Job Summary

The GDS Technical Services Principal Engineer is part of a group of gTLD technical experts in ICANN org. They are primarily responsible for managing technical systems related to gTLD registries and registrars, and to provide technical input and expertise to other departments in ICANN org. The Principal Engineer is someone with multiple years of experience in the technical side of a registry and/or registrar of domain names.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

• Manage software development projects with experience in the role of product manager of custom developed solutions. This position will interact with internal areas, contractors, and Internet community volunteers for the development of such solutions.
• Provide DNS registry and/or registrar systems engineering and technical expertise and manage technical projects and external relationships, to address operational issues impacting gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) registries and registrars.
• Provide systems engineering and technical expertise to address operational issues impacting gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) registries and registrars.
• Serve as a technical resource on Internet system registry and registration services, Domain Name System (DNS) issues, and (ideally) Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs).
• Design technical protocols to facilitate the interaction between the Registries, Registrars, Data Escrow Agents, Trademark Clearing House (TMCH), etc.
• Provide technical oversight and advice for the gTLD registry accreditation/application process, and the evaluation and consideration of new services through the Registry Services Evaluation Process (RSEP).
• Write detailed documents to report tests results, document processes, charter projects, report progress of projects, etc.
• Develop and implement processes to streamline operational activities.
• Guide efforts to integrate programs and processes.
• As needed, provide support to the Contractual Compliance team to facilitate gTLD Registry compliance with the technical aspects of agreements and ICANN policy, to the Policy team for implementation of new gTLD registry policies, and to other ICANN teams to resolve issues impacting gTLD Registries and Registrars.
• Answer questions and assist in the resolution of disputes with Internet registries, registrars and community members.
• Prepare detailed technical documentation, reports, presentations and speeches for both internal and external audiences.
• From time to time, attend and participate in regional and international Internet technical forums and community meetings.
• Participate in 24x7 on-call weekly shifts. If an emergency impacts the availability of gTLDs’ critical services during the scheduled shift, the participant is expected to be reachable via mobile phone to provide troubleshooting and escalation activities.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 

• Broad knowledge and experience in Domain Name System (DNS), DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP), WHOIS, Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP), and Data Escrow standards.
• Experience in Software development. Agile development knowledge desired.
• Demonstrated ability in at least one high-level programming language (e.g., Perl, Python, Java).
• Excellent skills as power user of Unix systems.
• Very good English-writing skills particularly regarding technical documents.
• Experience using XML and JSON.
• Bachelor's or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, or related field, plus 12 years of progressive, post-baccalaureate experience in the job, or in technical capacity with a Top-Level Domain (TLD) registry or domain name registrar.
• Alternatively, will accept a master's or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, or related field, plus 8 years of experience in the job, or in a technical capacity with a Top-Level Domain (TLD) registry or domain name registrar.
• Experience with Internationalized Domain Names for Applications (IDNA).
• Network routing (BGP) knowledge desired.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 12 years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or 8 years of experience with a master’s degree, in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, or related field.
• Experience: Select all applicable - can add strongly preferred or highly desired.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive work experience in technical capacity with a Top-Level Domain (TLD) registry or domain name registrar.

Languages: 

• ICANN values diversity and gives preference to candidates with demonstrated skills in languages in addition to proficient written and spoken English.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in a normal office environment with limited privacy and some exposure to background noise.
• Work Location is Flexible.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally 5% of the time.