Platform Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Platform Design Manager

Company: SAIC

Location: Washington, DC

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Technology / Collaboration Platform Management

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design, deployment, and operational management of enterprise-scale Google and Microsoft collaboration platforms.

• Drive modernization initiatives for collaboration tools, focusing on efficiency, security, and user adoption.

• Implement and maintain robust governance frameworks for platform usage, data sharing, and lifecycle management.

• Automate business processes and workflows using platform-specific tools to reduce manual effort and enhance productivity.

• Manage and support migration projects, ensuring seamless transitions and minimal disruption to end-users.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead Senior Collaboration Platform Designer" with a strong emphasis on operational management. The title "Platform Design Manager" suggests a blend of strategic design and team leadership, focusing on the practical application and ongoing support of collaboration technologies. The "10+ years" experience level, coupled with leading a team of 10-15, indicates a senior individual contributor or a first-line management role within a larger IT operations structure. The primary focus is on hands-on operational expertise rather than pure strategic architecture.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Administer and provide day-to-day operational support for Google Workspace (including Sites, Drive) and Microsoft Collaboration platforms (SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive).

• Configure and enforce collaboration governance policies, including external sharing, data retention, sensitivity labels, and lifecycle management, adhering to least privilege principles.

• Monitor platform health, service status, usage patterns, and generate reports using Google and Microsoft Admin centers to ensure optimal performance and identify trends.

• Lead root-cause analysis for production issues, manage problem resolution within defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and maintain operational stability across development, test, and production environments.

• Design, build, and maintain business solutions leveraging Google Platform Tools (Looker Studio, AppSheet, Workspace Studio) and Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Dataverse, SharePoint Lists) to meet specific business needs.

• Automate repetitive business processes and workflows using Google Platform Tools, Power Automate (cloud and desktop flows/RPA), and configure event-driven workflows and forms automation.

• Develop and maintain collaboration dashboards and reports to provide insights into operational metrics, platform usage, and SLA performance for stakeholders.

• Strategically manage and execute collaboration platform migration projects, including on-premises to cloud, tenant-to-tenant, and Microsoft 365 migrations, overseeing cutovers, validation, and stabilization phases.

• Analyze content, sites, and dependencies to plan and execute complex migrations, ensuring successful transfer of document libraries, lists, and workflows.

• Manage the integration of Google and Microsoft collaboration services with enterprise systems, including identity platforms (Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD), line-of-business applications, and third-party tooling.

• Collaborate closely with security, networking, and application teams to ensure seamless integration and adherence to enterprise standards.

• Oversee the deployment, provisioning, and release management of applications and automation flows developed on the collaboration platforms.

• Provide technical guidance and review solution designs for scalability, security, compliance, and long-term supportability from business teams and developers.

• Support reporting and analytics capabilities using tools like Google Looker, Power BI, and native Google/Microsoft usage reporting to track adoption and performance.

• Ensure robust collaboration data governance, access controls, and performance tuning to maintain platform integrity and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a hands-on, operational role with a strong development and automation component. The emphasis on "enterprise scale" and "production environments" signifies a need for robust process management, incident handling, and performance optimization. The inclusion of specific tools like Power Apps, Power Automate, Looker Studio, and Microsoft Graph points towards a need for practical implementation skills. The mention of leading a team suggests oversight of daily operations, incident queues, and quality assurance, which is a key aspect of operational leadership.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree with 14+ years of experience, OR

• Master's Degree with 12+ years of experience, OR

• PhD with 9+ years of experience. Experience:

• 8+ years of hands-on experience designing, deploying, automating, migrating, and supporting collaboration platforms in production environments.

• Proven experience leading a team of 10-15 individuals in day-to-day operational management, including incident resolution, problem management, quality assurance, and SLA adherence. Required Skills:

• Google Workspace Administration & Operations: Proficient in administering and supporting Google Workspace collaboration tools (Gmail, Sites, Drive, Meet, Forms, etc.).

• Microsoft 365 Administration & Operations: Proficient in administering and supporting SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and Microsoft 365 Groups.

• Platform Governance: Experience in managing and supporting platform governance, permissions, external sharing, retention policies, and lifecycle management.

