Job Family:
Solutions Architecture Consulting
Travel Required:
Up to 50%
Clearance Required:
None
What You Will Do:
The GIS Solution Architect is the functional and technical authority for the end-to-end ArcGIS Utility Network solution design on a utility GIS modernization program. This role owns the UN data model architecture, migration strategy from GE SmallWorld, integration design with OMS/ADMS/SAP/field mobility, and application architecture replacing Magik-based customizations. The GIS Architect bridges decades of SmallWorld institutional knowledge with the ESRI UN platform's topology model, ensuring that the migrated solution is not simply a technical lift-and-shift but a strategically re-engineered GIS foundation for the next generation of utility network operations.
Utility Network Solution Architecture:
- Own the ESRI ArcGIS Utility Network solution design: domain network definitions, tier configurations (radial, mesh), terminal assignments, containment associations, junction-edge connectivity rules, and network attribute definitions.
- Design the UN feature class schema: asset group / asset type taxonomies, network source priorities, controller placements, and subnetwork name field assignments for electric, gas, or water networks.
- Conduct Fit-Gap workshops comparing SmallWorld GDM schema and G/Technology module data models to ESRI UN target architecture; document design decisions and configuration rationale.
- Define network topology validation standards: connectivity tolerance rules, dirty area management, subnetwork validation criteria, and pre-go-live network tracing acceptance tests.
- Establish the geodatabase design: feature datasets, versioning strategy (branch vs. traditional versioning), archiving configuration, and replica/sync design for field mobile environments.
- SmallWorld Migration Architecture
- Own the source-to-target schema mapping between SmallWorld GDM feature classes (G/Technology Electric, Gas, Water modules) and ESRI UN domain network feature classes — resolving structural, attribute, and relationship differences.
- Define the data migration architecture: ETL tool selection (FME, Python/arcpy, ESRI Data Interoperability), transformation logic, geometry reprojection/re-snapping strategy, and relationship class reconstruction.
- Design network connectivity reconstruction strategy: how SmallWorld snapping-based connectivity translates to UN coincident-vertex or terminal-based connectivity, including gap/tolerance resolution rules.
- Establish migration sequencing: load order dependencies (containment structures before contained features, network sources before associations), domain value migration, and subnetwork seed initialization.
- Design and lead iterative mock migration cycles; define validation KPIs — connectivity rate, attribute completeness, tracing correctness, and spatial accuracy — and own defect remediation through go-live.
- Application Architecture — Magik Replacement
- Inventory and classify SmallWorld Magik customizations by type: UI workflows (menus, dialogs), business rules (validation, auto-complete), batch processes (reporting, conversion), and integration adapters (OMS feeds, SCADA links).
- Design replacement architecture for each customization category: ArcGIS Pro Add-ins (C#/.NET), Python scripts, Arcade expressions, ArcGIS Notebooks, or native ArcGIS Enterprise capabilities.
- Define the ArcGIS Pro configuration architecture: project templates, layer file standards, map packages, geoprocessing tool deployment, and Pro Add-in distribution mechanism.
- Architect the ESRI Field Maps / Survey123 deployment: map configuration, offline area definitions, feature service publishing strategy, attachment handling, and sync conflict resolution.
- Design ArcGIS Enterprise portal architecture: federated services, item sharing model, web app deployments (ArcGIS Web AppBuilder / Experience Builder), and named user licensing model.
- Integration Architecture
- Define GIS integration architecture with OMS/DMS (GE ADMS, Schneider SCADA, ABB): network model export/sync, switching sheet generation, outage polygon derivation, and crew/asset location feeds.
- Design SAP PM – GIS bi-directional integration: equipment/functional location record synchronization, work order spatial attachment, and field mobility data exchange patterns.
- Architect GIS-to-CIS / GIS-to-AMI integration: service point linkage, meter spatial location, and premise geometry derivation where applicable.
- Define the ArcGIS Enterprise REST API integration model for connected applications: versioned editing via REST, feature service query patterns, and network diagram service consumption by OMS.
- Collaborate with middleware/integration architects on interface specifications, data contract definitions, and event-driven vs. batch synchronization architecture decisions.
- Data Migration Execution & Quality
- Lead or directly execute FME workspace development or Python/arcpy ETL scripts for SmallWorld-to-UN data migration; govern transformation logic through code review and peer validation.
- Establish and enforce data quality rules: attribute completeness standards, domain value mapping validation, geometry quality thresholds, and network connectivity acceptance criteria.
- Lead migration validation and reconciliation activities across mock cutover cycles; own defect triage and resolution prioritization against go-live criteria.
- Define the data migration runbook: environment promotion sequence, load timing, rollback triggers, and post-load validation checklist.
