Principal Information Technology Infrastructure Engineer

Meso Scale Diagnostics LLC; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 132,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

Meso Scale Diagnostics LLC is hiring a Principal IT Infrastructure Engineer to lead the architecture and hands-on engineering of MSD's core compute, virtualization, containerization, and identity infrastructure. The role drives architectural direction, handles escalations, and ensures auditable, GxP-aligned deployments.

You will mentor engineers, design hybrid on-prem and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP), and develop automation to streamline provisioning and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• A minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience engineering and administering enterprise virtualization and/or containerization platforms.
• Demonstrated expert-level experience with VMware vSphere/ESXi/vCenter in a production environment.
• Experience with Nutanix (AOS/AHV/Prism) or comparable HCI platforms, or direct experience leading a VMware-to-Nutanix migration.
• Hands-on experience with containerization and orchestration platforms (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS ECS).
• Experience architecting and supporting hybrid on-premises/cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Relevant certifications (VCP/VCAP/NCP/NCA, AWS/Azure/GCP) are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture, design, and hands-on engineering of the enterprise virtualization platform across compute, storage, and networking.
• Lead VMware-to-Nutanix migration planning, execution, and validation.
• Design, build, and support containerization platforms (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS ECS) and integrate with virtualization and cloud infra.
• Partner with storage teams to implement storage integration for virtualized workloads (Pure Storage or similar).
• Deploy and support Windows and Linux servers on virtualized, containerized, and physical infra.
• Develop and maintain architecture documentation, SOPs, capacity plans, and runbooks.
• Develop automation and infrastructure-as-code (PowerCLI, Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• Collaborate with network, security, storage, and app teams for secure, resilient solutions including backup/DR and PKI management.
• Lead evaluations and proofs-of-concept for virtualization, containerization, HCI, and cloud platforms.

