Principal Desktop Engineer
Role Summary
The Principal Desktop Engineer is a hands-on engineering leader responsible for both leading and actively contributing to the design, build, and operation of enterprise endpoint platforms. This role combines people leadership with deep technical execution, requiring direct involvement in scripting, automation, endpoint configuration, and incident resolution.
Responsibilities
Set the Desktop Engineering Strategy: Define and own the enterprise roadmap for end‑user computing, including OS modernization, cloud‑first endpoint management, automation, and adoption of emerging technologies aligned to business priorities.
Provide Technical Architecture Leadership: Lead the design and standards for Windows, macOS, VDI, and endpoint management platforms, ensuring consistent configuration, patching, security, and compliance across the fleet.
Drive Modernization & Automation: Champion initiatives such as Windows 11 upgrades, Intune and Autopilot adoption, zero‑touch provisioning, and self‑service or self‑healing solutions to improve efficiency and user experience.
Serve as Senior Technical Escalation: Act as the highest‑level escalation point for complex or high‑impact endpoint issues, guiding root‑cause analysis and long‑term remediation to maintain service reliability.
Lead and Develop the Team: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of ~20–25 engineers and technicians, setting clear priorities, fostering technical excellence, and building a high‑performance, inclusive culture.
Deliver Major Programs and Projects: Oversee large‑scale desktop initiatives such as OS migrations, hardware refreshes, enterprise software deployments, and new platform rollouts, coordinating across Security, Networking, Cloud, and Service Desk teams.
Partner with Stakeholders: Act as the primary subject‑matter expert for desktop services, collaborating with IT and business leaders to align solutions with user needs, security requirements, and operational goals.
Ensure Operational Excellence: Establish KPIs, standard operating procedures, and runbooks; monitor service health, compliance, and incident trends; and manage vendor relationships, budgets, and endpoint asset lifecycles.
Testing, Validation & Quality Assurance: Own the end‑user computing testing strategy, defining standards for pre‑production, pilot, and production validation across OS, hardware, applications, security, and endpoint changes. Lead UAT and business pilots, validate performance, stability, and security, and ensure regression testing for major releases. Drive defect management and remediation with engineering teams and vendors to maintain a high‑quality, low‑risk desktop environment.
Qualifications
Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience, with 10+ years in IT engineering and 5+ years in enterprise desktop or end‑user computing roles, including leadership responsibilities.
Desktop Platform Expertise: Deep, hands‑on knowledge of Windows and macOS in large enterprise environments, including OS deployment, imaging, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management.
Endpoint Management Mastery: Expert‑level experience with Microsoft SCCM/MECM and Microsoft Intune, including software distribution, patching, compliance, and co‑management models.
VDI & Remote Computing: Strong understanding of virtual desktop technologies (e.g., Citrix, VMware Horizon, Azure Virtual Desktop) and their integration with endpoint environments.
Automation & Scripting: Proven ability to automate endpoint operations using PowerShell, Python, or similar scripting, including support for zero touch‑touch provisioning and configuration management.
Security & Networking Acumen: Solid understanding of endpoint security best practices (encryption, EDR, identity, hardening) and desktop‑relevant networking concepts (LAN/Wi‑Fi, VPN, DNS/DHCP).
Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated experience leading enterprise testing strategies, pilot programs, and vendor technical evaluations, including POCs and data‑driven recommendations for platform and tooling decisions.
Large‑Scale Environment Experience: Leadership experience supporting thousands of endpoints across multiple locations and hybrid work models.
Modern Endpoint Initiatives: Direct experience with Windows 365 Cloud PC, Autopilot, Intune‑first strategies, or major OS migrations (e.g., Windows 10 to 11).
Innovation Mindset: A track record of improving end‑user experience through automation, analytics, or modern support models.
Preferred
Regulated Industry Background: Experience in financial services or similarly regulated environments with strong compliance and availability requirements.
Vendor & Financial Management: Experience managing OEMs, software vendors, and service providers, including budgeting, licensing optimization, and contract oversight.
Benefits
We value your goals and needs, at work and in life. As an associate, you’ll be supported with resources, benefits, and work-life balance so you can thrive in ways that matter to you. Featured Employee Benefits To Enrich Your Life Competitive compensation Annual bonus eligibility A generous retirement plan Hybrid work schedule Health and wellness benefits, including online therapy Paid time off for vacation, illness, medical appointments, and volunteering days Family care resources, including fertility and adoption benefits Learn More About Our Benefits.