• Power Platform Development: Hands-on experience with Power Apps (canvas and model-driven apps), Dataverse, and SharePoint lists as data sources.

• Automation & Workflow: Expertise in automating business processes using Power Automate (cloud flows, desktop flows/RPA), Google Platform Tools, and configuring event-driven workflows and forms automation.

• Migration Experience: Experience with collaboration platform migrations, including on-premises SharePoint to SharePoint Online, and tenant-to-tenant migrations.

• Scripting & Automation Tools: Proficiency with Google Cloud CLI and PowerShell for automation and administration tasks.

• Operational Management: Proven experience in incident, problem management, quality assurance, and SLA analysis.

• Troubleshooting & Communication: Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across teams.

• Identity Management: Experience supporting enterprise identity integrations, including Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) and Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Large-Scale Google Collaboration: Experience with Google Collaboration platform at enterprise scale.

• Large-Scale Power Platform: Experience with the Power Platform at enterprise scale, including model-driven apps, Dataverse, and solution/Application Lifecycle Management (ALM).

• Advanced Power Automate: Experience with workflow/forms automation using Power Automate at enterprise scale.

• Microsoft Graph & APIs: Experience with Microsoft Graph, Azure, and custom app integration with Teams/SharePoint.

• Security & Compliance: Familiarity with Google and Microsoft security, compliance, and information governance best practices.

• Certifications: Google Collaboration & Workspace Certifications, MS-700, PL-900/PL-100/PL-400, SC-400, MS-102.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are highly specific to the two major collaboration ecosystems (Google Workspace and Microsoft 365/Power Platform). The emphasis on "hands-on experience designing, deploying, automating, migrating, and supporting" in "production environments" is critical and directly stated as being more valuable than certifications. The leadership requirement for managing a team of 10-15 is a significant differentiator for this role, implying a need for operational leadership skills beyond individual technical contribution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Process Optimization Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you've analyzed existing workflows and implemented improvements using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365/Power Platform to increase efficiency and reduce manual effort.

• Automation Project Demonstrations: Include case studies or examples of automated processes (e.g., using Power Automate, Google Scripts) with clear explanations of the problem solved, the solution implemented, and the measurable impact (time saved, error reduction).

• Platform Design & Implementation Examples: Provide documentation or visual representations of collaboration platform designs (e.g., SharePoint site structures, Teams channel strategies, Google Sites layouts) that adhere to governance and security best practices.

• Migration Project Deliverables: Demonstrate experience with migration projects by detailing planning, execution, and validation phases, including any challenges overcome and lessons learned.

• Reporting & Dashboard Examples: Showcase examples of dashboards or reports created using Looker Studio or Power BI that provide insights into platform usage, health, or SLA performance.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Documented processes for analyzing user needs, designing efficient workflows, and iterating based on feedback and performance data.

• System Implementation & Automation: Standardized procedures for deploying new features, applications, and automation scripts, including testing, validation, and release management.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Processes for monitoring platform health, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing SLA adherence, and generating actionable reports for stakeholders.

• Governance Frameworks: Documented frameworks for managing platform access, data security, content lifecycle, and compliance policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Platform Design Manager" with a strong operational focus, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of skills is crucial. This should include tangible proof of process improvement, automation, and effective platform management. The emphasis on "hands-on experience" means candidates should be prepared to walk through their contributions and highlight the impact of their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated salary range for this position in Washington, DC, for a Platform Design Manager with 10+ years of experience and leadership responsibilities in the IT sector, is between $140,000 and $190,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior IT roles, considering the required experience level, team leadership duties, and the specific technical skills in demand for managing enterprise-level collaboration platforms. The exact salary will be determined by SAIC based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and alignment with the specific role requirements.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage

• Professional Development Opportunities and Training

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Potential for Performance-Based Bonuses Working Hours:

• Standard Work Week: 40 hours per week.

• Support Window: Availability required during the 7 AM - 7 PM Eastern support window, which may involve rotating on-call duties or staggered shifts to ensure continuous coverage.

• Flexibility: While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility for remote work on occasion, subject to business needs and management approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for a senior-level IT management role in Washington D.C., considering the experience and leadership requirements. Benefits are typical for a large, established company like SAIC, focusing on comprehensive employee well-being and career development, which are attractive to operations professionals. The "7 AM - 7 PM Eastern support window" is a critical detail for operations roles, indicating a need for extended coverage and potential off-hours work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology & Government Contracting. SAIC operates as a premier mission integrator, focusing on advancing technology and innovation for defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets. This means a strong emphasis on secure, high-end solutions and critical national imperatives.

Company Size: Approximately 23,000 employees. This large organizational size suggests a structured environment with established processes, robust IT infrastructure, and opportunities for specialization within larger teams. For operations professionals, this often means working with well-defined protocols and a wide array of enterprise tools.

Founded: SAIC was founded in 1969, indicating a long history and deep experience in the technology and government contracting sectors. This longevity suggests stability and a mature operational framework.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Focus: The role implies being part of a larger IT operations or platform engineering team, likely responsible for the enterprise-wide deployment and management of collaboration services.

• Reporting Structure: The "Lead" aspect and team management responsibility suggest a reporting line to a Director or Senior Manager of IT Operations or Infrastructure. The team managed would likely consist of collaboration platform administrators, support specialists, and potentially junior developers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaboration platform managers frequently work with various departments, including IT Security, Network Operations, Application Development, End-User Support, and business stakeholders across different government agencies or civilian departments.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Operations: Emphasis on monitoring platform health, usage, and SLA adherence using analytics tools like Google Admin centers, Microsoft Admin centers, Looker Studio, and Power BI.

• Process Optimization: A core function involves analyzing and automating business processes and workflows to enhance efficiency, reduce manual effort, and improve user experience.

• Agile & Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated, the nature of platform modernization and application development using Power Platform and Google tools often involves iterative design, testing, and deployment cycles.

Company Website: http://www.saic.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: SAIC's focus on government contracting and defense sectors implies a high degree of security consciousness, strict compliance requirements, and a structured approach to IT operations. The large company size suggests a complex IT environment where standardization and robust process management are paramount. The role's emphasis on "enterprise scale" aligns well with SAIC's mission-critical focus.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior individual contributor or first-line management level, focusing on the practical application and operational oversight of collaboration platforms. It requires deep technical expertise combined with leadership in managing daily operations, team performance, and service level agreements.

Reporting Structure: The Platform Design Manager will likely report to a higher-level IT Operations or Infrastructure Manager. They will directly manage a team of 10-15 specialists, including administrators and potentially junior developers focused on the Google and Microsoft collaboration ecosystems.

Operations Impact: The role has a significant impact on organizational productivity and efficiency by ensuring the smooth operation, continuous improvement, and user adoption of critical collaboration tools. Effective management of these platforms directly supports mission-critical operations and communication across various government and civilian sectors.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher management roles overseeing broader IT operations, infrastructure, or digital workplace services.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like cloud architecture, cybersecurity for collaboration platforms, or advanced automation within Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunity to transition into roles focused on enterprise architecture, IT strategy, or project management for large-scale technology deployments.

• Continuous Learning: Access to training and certifications for emerging technologies within Google Cloud and Microsoft ecosystems, fostering ongoing skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within IT operations and management, particularly within a large organization like SAIC. The dual focus on Google and Microsoft platforms provides a broad skill set valuable in the current technology landscape. The leadership component is a key differentiator for career growth into management positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position at a customer site in Washington, DC. This indicates a potentially more formal work environment, common in government contracting, with a focus on security and adherence to site-specific protocols.

Office Location(s): Washington, DC. This location offers access to a major metropolitan hub with extensive public transportation options.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role involves leading a team and interacting with various internal and external stakeholders, suggesting a need for effective communication and teamwork within the physical office space.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to robust IT infrastructure, including workstations, network connectivity, and enterprise-level collaboration and management tools necessary for daily operations and development.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with team members, IT leadership, and potentially end-users or client representatives, fostering a shared understanding of operational goals and challenges.

Work Schedule:

• Standard Hours: Primarily a standard 40-hour work week.

