Sr. VMWare Platform Engineer / Virtualization Engineer

STEM Solutions • Washington, DC

8d

About The Position

Sr. VMWare Platform Engineer / Virtualization Engineer Overview: The VMware Platform Engineer is responsible for the installation, configuration, operating and hardening enterprise virtualization and hyper-converged infrastructure environments. This role supports mission-critical workloads by managing VMware platforms, storage systems, and integrated networking components, while ensuring compliance with security standards and operational best practices. The engineer works closely with application, security, and network teams to maintain platform stability and support ongoing modernization and automation efforts. Key Responsibilities: VMware Platform Management Install, configure, and support VMware vSphere (8.x) environments, including ESXi hosts and vCenter. Administer and maintain NSX-T and/or NSX-V for virtual networking and security services. Manage vSAN clusters, including performance monitoring, fault domain configuration, and lifecycle management. Perform upgrades, patches, and break/fix troubleshooting across the VMware stack. Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Operate and support hyper-converged platforms, with preference for DellEMC VxRail and PowerFlex clusters. Conduct capacity planning, health monitoring, and performance analysis. Execute firmware, BIOS, and component upgrades in coordination with change management processes. Troubleshoot hardware and software issues impacting cluster availability or performance. Storage Operations Administer block and file storage solutions (Dell/EMC preferred). Perform LUN provisioning, masking, zoning coordination, and file system administration. Support backup, replication, and data protection activities in alignment with enterprise standards. Monitor storage utilization and performance trends to support future growth planning. Network Integration Configure and maintain top-of-rack (ToR) switches supporting virtualization and storage traffic. Manage VLANs, trunking, and IP routing required for virtualized environments. Collaborate with network teams to ensure proper integration of virtual and physical networking components. Troubleshoot connectivity, latency, and throughput issues affecting platform services. Automation and Scripting Develop and maintain infrastructure automation using Ansible (preferred). Automate provisioning, patching, configuration drift remediation, and compliance checks. Support infrastructure-as-code and repeatable deployment patterns where applicable. Improve operational efficiency through scripting and workflow optimization. Security and Hardening Apply DISA STIGs and vendor-specific hardening guides to hardware and software components. Support vulnerability scanning, remediation, and audit activities. Ensure platforms meet security, compliance, and accreditation requirements. Coordinate with cybersecurity teams on risk mitigation and incident response. Documentation and Collaboration Produce and maintain run books, standard operating procedures, and knowledge base articles. Create and update change control records and technical documentation. Partner with application, security, and network teams to resolve incidents and deliver infrastructure projects. Provide technical input for platform design, upgrades, and lifecycle planning.

Requirements

• Strong hands-on experience administering VMware vSphere environments in production.
• Experience with NSX-T and/or NSX-V virtual networking.
• Practical knowledge of hyper-converged infrastructure operations.
• Experience managing enterprise storage platforms and supporting virtualized workloads.
• Working knowledge of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking concepts in data center environments.
• Experience applying security hardening standards and supporting vulnerability remediation.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues across compute, storage, and network domains.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with DellEMC VxRail and/or PowerFlex.
• Experience using Ansible for infrastructure automation.
• Familiarity with DISA STIG implementation in regulated environments.
• Experience supporting environments with formal change management and compliance requirements.
• Relevant certifications (VMware, DellEMC, or infrastructure/security related).

Responsibilities

• VMware Platform Management Install, configure, and support VMware vSphere (8.x) environments, including ESXi hosts and vCenter.
• Administer and maintain NSX-T and/or NSX-V for virtual networking and security services.
• Manage vSAN clusters, including performance monitoring, fault domain configuration, and lifecycle management.
• Perform upgrades, patches, and break/fix troubleshooting across the VMware stack.
• Operate and support hyper-converged platforms, with preference for DellEMC VxRail and PowerFlex clusters.
• Conduct capacity planning, health monitoring, and performance analysis.
• Execute firmware, BIOS, and component upgrades in coordination with change management processes.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues impacting cluster availability or performance.
• Administer block and file storage solutions (Dell/EMC preferred).
• Perform LUN provisioning, masking, zoning coordination, and file system administration.
• Support backup, replication, and data protection activities in alignment with enterprise standards.
• Monitor storage utilization and performance trends to support future growth planning.
• Configure and maintain top-of-rack (ToR) switches supporting virtualization and storage traffic.
• Manage VLANs, trunking, and IP routing required for virtualized environments.
• Collaborate with network teams to ensure proper integration of virtual and physical networking components.
• Troubleshoot connectivity, latency, and throughput issues affecting platform services.
• Develop and maintain infrastructure automation using Ansible (preferred).
• Automate provisioning, patching, configuration drift remediation, and compliance checks.
• Support infrastructure-as-code and repeatable deployment patterns where applicable.
• Improve operational efficiency through scripting and workflow optimization.
• Apply DISA STIGs and vendor-specific hardening guides to hardware and software components.
• Support vulnerability scanning, remediation, and audit activities.
• Ensure platforms meet security, compliance, and accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity teams on risk mitigation and incident response.
• Produce and maintain run books, standard operating procedures, and knowledge base articles.
• Create and update change control records and technical documentation.
• Partner with application, security, and network teams to resolve incidents and deliver infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical input for platform design, upgrades, and lifecycle planning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed