Virtualization Engineer

We are seeking a high-level Virtualization Subject Matter Expert to spearhead the strategy, architectural design, and 24/7 maintenance of our regional software-defined data center (SDDC). This pivotal role involves overseeing complex resource forecasting, vetting incoming capacity expansion requests, and executing critical hardware lifecycle initiatives to mitigate operational risks.As a technical leader, you will transition legacy environments toward modern, cloud-native stacks (specifically VMware Cloud Foundation 9) while integrating advanced AI-driven automation and predictive analytics to enhance system reliability and fiscal efficiency.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Architecture & Transition ManagementOrchestrate the seamless shift to modern SDDC frameworks, prioritizing zero-downtime migrations, security alignment, and strict governance.Develop and refine integrated hyper-converged stacks (vSphere, NSX, vSAN) to satisfy demands for ultra-low latency and maximum resilience.Oversee the decommissioning of obsolete physical hardware, replacing it with high-performance production assets to ensure service continuity.Intelligent Automation & AI-OpsDevelop "Infrastructure as Code" (IaC) pipelines using Terraform, Ansible, or PowerCLI to streamline patching and lifecycle management.Innovate with AI-integrated operational models, leveraging LLM-powered "ChatOps" for rapid incident triage and predictive alerting.Program self-correcting playbooks within the environment to resolve performance bottlenecks or capacity events without manual intervention.Monitoring, Capacity, & ReliabilityEstablish sophisticated telemetry dashboards in Aria Operations, utilizing machine learning to identify anomalies before they impact production.Rigorously audit all resource allocation tickets, validating and challenging technical necessity before approving capacity growth.Execute comprehensive disaster recovery protocols, maintaining aggressive recovery time (RTO ≤ 15 min) and point objectives (RPO ≤ 5 sec) for mission-critical apps.Governance & Global SynergyAct as the primary technical liaison for hardware vendors (Dell, HP, Pure Storage) and international engineering squads to maintain unified enterprise standards.Enforce security hardening according to industry benchmarks (CIS) and internal compliance mandates.Deliver executive-level reports detailing SLA success, cost-reduction milestones, and platform stability.Required Qualifications & ExperienceEducation: Technical degree in Information Systems, CS, or a related field.Technical Mastery: 5–7 years of deep, hands-on experience with the VMware vSphere 8+ suite, including NSX-T and vSAN.Migration Expertise: Proven success in moving enterprise-scale workloads from legacy sites to modern VCF 9 or newer cloud-native stacks.Scripting Proficiency: Expert-level skills in PowerCLI, vRealize Automation (vRA), Terraform, and Python.Infrastructure Knowledge: Deep familiarity with enterprise storage arrays (SAN/iSCSI) and complex networking principles, including micro-segmentation and distributed firewalls.Modern Tooling: Practical experience applying AI-ops for predictive forecasting and automated root cause analysis.Communication: Superior ability to translate technical roadmaps for non-technical stakeholders and provide mentorship to junior staff.Professional CertificationsTo validate the high level of expertise required for this role, candidates should possess or be working toward the following:Mandatory / Core Credentials:VCP-CMA (VMware Certified Professional – Cloud Management and Automation): To validate expertise in Aria Operations and automation workflows.VCP-NV (VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization): Essential for managing NSX-T environments and micro-segmentation.Advanced / Leadership Credentials (Highly Preferred):VCAP-CF (VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Cloud Foundation): Required for the design and deployment of integrated VCF stacks.VCAP-DCD / DCV (Design or Deploy): Demonstrating advanced architectural capabilities in data center virtualization.Process & Governance:ITIL 4 Foundation or Managing Professional: To support the "Follow the Sun" (FTS) operational model and standardized change management.HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate: To validate Infrastructure as Code proficiency.