Virtualization Administrator/Engineer

US Citizenship Required. Active Secret clearance at time of interview, with ability to maintain an active clearance.

About the role

The Virtualization Administrator/Engineer supports the Infrastructure Management Team’s enterprise virtualization environment, serving as both a technical expert and team lead. This role ensures the stability, security, performance, and continual improvement of the VMware-based infrastructure while leading and mentoring team members and coordinating day-to-day work.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a team lead for the virtualization operations team, providing technical guidance, mentoring, work prioritization, and coordination with leadership and stakeholders.
• Provide day-to-day support for the Infrastructure Management Team’s virtualization environment in a large enterprise setting.
• Apply VMware patches, updates, hotfixes, and STIGs to vCenters and ESXi hosts, as well as any Windows servers/workstations maintained by the Virtualization Team.
• Identify trends and recurring issues, implement solutions and improved processes, and shift the environment from reactive support to proactive monitoring and prevention.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and QRGs to automate tasks and enable user self-service where appropriate.
• Conduct process reviews and recommend changes to increase efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
• Align technical work with customer strategic goals, offering recommendations that reflect a clear understanding of requirements.
• Maintain proper security posture through continuous monitoring, testing, and evaluation of systems and solutions on the network.
• Support the Change Management process, including planning, documentation, risk assessment, and implementation of approved changes.
• Monitor and manage ticket queues, ensuring incidents and requests are resolved within SLAs and documented.
• Deliver customer service by gathering requirements, troubleshooting issues, and providing timely resolutions.
• Provide input to Disaster Recovery and COOP plans and participate in related exercises.
• Plan and manage server hardware/software upgrades and related infrastructure projects.
• Perform server and rack installations, including cabling, configuration, and documentation.
• Prepare and deliver status reports and briefings to leadership and customers, communicating progress, risks, and issues.
• Write and maintain PowerCLI scripts to automate monitoring, configuration, and management tasks.
• Develop processes and tools to transition capabilities to Network Operations and Tier 2 teams, including monitoring, documentation, and playbooks.
• Implement and refine monitoring solutions and help define response procedures so Level 1 and 2 teams can resolve issues without escalation.
• Research and report on end-user response time, application and system performance, and overall availability.
• Support hardware and software lifecycle processes, including planning, refresh, and retirement.
• Monitor and report on application, system, and infrastructure health and capacity.
• Create automated solutions for data collection and reporting on performance and availability.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or related field; or equivalent combination of education, certifications, and experience.
• 8–12 years of experience as a virtualization administrator/engineer.
• Experience supporting large enterprise virtualization environments.
• Hands-on experience with VMware installation, configuration, and administration.
• Proficiency with PowerCLI scripting.
• Must have baseline certification(s) at interview to meet DoD 8570.01-M IAT Level II (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE).
• Must obtain an additional certification within six months of hire (e.g., VMware Certified Technical Associate (VCTA)).
• Must comply with updated DoD 8140 requirements when implemented.

Skills

• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and process-improvement skills.
• Dependability, accountability, and responsiveness to direction and feedback.
• Demonstrated customer service experience, including engagement with senior military and government leadership.
• Ability to present technical information to audiences with varying skill levels.
• Ability to conduct training for users and team members.
• Skill in engaging stakeholders to track progress, manage expectations, and meet timelines.
• Experience with hardware and software lifecycle processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and documentation practices.
• Strong organizational, collaborative, and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to quickly assimilate new information and self-study new technologies.
• Maintain current industry knowledge of relevant concepts and practices.
• Ability to work under time constraints and manage multiple priorities.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements and new projects.

Schedule

• Primary work location: Falls Church, Virginia.
• Three days onsite and up to two days telework; onboarding period may require up to 60 days onsite.
• Work hours and days determined upon hire; subject to change based on mission requirements.
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40.
• Up to 10% travel, including conferences (up to two annually) and site visits as needed.

Pay

The likely salary range for this position is $123,250 - $166,750.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts.
• 401(k) plan with company match (pre and post-tax contributions up to IRS annual limits).
• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal time, holidays, parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave.
• Short and long-term disability benefits, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel and accident insurance.
• Flexible work weeks where possible.
• AI-powered career tool for identifying career steps and learning opportunities.
• Internal mobility team focused on career growth.