversees data center operations, including server management, storage, and networking equipment, to ensure the reliable delivery of health services. Additionally, it manages enterprise databases, Oracle, SQL, and other defined databases with a focus on data security, availability, and top-tier performance. All these tasks are critical not just for the smooth operation of the University’s technological infrastructure, but also for enhancing productivity, enabling the provision of high-quality health services and learning, and ultimately, improving patient and student outcomes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, in one or more of the following fields: computer science, computer information systems, etc.
- 7 to 10+ years Experience in one or more of the following fields: information technology, platform services, database administration, server and storage administration, infrastructure management or software engineering.
- Industry Certification in a Platform Services specialty (Cloud, Database, Servers, etc)
- Expert knowledge of software, database, infrastructure, and platform services.
- Extensive expertise in database technologies such as Oracle, MS SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MS Access, SimpleDB, and cloud database services.
- Advanced knowledge of SAN, NAS, DASD, Fiber Channel, and cloud storage environments.
- Advanced knowledge of software development using SOA principles with object-oriented programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
- Demonstrated experience with cloud platform automation and orchestration methodologies and tools.
- Demonstrated experience implementing next-generation platform solutions such as PaaS, cloud computing services, and serverless computing solutions that enable AI or machine learning.
- Extensive experience working in a project-based environment, including the ability to report on project status, evaluate project risks, and escalate project issues.
- Demonstrated experience using leading project management practices including schedule management, status reporting, and communication of project risks and issues.
- Proficiency with budget planning and management, business case development, and service management.
- Extensive experience working with the software development life cycle (SDLC) methodology.
- Demonstrated technology fluency with an understanding of industry and marketplace evolutions, vendor product offerings, and common and emerging platforms in use across the industry.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate technical information and ideas to diverse community of colleagues and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and advance positive working relationships and a strong rapport with team members, stakeholders, and customers.
- Advanced organizational skills and ability to balance competing priorities and support concurrent projects.
- Strong demonstrated critical thinking skills; scopes solutions based on knowledge of available resources and timelines. Able to ask questions, gather information, evaluate options, and make decisions with integrity.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in one or more of the following fields: computer science, computer information systems, etc.
- Industry Standard Security Certification
License/Certification
Industry Certification in a Platform Services specialty (Cloud, Database, Servers, etc)About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available atdiversity.ucsf.edu
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Job Code and Payroll Title
000532 IT ARCHITECT 5
Job Category
Clinical Systems / IT Professionals
Bargaining Unit
99 - Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit)
Location
San Francisco, CA
Campus
Mission Center Building (SF)
Additional Shift Details
M-F, 8-hour shift. As required after hours, weekend, and escalation support
Freqently Asked Questions
Platform Architects typically focus on strategic design and enterprise-wide platform solutions, while Senior Platform Engineers are more involved in hands-on development and implementation. Architects need deep expertise in infrastructure planning, cloud orchestration, and platform scalability, aligning technology with business goals more than coding specifics.
In academic healthcare like UCSF, a Platform Architect navigates complex compliance, supports research data integrity, and integrates clinical systems, unlike typical tech firms focused solely on commercial scalability. The role balances innovation with strict security and uptime demands critical to patient and student outcomes.
Advancing from Platform Architect often leads to leadership positions such as Director of Platform Engineering or Chief Architect roles. The trajectory involves expanding influence over multiple IT domains, strategic planning, and driving technological innovation across broader organizational platforms.
Certifications like TOGAF for enterprise architecture, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) are highly valued. San Francisco employers prioritize these as proof of expertise in scalable, secure platform design aligned with local industry standards.
UCSF's range of $129,600 to $220,000 annually reflects competitive compensation for Platform Architects in San Francisco, balancing public sector frameworks with market demands. This range supports cost of living considerations while offering growth potential based on experience and internal equity.
UCSF requires balancing cutting-edge platform innovation with strict healthcare compliance, ensuring data security for sensitive patient information. Architects must integrate academic, medical, and research systems seamlessly, managing complex stakeholder expectations across diverse university departments.
UCSF emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion alongside technological excellence. Platform Architects here must not only deliver robust infrastructure but also foster collaborative innovation reflecting UCSF's commitment to professionalism and cultural competence within its academic health system.
Demand for Platform Architects in San Francisco remains strong, driven by healthcare tech and cloud infrastructure growth. However, competition is intense due to numerous startups and established firms seeking top talent with hybrid expertise in cloud platforms, data security, and enterprise architecture.
They design scalable, secure platforms integrating cloud services with enterprise databases, ensuring high availability for critical research and patient care applications. The architect balances innovation with compliance, optimizing performance across diverse systems to support UCSF’s unique mission requirements.
At UCSF, the architect’s focus extends beyond profit to advancing public health and education, requiring deep collaboration with medical and academic stakeholders. This contrasts with private sector roles that prioritize faster product cycles and commercial scalability over institutional mission alignment.
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