VMware Lead Solution Architect

Gigs Remote connects trusted companies with top tech contractors from Central and Eastern Europe, bringing them together to work on IT projects of varying complexity and duration. Our aim is to create an ongoing opportunity for gig talent allowing them to work from any location and set their own work-life balance focusing on projects they feel passionate about.For one of our clients, we are looking for a VMware Lead Solution Architect.Please not that EU residence is mandatory for this role. Role outcome: Select and recommend a vendor-neutral future datacenter technology stack, target architecture and operating model that meet Client's business, technical, operational, resilience and lifecycle requirements.Role mission: Own the technical assessment and architecturerecommendation for Client's future datacenter stack.Accountability: Responsible for requirements consolidation, technology assessment, target architecture and technicalrecommendation.Key interfaces: KTN infrastructure, network, security and operations teams; PMO; Vendor Management Office (VMO); technology vendors and service providers.Working style: Independent, evidence-based, vendor-neutral and able to bridge executive stakeholders with technical specialists.Geographic context: Recommendations must support regional datacenter operations across EMEA, AMER and APAC.Expected seniority: Senior/lead architect with demonstrated ownership of complex datacenter, cloud and infrastructure transformation assessments. Core responsibilitiesAssess the current datacenter environment, infrastructure landscape and technology dependencies.Consolidate business, operational, security, resilience and technical requirements into vendor-neutral architectureprinciples.Define target architecture across compute, virtualization, storage, networking, platform services, backup, disaster recovery, automation and management, with consideration for AI-related requirements.Identify and assess relevant solutions and technology stacks from major vendors and platform providers.Develop alternative architecture scenarios and evaluate benefits, risks, complexity, feasibility and strategic fit.Create an objective comparison matrix and decision framework for transparent stack selection.Assess hardware reuse, lifecycle constraints and compatibility of existing infrastructure.Evaluate internal, hybrid and externally managed operating models and their architectural implications.Define a high-level migration approach and roadmap, including key risks, for shortlisted architectures.Provide technical assumptions and validation inputs for licensing, support, lifecycle, sizing, operational effort, migrationeffort, BOM and TCO work led by Client's VMO.Produce recommendations that support business continuity, long-term lifecycle management and regional operations.Mandatory requirementsProfessional experience: Extensive experience in infrastructure, datacenter and cloud architecture, including leadership of complex transformation or stack-selection assignments.CV evidence plus interview examplesDatacenter architecture: Strong end-to-end knowledge of compute, storage, networking, virtualization, backup, disaster recovery, monitoring, automation and management platforms.Architecture examples and technical interviewCloud and hybrid: Hands-on architectural knowledge spanning on-premise, CV/projects and scenario platforms hybrid cloud and public-cloud environments; ability to assess placement and integration trade-offs. DiscussionMicrosoft Azure: Strong Azure architecture experience, including landing zones, networking, compute, storage, security, policy,monitoring and cost/FinOps considerations. CV/certifications andinterviewVirtualization and EUC: Strong knowledge of enterprise virtualization and VDI environments, with experience assessing migration, separation or modernization options. CV/projects andinterviewArchitecture assessment: Ability to translate requirements into principles, options, target architectures, decision criteria and a defensible recommendation. Work-sample or interview caseMigration planning: Experience defining high-level migration roadmaps, dependencies, sequencing, risks and effort assumptions. Project evidenceLifecycle and operations: Ability to evaluate support models, lifecycle horizons, operational effort, hardware refresh, resilience and service management implications. Interview evidenceVendor neutrality: Demonstrated ability to compare vendors and architectures objectively, including feasibility, lock-in, compatibility and strategic fit. Decision-matrix exampleStakeholder leadership: Ability to advise CIO/Director-level stakeholders and facilitate workshops with infrastructure, network, security, operations and vendor teams. Interview and reference Documentation: Strong written communication and ownership of executive recommendations, architecture reports and decision packs in English. Sample deliverables/interview Commercial input literacy: Ability to provide technical assumptions for BOM/TCO validation without owning financial modelling or commercial negotiations. Interview scenario3.2 Preferred / differentiating requirements10+ years of relevant infrastructure, systems management, cloud or enterprise architecture experience.Experience with large-scale datacenter or cloud migrations involving hundreds of servers or multiple business units/regions.Experience with Op-premise migrations, FinOps and DevSecOps processes.Knowledge of VMware/Hyper-V, enterprise backup platforms, VDI/Citrix, databases, Windows/Linux and datacenterfacilities dependencies.Experience with vendor orchestration, managed services, incident/change management and operational governance.Experience in manufacturing, logistics or other distributed, business-critical operating environments.Experience assessing AI infrastructure readiness or AI-related datacenter requirements. Required deliverablesArchitecture: Current-state assessment; requirements and architecture principles; target architecture; technology optionassessment; feasibility and risk analysis; architecture decision matrix; recommended technology stack; high-level migrationroadmap.Technical inputs for VMO: Licensing and BOM assumptions; support and lifecycle assumptions; operational and migration effort estimates; sizing and cost-driver assumptions; refresh assumptions; compatibility constraints; high-level operating model cost categories.Executive outputs: Executive management recommendation; technology selection report; contribution to the Client-ledTCO evaluation.If you are interested, apply here or register on our website and our Talent Advisor will get in touch with you to discuss further process. Please note that only candidates based in the EU will be considered for this role.