Skills

VMware expertise

Leadership & mentoring

Architecture documentation

Problem solving

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS or related field

Tools

VMware vSphere/ESXi/vCenter

Nutanix AHV/Prism

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS ECS

Pure Storage

Terraform

Ansible

PowerCLI

Python

Bash

Active Directory

PKI/TLS

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Principal IT Infrastructure Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for MSD's core compute and identity infrastructure, spanning virtualization, containerization, identity and access management, directory services, and cloud productivity platforms. This role sets architectural direction, resolves the most complex escalations, and ensures infrastructure is designed, deployed, and maintained in a controlled, auditable manner consistent with GxP and 21 CFR Part 11 expectations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the architecture, design, and hands‑on engineering of the enterprise virtualization platform, including compute, storage, and networking components, across VMware vSphere/ESXi and Nutanix AOS/AHV (Prism Central/Prism Element).
• Lead the technical strategy and execution of the VMware-to-Nutanix migration, including workload assessment, dependency mapping, target architecture, migration planning, VM conversion, and post‑migration validation.
• Design, build, and support enterprise containerization and orchestration platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, AWS ECS), including cluster architecture, image and registry standards, and integration with the underlying virtualization and cloud infrastructure.
• Partner with storage teams to design, implement, and maintain storage integration for virtualized and containerized workloads (e.g., Pure Storage, or comparable SAN/NAS platforms).
• Deploy, configure, and support Windows and Linux server operating systems on virtualized, containerized, and physical infrastructure.
• Design and support identity and access services underpinning the platform, including Active Directory, ADFS, and IDAM/SSO integrations for infrastructure and applications.
• Develop and maintain architecture documentation, standard operating procedures, capacity plans, and runbooks for the virtualization and containerization environments.
• Develop automation and infrastructure‑as‑code (e.g., PowerCLI, Python, Ansible, Terraform) to streamline provisioning, configuration, and operational tasks across virtual and containerized environments.
• Partner with network, security, storage, and application teams to design resilient, secure solutions, including backup, disaster recovery, and certificate/PKI management for applications.
• Lead technology evaluations, proof‑of‑concepts, and vendor discussions related to virtualization, containerization, HCI, and cloud platforms, and make recommendations to IT leadership.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex, multi‑layered issues spanning hypervisor, container, storage, network, and guest OS.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to other systems and infrastructure engineers, raising the bar for the team's virtualization and containerization expertise.
• Collaborate with IT leadership and other departments on infrastructure strategy and projects, and any other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• A minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience engineering and administering enterprise virtualization and/or containerization platforms, with demonstrated experience operating at a senior or principal technical level.
• Demonstrated expert‑level experience with VMware vSphere/ESXi/vCenter in a production environment.
• Experience with Nutanix (AOS/AHV/Prism) or comparable HCI platforms, or direct experience leading a VMware-to‑Nutanix (or similar hyperconverged) migration, strongly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with containerization and orchestration platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, AWS ECS) in a production environment.
• Experience architecting and supporting hybrid on‑premises/cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Relevant certifications a plus, not required (e.g., VCP/VCAP, Nutanix NCP/NCA, CKA, AWS/Azure/GCP certifications).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Expert‑level knowledge of VMware virtualization technologies (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter, vSAN, NSX a plus) and the underlying compute, storage, and networking concepts that support them.
• Expert‑level or strong working knowledge of Nutanix (AOS, AHV, Prism), including cluster administration, storage (AHV/ADSF), and migration tooling - or comparable HCI experience with demonstrated ability to build deep Nutanix expertise.
• Good working understanding of containerization and orchestration technologies, such as Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS ECS, and how they interact with a virtualization platform.
• Experience designing and supporting hybrid infrastructure spanning on‑premises data centers and AWS.
• Experience with enterprise storage platforms; hands‑on experience with Pure Storage a plus, along with general SAN/NAS familiarity.
• Solid knowledge of Windows and Linux server operating systems, including the ability to deploy, configure, and support them on both virtualized and physical platforms.
• Working knowledge of identity and directory services, including Active Directory, ADFS, IDAM/SSO, DNS, and DHCP.
• Knowledge of certificate‑based authentication and encryption, including issuing, deploying, and managing certificates (PKI/TLS) for applications and infrastructure.
• Knowledge of backup technologies and procedures, including backup and recovery design, testing, and retention practices for virtualized and containerized workloads.
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals (VLANs, routing, load balancing, firewalls) as they relate to virtualized and hybrid environments.
• Scripting and automation experience (e.g., PowerCLI, Python, Bash, Ansible, Terraform) to support provisioning and operational efficiency.
• Understanding of backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity practices for virtualized environments.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills across compute, storage, network, and hypervisor layers.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, mentor other engineers, and communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document architecture and procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to sit and stand for long periods, and is occasionally required to walk, use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. May occasionally need to lift and/or move equipment up to 25 pounds in a data center environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is an onsite position based in a traditional office and data center environment, with some remote work flexibility. May require occasional off‑hours or on‑call support for planned maintenance, migrations, or incident response.

COMPENSATION SUMMARY

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $131,600 to $205,625. This salary range represents a general guideline as MSD considers other factors when presenting an offer of employment, such as scope and responsibilities of the position, external market factors, and the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, education and experience. Employees may qualify for a discretionary or non‑discretionary bonus in addition to their base salary. These annual bonuses are intended to recognize individual performance and enable employees to benefit from the Company's overall success.

BENEFITS SUMMARY

At MSD, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well‑being and financial security. In addition to competitive salaries, our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with prescription benefits. We provide a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible spending accounts, and company‑paid short- and long-term disability insurance as well as group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Our offerings also encompass paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and paid parental leave, along with an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary perks include a fitness club membership contribution, pet insurance, identity theft protection, home and auto insurance discounts, and optional supplemental life insurance.

EEO/AA STATEMENT

MSD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, age, protected veteran status, pregnancy, disability status, or any other protected characteristic. For our full EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit here. Meso Scale Diagnostics uses E-Verifyto validate the work eligibility of candidates.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.