Desktop Architect

ZipRecruiter; London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a skilled Desktop Architect in London to lead the design and management of enterprise desktop solutions. The role involves hands-on technical responsibilities, focusing on Azure Virtual Desktop and Citrix, and requires strong collaboration across teams. Ideal candidates will possess significant experience in enterprise environments and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in enterprise environments as a Desktop Architect.
• Strong expertise in Azure, Citrix, and Windows management.
• Hands-on experience with automation through PowerShell.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and support of enterprise desktop solutions.
• Oversee deployment of Azure Virtual Desktop and Citrix solutions.
• Collaborate with security teams for compliance.

Skills

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Windows 11/10 deployment

Citrix VDI

PowerShell scripting

Troubleshooting

Stakeholder management

Education

Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect certification

Citrix Certified Expert certification

Job description

Job Description

Desktop Architect

We are seeking an experienced Desktop Architect in central London to lead the design, implementation, and management of enterprise-level desktop solutions.

This role involves overseeing all aspects of desktop architecture, from proof-of-concept and high-level design to hands-on production engineering. The ideal candidate will have expertise in Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Citrix, Windows 11/10 deployment, and automation through PowerShell.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design, implementation, and support of major desktop solutions, including proof-of-concept development and high-/low-level design documentation (HLD/LLD).
• Deliver and maintain a production Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) solution, leveraging Windows 365 and Citrix for power users.
• Act as the technical authority for on-premises Citrix VDI, including migration to Citrix Cloud.
• Design and implement a Windows 11 hybrid-joined build, utilizing Intune as the primary management system.
• Serve as the final escalation point for the desktop engineering team.
• Collaborate with Information Security teams to ensure compliance with security standards
• Develop and deploy Azure AD-joined, Intune-managed, Autopilot Windows 10 desktop builds.
• Automate complex desktop provisioning and management processes using PowerShell, including:
• Virtual desktop provisioning and cluster placement.
• Detection and removal of unused virtual desktops.
• CPU right-sizing based on VMware usage statistics.
• Azure VDI deployment workflows.

• Serve as the final escalation point for the desktop engineering team.

• Collaborate with Information Security teams to ensure compliance with security standards.

Key Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience as a Desktop Architect or similar role in enterprise environments.
• Strong expertise in Windows 365, Citrix VDI, and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) solutions.
• Proficiency in Windows 11/10 deployment, hybrid joins, and Intune-based management.
• Hands-on experience with PowerShell scripting for automation and process optimization.
• Experience in high-level and low-level solution design documentation (HLD/LLD).
• Knowledge of Azure AD, Autopilot, and VMware.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to handle escalations effectively. Qualifications
• Microsoft and Citrix certifications (e.g., Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect, Citrix Certified Expert) are a plus.
• Experience with security and compliance in desktop infrastructure.

Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills