Director, Infrastructure Engineering
About the Role
Technology enables every part of Columbia Sportswear's global business, from ecommerce and retail to supply chain and corporate operations. We're seeking a Director of Infrastructure Engineering to lead the strategy, modernization, delivery, and operation of our global infrastructure environment. In this role, you will lead teams responsible for cloud, network, compute, storage, and infrastructure services while helping shape the future of Columbia's technology platform.
Working closely with Architecture, Engineering, Security, Product, and business leaders, you will drive infrastructure initiatives that enhance scalability, reliability, security, and operational excellence across the enterprise. This position is ideal for a leader who combines strategic vision with strong technical expertise. You will influence long-term technology direction while remaining connected to the engineering challenges and architectural decisions that support Columbia's global growth. Success in this role requires the ability to balance modernization, operational performance, and business priorities while delivering resilient technology solutions at scale.
Responsibilities
- Define and execute the infrastructure strategy and technology roadmap supporting Columbia's global business.
- Lead infrastructure modernization initiatives across cloud, network, compute, storage, and operational platforms.
- Drive multi-cloud and hybrid cloud transformation efforts across Azure and AWS environments.
- Partner with architecture, engineering, and security teams to design scalable, secure, and resilient solutions.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance during major incidents, operational challenges, and infrastructure change initiatives.
- Develop and mentor high-performing managers and engineers while fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
- Build strong partnerships across Digital Technology and business teams to align technology investments with business priorities.
- Oversee key infrastructure vendors, managed service providers, and strategic technology partnerships.
- Manage infrastructure budgets and investments while balancing cost, risk, performance, and business value.
Qualifications
You are a strategic infrastructure leader who remains closely connected to technical execution. Comfortable engaging directly with engineers to solve complex technical and operational challenges. Skilled at balancing long-term modernization goals with day-to-day operational excellence. A collaborative partner who can build alignment across technical and business teams. A systems thinker who understands how infrastructure, applications, security, and operations work together to deliver business outcomes. An authentic people leader who develops talent and builds highly engaged teams. An effective communicator who can translate complex technical concepts for a variety of audiences.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years of progressive infrastructure leadership experience within complex enterprise environments.
- Experience leading infrastructure engineering teams supporting cloud, network, compute, storage, and platform services.
- Strong experience with Azure, AWS, and hybrid cloud environments.
- Experience leading cloud migration and infrastructure modernization initiatives, including lift-and-shift programs.
- Deep understanding of enterprise networking, network architecture, and network segmentation.
- Experience improving infrastructure operations through automation, observability, and service management practices.
- Demonstrated success leading geographically distributed teams and delivering results through influence and collaboration.
- Experience managing vendor relationships, technology budgets, and infrastructure investments.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Preferred Experience
- Implementing or maturing a CMDB.
- Experience with AIOps, event correlation, or modern service management practices.
- Experience supporting retail, ecommerce, supply chain, or other customer-facing environments.
- Experience within the apparel, footwear, retail, or consumer products industry.
Benefits
Columbia Sportswear is proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career, and community.
- 401k plan with a generous company match to help protect your family’s financial future and save money.
- Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability coverage.
- Flexible spending accounts and health savings account.
- Assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services).
- Free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services through EAP+.
- Extensive wellness benefits and employee discounts.
- Generous time off program.