- Team Leadership & Knowledge Transfer Lead a team of 3–8 GIS analysts, data migration specialists, and application developers across design, build, test, and deploy phases.
- Mentor junior GIS consultants on ESRI UN configuration, SmallWorld data model analysis, and utility network operations knowledge.
- Design and deliver role-based training curriculum for client GIS analysts, network editors, field crew supervisors, and OMS operators on ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, and UN-integrated workflows.
- Produce comprehensive knowledge transfer materials enabling client self-sufficiency: UN configuration guide, schema data dictionary, migration runbook, and hypercare troubleshooting playbook.
- Testing & Quality Assurance
- Author and review functional test scripts for UN configuration, network tracing, migration validation, OMS integration, and Field Maps regression testing.
- Lead resolution of GIS-related defects during SIT and UAT cycles; triage and prioritize go-live acceptance criteria.
- Validate end-to-end business process scenarios spanning GIS, OMS, SAP PM, field mobility, and reporting touchpoints.
What You Will Need:
- TEN (10)+ years of professional work experience.
- FIVE (5)+ years of GIS consulting or utility GIS technical experience and specializing in ESRI ArcGIS for utilities.
- Full-lifecycle ESRI ArcGIS Utility Network implementations at electric, gas, or water utilities in a lead architect or solution lead capacity.
- ESRI UN configuration experience: domain network creation, tier and terminal definition, subnetwork controller assignment, and network rule configuration in ArcGIS Pro.
- Experience with G/Technology module feature class schemas (Electric, Gas, or Water) — required for source data assessment and migration scoping.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or relevant experience may be substituted for formal education or advanced degree.
What Would Be Nice To Have:
- Experience with SmallWorld-to-ESRI UN migration program with hands-on responsibility for source-to-target schema mapping, ETL design, and network connectivity reconstruction.
- Degree preferred field of Geography, GIS, Geomatics, Computer Science, Civil or Electrical Engineering, or related field required.
- Advanced degree or professional GIS certification a plus.
- ESRI Technical Certification: ArcGIS Pro Specialty, Utility Network Specialty, or ArcGIS Enterprise Administration Specialty.
- Hands-on FME Safe Software certification or advanced FME workspace development experience specifically for GDM-to-UN data conversion.
- Experience with Schneider Electric ArcFM — relevant for ArcFM-to-UN migrations or hybrid environments where ArcFM survives alongside UN during phased transitions.
- Knowledge of GE ADMS / GE SCADA integration with ESRI UN: network model export, CIM XML exchange, and outage detection polygon generation.
- Familiarity with ESRI ArcGIS Velocity (formerly IoT Server) for real-time GIS feeds from SCADA, AMI, or field sensors.
- Experience with ArcGIS Indoors or ArcGIS Experience Builder for substation or facility spatial management use cases.
- Exposure to ArcGIS Image Server or ArcGIS Notebooks for utility corridor imagery analysis, LiDAR integration, or vegetation management GIS workflows.
- Working knowledge of NERC CIP CIP-002 asset identification requirements as they relate to GIS-based BES asset inventory and the GIS-as-system-of-record model for compliance.
- Experience with utility network operations sufficient to assess functional equivalence between SmallWorld and UN workflows: outage switching, work order attach, network tracing for load flow or pressure analysis.
- Familiarity with ESRI ArcGIS Living Atlas utility content and ESRI's Utility Network Reference Implementation as a design baseline.
- Demonstrated ETL or data migration execution experience using FME Safe Software or Python/arcpy for large-scale geodatabase migrations (≥ 1M features).
- Technical Depth
- Proficient ArcGIS Utility Network configuration: UN Geodatabase design, network topology, subnetwork definitions, and ArcGIS Pro 3.x administration.
- Working knowledge of GE SmallWorld Magik language and G/Technology application architecture sufficient to assess customization migration complexity.
- Strong understanding of ArcGIS Enterprise architecture: Portal for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Server, data stores (relational, tile cache, spatiotemporal), and high-availability deployment patterns.
- Proficiency with Python (arcpy), ArcGIS Pro Add-in SDK (C#/.NET), and Arcade expression language for UN attribute rules, validation rules, and diagram rules.
- Working knowledge of GIS integration patterns: REST API services, OGC standards (WFS, WMS), GeoJSON, and enterprise middleware (MuleSoft, Dell Boomi, Azure Integration Services) as they apply to GIS data exchange.
The annual salary range for this position is $206,000.00-$343,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.
What We Offer:
Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.
Benefits include:
Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Basic Life & Supplemental Life
Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Student Loan PayDown
Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
Skills Development & Certifications
Employee Referral Program
Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
Mobility Stipend
About Guidehouse
Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.
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