Virtualization / Automation Engineer (Senior)

The Senior Virtualization / Automation Engineer will lead the design, operation, security, automation, and modernization of enterprise virtualization and Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) platforms supporting mission-critical government systems. This role provides senior-level technical ownership across production, development, testing, continuity of operations, disaster recovery, and hybrid-hosting environments. The successful candidate will engineer and optimize VMware infrastructure while advancing Infrastructure as Code practices to improve reliability, consistency, and operational efficiency. Working closely with networking, cybersecurity, and workload teams, the engineer will troubleshoot complex platform issues, strengthen security controls, and maintain high availability. The position also supports migration initiatives to centralized government hosting environments, from discovery and planning through implementation and stabilization. This is an opportunity for an experienced infrastructure professional to influence platform architecture, drive modernization, and support secure, resilient technology services in a federal environment.

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience where permitted by the applicable labor category.

• At least eight years of relevant experience in virtualization, systems engineering, data-center infrastructure, platform engineering, or infrastructure automation.

• Hands-on experience with VMware vSphere, ESXi, and vCenter, along with vSAN, NSX, SRM, or comparable software-defined storage, network virtualization, and disaster-recovery technologies.

• Demonstrated experience developing or maintaining infrastructure automation and troubleshooting complex issues across compute, storage, networking, virtualization, and automation environments.

• Strong understanding of high availability, disaster recovery, backup and restoration, capacity management, and infrastructure lifecycle practices.

• Active Secret security clearance or higher is required.

• Strong analytical, technical problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across technical teams and manage complex operational challenges.

• Experience with formal Terraform and Ansible training is preferred.

• Familiarity with VMware Cloud Foundation, VMware Aria, PowerCLI, PowerShell, Python, or REST APIs is advantageous.

• Experience supporting federal or Department of Defense virtualization environments and migrations to DISA enterprise-hosting platforms is preferred.

• Knowledge of DISA STIGs, RMF controls, vulnerability remediation, and configuration compliance is beneficial.

• Experience implementing Infrastructure as Code through CI/CD pipelines and Git workflows, including automated testing and code scanning, is preferred.

• Relevant certifications are advantageous, including VMware Certified Professional, VMware Certified Advanced Professional, HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate, Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation, ITIL 4 Foundation, or relevant cloud, security, storage, and networking certifications. No specific certification is required.

• Ability to support occasional on-site activities, after-hours maintenance, disaster-recovery exercises, incident response, and travel as required.

• Candidates based in the Chicago, Illinois, area are preferred, although the position is remote.

• Applicants should be aware that applying includes acknowledging and consenting to the inclusion of their resume in an active competitive government contract bid.