• Extended Coverage: Must be available during the 7 AM - 7 PM Eastern support window, which implies a need for staggered shifts or on-call responsibilities to cover these hours. This ensures continuous operational support for critical collaboration services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Washington, DC, at a customer site, suggests a professional and secure work environment aligned with government contracting standards. The extended support window emphasizes the critical nature of collaboration platform uptime and the operational demands placed on the team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and qualifications to assess basic fit with the role's requirements, focusing on years of experience, team leadership, and core collaboration platform skills.

• Technical Interview: In-depth discussion of your hands-on experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365/Power Platform. Expect scenario-based questions covering administration, troubleshooting, automation, migration, and governance. Be prepared to discuss specific technical challenges you've overcome.

• Leadership & Operational Management Interview: Assessment of your experience leading a team of 10-15, managing operational workflows (incidents, problems, SLAs), and your approach to team performance and development.

• Portfolio Review/Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your process optimization, automation, and platform design achievements. This is where you articulate the "how" and "why" behind your successes.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with higher-level management or client representatives to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall suitability for the role and SAIC's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Case Studies: Choose 2-3 of your most impactful projects that highlight your expertise in platform design, automation, migration, and operational management.

• Structure Your Narratives: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and approach, the solution implemented, the tools used, and most importantly, the quantifiable results (e.g., time saved, efficiency gained, errors reduced, adoption rates improved).

• Demonstrate Technical Depth: Be ready to explain the technical intricacies of your solutions, including the architecture, scripting, or configuration details, especially for automation and integration tasks.

• Highlight Leadership Contributions: If applicable, showcase how you guided your team, managed priorities, or improved team processes to achieve project goals.

• Tailor to SAIC's Mission: Frame your experience in the context of supporting enterprise-level, mission-critical operations, emphasizing security, compliance, and reliability.

Challenge Preparation:

• Platform Design Scenario: You might be given a hypothetical business requirement and asked to outline a design for a collaboration solution using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, detailing the components, governance, and potential automation.

• Troubleshooting Simulation: A scenario involving a common collaboration platform issue (e.g., access problems, performance degradation) where you need to describe your diagnostic steps and resolution plan.

• Automation Strategy: A request to outline an automation strategy for a specific manual process, detailing the tools, steps, and expected outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical experience and leadership. A strong portfolio demonstrating tangible results is essential, particularly for showcasing automation and process improvement. Be prepared to articulate your technical solutions and their business impact clearly. The "public trust" requirement implies a thorough background check, which is standard for government contracting roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Google Workspace: Gmail, Google Sites, Google Drive, Google Meet, Google Forms, Google AppSheet, Google Workspace Studio, Looker Studio, Google Cloud CLI.

• Microsoft 365: SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Microsoft 365 Groups, Microsoft Graph, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), PowerShell.

• Power Platform: Power Apps (Canvas & Model-Driven Apps), Power Automate (Cloud & Desktop Flows/RPA), Dataverse, Power BI.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Admin Center: For usage, health, and service monitoring.

• Microsoft 365 Admin Center: For service health, usage statistics, and security configurations.

• Looker Studio: For creating dashboards and reports on Google Workspace data.

• Power BI: For creating interactive dashboards and reports on Microsoft 365/Power Platform data.

CRM & Automation:

• Identity Platforms: Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), Active Directory, SSO solutions.

• Third-Party Tooling: Experience with migration and governance tools like Sharegate, Metalogix, or AvePoint is a plus.

• APIs & Connectors: Familiarity with Microsoft Graph, REST APIs, and various connectors for system integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires deep proficiency across both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 ecosystems, with a strong emphasis on the Power Platform and automation tools. Experience with scripting (PowerShell, Google Cloud CLI) is crucial for automating administrative tasks and deployments. Familiarity with identity management and third-party migration tools is also highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the organization's mission and critical national imperatives through reliable and efficient technology operations.

• Excellence & Accountability: Driving high standards in platform performance, incident resolution, and SLA adherence, taking ownership of operational outcomes.

• Innovation & Efficiency: Continuously seeking ways to improve processes, automate tasks, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and reduce costs.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment where team members share knowledge, support each other, and work together to achieve common goals.

