Principal Systems Analyst (Enterprise Technology Services)

Salary : $141,989.83 - $172,589.52 Annually
Location : 375 Beale St # 600, San Francisco, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: LL2026PRN_ETS
Department: Enterprise Technology Solutions
Opening Date: 10/01/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
The Air District is currently accepting applications for the position of Principal Systems Analyst in the Enterprise Technology Division. This is an open recruitment for one (1) full-time, represented position.

About the Position
Under the general direction of the Director of Enterprise Technology Services, the Principal Systems Analyst, in the role of the Enterprise Solutions Architect for the District, performs the most complex IT systems assignments and provides project leadership and oversight of critical IT initiatives, including the analysis, design, development, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise IT solutions.

View the full classification specification here:

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead architecture and solution design efforts for enterprise applications, cloud services, integrations, digital transformation and other business facing initiatives.
• Develop and maintain enterprise architecture standards, principles, patterns, and best practices.
• Design scalable solutions leveraging Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and other cloud-based platforms.
• Define integration strategies, processes and architectures for enterprise systems, document management, CRM, permitting, grants management, analytics, and workflow systems.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure solutions meet security, compliance, and governance requirements.
• Evaluate new technologies and provide recommendations that align with business objectives and strategic roadmaps.
• Lead software and system architectural reviews and provide senior technical oversight throughout project lifecycles.
• Work with project teams to develop technical requirements, solution designs, roadmaps, and implementation plans.
• Provide for solutions support, accessibility standards, data governance requirements, and regulatory compliance obligations.
• Develop architecture documentation, diagrams, technical standards, and governance processes.
• Support enterprise AI, automation, analytics, and digital service initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and public service delivery.
• Mentor technical staff and promote architectural best practices across the organization.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Under general direction, performs the most complex IT systems assignments and provides project leadership and oversight of critical IT initiatives, including the analysis, design, development, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise IT solutions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class provides the most complex and specialized IT services in support of the Air District's goals and objectives. Incumbents are responsible for providing subject matter expertise and oversees the most advanced IT projects and solutions, requiring extensive expertise and independent judgment. Incumbents provide technical leadership on major projects, manage complex IT systems, and coordinate efforts across functional areas.

This class is distinguished from the Supervising Systems Analyst is that the latter assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of assigned staff on a continuing basis. This class is also distinguished from the Manager level in that the latter has managerial responsibility for assigned programs and staff, and for all defined functional areas.
Examples of Duties for this Position

The following duties are typical for jobs in the class. They are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the full scope of job duties.
Provides technical leadership for the design, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise IT systems.

Provides lead direction, and reviews the work of staff. Prioritizes and follows up on work assignments to ensure timely and accurate completion.

Advises management on IT governance, policies, and strategies to align with organizational goals.

Leads the architecture and integration of IT solutions across platforms, ensuring scalability, interoperability, and security.

Develops and leads multi-year IT roadmaps and ensures alignment with strategic objectives.

Oversees major IT initiatives, including planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

Ensures timely delivery of projects while adhering to budget constraints and quality standards.
Resolves the most complex IT issues, providing technical expertise and innovative solutions.
Develops advanced monitoring and optimization strategies to ensure system performance and reliability.

Develops and enforces IT standards, policies, and best practices for system security, data integrity, and operational efficiency.

Ensures compliance with District, local, state, and federal IT regulations.

Leads the implementation of CI/CD pipelines and other DevOps practices to improve deployment processes.

Automates routine IT tasks to enhance efficiency and reduce operational risks.

Oversees the design and optimization of data pipelines, warehouses, and analytics platforms.

Ensures the security, accessibility, and integrity of organizational data services.

Represents the District in meetings with external stakeholders, vendors, and partner organizations.

Prepares and delivers presentations, reports, and technical documentation to diverse audiences.

Provides guidance and training to IT staff on complex systems and emerging technologies.

Participates in the preparation of the strategic goals and objectives, and budget of the assigned programs.

Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for this classification.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in computer science, information technology, or a closely related field and four years of experience in systems analysis, design, and IT project management, including significant experience in leading large-scale IT initiatives.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.
Desirable qualifications/skills
Cloud computing, virtualization, and cybersecurity frameworks.

Advanced database design and analytics platforms.

DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines and automation tools.

IT governance, compliance, and regulatory requirements.

Advanced project management methodologies and tools.

System integration and interoperability principles.

Managing and maintaining IT infrastructure and systems.

Data transfer processes and database management.

Network principles and infrastructure to support data and application integration.

IT best practices to ensure sufficient and secure systems operations.

Cybersecurity principles to protect data.

Building solutions using Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms.

Advanced principles of systems analysis, design, and integration.

IT security best practices, including cybersecurity frameworks.

Project management methodologies and tools.

Database management and data analytics techniques.

Programming languages, software development processes, and tools.
Skills in:

Leading complex, multi-disciplinary IT projects.

Analyzing and solving advanced technical issues.

Communicating IT concepts to technical and non-technical and diverse audiences.

Developing and implementing IT policies, standards, and procedures.

Mentoring and developing IT staff.

Leading technical projects and cross-functional teams.

Developing and maintaining documentation, including technical specifications.

Analytical thinking and problem solving.

Communicating effectively through excellent verbal, listening, and written communication.

Installing, monitoring, and maintaining systems and software.

Using system performance tools to determine hardware, software, communications and software performance levels and making necessary adjustments.

Using various methods, procedures, techniques and programming languages involved in implementing, maintaining and fine-tuning computer hardware and software, communications systems and databases.

Managing multiple tasks, prioritizing workloads, and meeting established deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Training, reviewing, and evaluating the work of professional, technical, and support staff.

Exercising sound independent judgment and decision making within established guidelines.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
How to Apply & Selection Criteria
How to Apply
Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory, and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Applications must be submitted online; please visit our website at to apply. Postmarked, faxed, and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered.

Supplemental Questions Instructions
Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Division no later than the time and date specified in this vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria section.

Please limit your responses to no more than 500 words per question. Do not combine your responses or reference your application, resume, or any other requested documentation that you have included with your application packet to answer a question. This information will be evaluated as is and may be used to determine those applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training to continue in the selection process. It is very important to provide a concise, clear, legible, complete response to each question.

Selection Criteria
Selection may be based upon a competitive examination consisting of a written exercise, interview, or combination of the two. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, an application screening and/or panel interview may be used to determine the most qualified applicants.

The Air District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.

The Air District offers the following benefits for full-time, represented and management positions:

• Cost-Sharing Medical, Dental & Vision Options
• Life Insurance (up to 5 times annual salary)
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• Money Purchase Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Transit Subsidy
• Education Reimbursement
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Floating Holiday Leave
• 9-80 Compressed Work Week
• Flexible schedule and Remote Work option