911 Principal Systems Architect

North Central Texas Council of Governments • Full-time • Arlington, Texas, United States • from $125k / year • 2w ago

Designing the Systems That Power Life-Saving Technology.

Do you believe in building resilient, scalable systems that support critical public safety operations? At NCT9-1-1, we’re seeking a visionary 9-1-1 Principal Systems Architect to lead the design, development, and evolution of the technology that underpins emergency communications across our region.

This role is more than software development…it’s about architecting the future of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) systems, GIS-enabled applications, and enterprise platforms that ensure reliability when it matters most. You’ll guide technical strategy, establish development standards, and lead initiatives that transform how emergency services operate.

Why This Role Matters

Every 9-1-1 call depends on systems that must be fast, accurate, and always available. The Principal Systems Architect ensures that the applications and platforms supporting emergency response are not only functional- but optimized, scalable, and sustainable.

This position drives impact by:

Leading the design and architecture of mission-critical applications and systems.
Establishing structured development practices that reduce reactive support and improve long-term reliability.
Advancing GIS-enabled and NG9-1-1 technologies that enhance situational awareness and response capabilities.
Building strong partnerships across technical teams, public safety agencies, and external vendors.

If you’re passionate about engineering excellence and want your work to directly support life-saving services, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of web-based, desktop, and GIS-enabled applications.
Establish and enforce development governance, including version control, DevOps pipelines, code reviews, and documentation standards.
Serve as technical lead on complex system implementations, from planning through deployment.
Develop strategies for system reliability, scalability, security, and lifecycle management.
Supervise and mentor interns and technical staff, ensuring alignment with best practices and organizational standards.
Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with internal teams, ECCs, vendors, and public safety partners.
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency.
Develop training materials, documentation, and knowledge-sharing practices for systems and applications.
Support long-term sustainability through automation, monitoring, and proactive system management.

Who We’re Looking For

Someone who combines deep technical expertise with leadership and vision. The ideal candidate is:

A systems thinker with strong experience in software architecture and application development.
A leader who can lead teams, mentor staff, and drive technical excellence.
A collaborator who can translate complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders.
A proactive innovator who continuously evaluates and improves systems and processes.
A professional motivated by public service, reliability, and innovation in emergency communications.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Computer Science, Geography, or a related field (preferred).
5–7 years of professional experience in software development, systems engineering, or application architecture.
Experience leading or supervising technical staff or development initiatives.
Experience with GIS-enabled systems or public safety technologies (preferred).
Relevant technical certifications (GIS, cloud platforms, software development, or project management) are a plus.

Salary Range: Salary starting at $125,000, commensurate with experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

NCTCOG is an equal opportunity employer/program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other classifications covered under federal, state, or local laws. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Background Check & Drug Testing:

All selected candidates must undergo a pre-employment background check and drug screening. Background checks include national criminal background check, employment history, motor vehicle record check, social security verification, education verification, and other elements as needed. NCTCOG is committed to a safe and drug free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. All new hires are required to undergo a drug test which detects the presence of illegal drugs for months prior to testing. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping NCTCOG safe and drug free. In order to receive an offer of employment from NCTCOG, selected candidates must successfully pass the pre-employment background check and drug screening.

E-Verify:

The North Central Texas Council of Governments participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

Job postings are kept open for a minimum of 10 calendar days and may close anytime thereafter at the discretion of the hiring manager.