• Security & Compliance: Upholding strict security protocols and compliance standards in all aspects of platform management and data handling.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with IT security, development, and business units to ensure seamless integration of collaboration tools and solutions.

• Process Improvement Culture: Encouraging feedback loops and continuous refinement of operational processes and workflows.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture of sharing best practices, technical knowledge, and lessons learned among team members and across departments.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing analytics and reporting to drive decisions related to platform optimization, user adoption, and service improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given SAIC's domain, the team culture likely emphasizes professionalism, adherence to process, and a strong sense of responsibility towards mission-critical objectives. Collaboration is key, as these platforms touch almost every aspect of an organization's operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Dual Ecosystem Management: Effectively managing and integrating two distinct, yet overlapping, collaboration ecosystems (Google Workspace and Microsoft 365/Power Platform) at an enterprise scale.

• Platform Modernization Pace: Keeping up with the rapid evolution of features and services within both Google and Microsoft platforms, and strategically adopting new functionalities.

• User Adoption & Training: Ensuring end-users effectively utilize the advanced features of collaboration tools and adhere to governance policies.

• Security & Compliance in a Government Context: Navigating stringent security requirements and compliance mandates inherent in government contracting.

• Automation Implementation: Identifying and implementing effective automation solutions that provide tangible ROI while maintaining system stability and security.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Certifications: Pursuing specialized certifications in Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure/Microsoft 365, focusing on platform administration, security, or development.

• New Technology Adoption: Gaining hands-on experience with emerging features like Google Gemini or advanced AI capabilities within the Power Platform.

• Leadership Training: Developing management and team leadership skills through internal programs or external courses.

• Industry Conferences: Attending relevant conferences (e.g., Google Cloud Next, Microsoft Ignite) to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior IT leaders or to mentor junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in the breadth of technologies managed and the critical nature of the environment. Growth opportunities are strong, especially for those looking to advance into broader IT leadership roles or deepen their specialization in complex enterprise IT environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a team through a significant platform migration. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure success?" (Focus on leadership, planning, execution, and problem-solving).

• "How do you balance the need for robust governance and security with user productivity and ease of access in a large enterprise environment?" (Highlight your understanding of least privilege, policy implementation, and user experience).

• "Walk me through a complex automation you designed and implemented using Power Automate or Google Platform Tools. What was the business problem, and what was the measurable impact?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio).

• "How would you assess the health and adoption of our collaboration platforms and what metrics would you track?" (Demonstrate your understanding of operational KPIs and reporting). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about SAIC and our mission in the government contracting space? How does your experience align with our focus on mission integration and technology?" (Research SAIC's website, recent news, and their role in defense/intelligence).

• "Describe your experience working within a structured, potentially government-regulated environment. How do you ensure compliance and security?" (Emphasize your understanding of sensitive environments and adherence to protocols).

• "How do you foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within an IT operations team?" (Share examples of team-building activities, documentation practices, or shared learning initiatives). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Your Best: Choose 2-3 high-impact projects that showcase your breadth of skills (design, automation, migration, operations) and your leadership experience.

• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the problem, your solution, the tools used, and the quantifiable results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight Technical Details: Be prepared to dive into the technical aspects of your solutions, especially for automation and integration.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the benefits your work brought to the organization (e.g., time saved, cost reduced, efficiency increased).

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges encountered, and alternative approaches considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily focus on practical, hands-on experience and leadership. Be prepared to articulate your contributions with specific examples and quantifiable results. Understanding SAIC's mission and the demands of government contracting is crucial for demonstrating cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the SAIC careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Select 2-3 key projects that best represent your experience in platform design, automation, migration, and operational leadership. Prepare to present these with a clear narrative of the problem, your solution, and the quantifiable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, team leadership (managing 10-15 people), and operational management (SLA, incident, problem management). Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your technical solutions and leadership experiences using the STAR method. Prepare specific examples for scenario-based questions related to platform design, automation, and troubleshooting. Research SAIC's mission and values.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review SAIC's website, focusing on their mission, values, and the types of projects they undertake in the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian sectors. Understand the implications of working in a government contracting environment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.