Senior VMWare Virtualization Architect/Engineer

TekSynap; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K

Vacation time

Life insurance

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a Senior VMWare Virtualization Architect/Engineer to design and optimize enterprise-scale virtualization services. This role involves overseeing the creation of robust virtual environments that align with security standards and support critical operations. Responsibilities include architecting VMWare solutions, integrating with enterprise services, and ensuring compliance with security frameworks. A competitive salary and benefits package are offered, including health and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI + CI Poly clearance is required.
• Proven architecture of multi-site, mission-critical environments with HA/DR.
• Must meet the IAT Level III baseline cert plus any environment-specific certifications.

Responsibilities

• Define reference architectures for vSphere platforms.
• Engineer highly available clusters and automate provisioning.
• Manage security and compliance for virtualized environments.

Skills

Active TS/SCI + CI Poly clearance

Expertise in VMWare products (vSphere, vCenter, vSAN, NSX)

Proficient in PowerCLI and Python

Knowledge of cloud services and integration

Familiarity with security compliance frameworks (STIG, SCAP)

Education

BS in relevant field with 12-15 years of experience

MS in relevant field with 10-13 years of experience

PhD with 10+ years of experience

Tools

VMWare vSphere

PowerCLI

Python

Azure

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Senior VMWare Virtualization Architect/Engineer to drive the architecture, design, security, deployment, and lifecycle optimization of enterprise‑scale virtualization services supporting Defense Intelligence Agency’s mission‑critical operations under Solutions for the Information Technology Enterprise III (SITE III). You will lead infrastructure modernization initiatives across multiple enclaves, ensuring highly available, secure, and performant virtualized compute, storage, and networking platforms that integrate seamlessly with zero‑trust principles and hybrid cloud constructs.

TekSynap is a fast‑growing high‑tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well‑planned information management environment. “Technology moving at the speed of thought” embodies these principles – the need to nimbly utilize the best that information technology offers to meet the business needs of our Federal Government customers.

We offer our full‑time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability plans, vacation time and holidays.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

The Senior VMWare Virtualization Architect/Engineer is expected to be able to accomplish the following:

• Define reference architectures and multi‑year roadmaps for vSphere‑based platforms (on‑prem and hybrid), including ESXi clusters, vCenter, vSAN, and NSX‑based network/security services.
• Engineer highly available clusters, resource pools, and workload domains; design standard builds, host profiles, and image management; implement automation for provisioning, patching, and configuration drift remediation.
• Architect and operate NSX (distributed firewall, micro segmentation, overlay/underlay integration, load balancing) to meet DIA security objectives and enclave separation requirements.
• Integrate with enterprise services (INFOBLOX, ICAM services, PKI, DNS, NTP, SIEM) and extend to VMware Cloud/hyperscalers where applicable; leverage HCX/migration tooling to modernize and consolidate workloads.
• Establish SLOs, conduct performance baselining, right‑size clusters, forecast capacity (CPU/Mem/IOPS), and optimize storage/policy placement (vSAN Storage Policies).
• Design multi‑site replication, stretched clusters, and DR plans using SRM/array replication; run failover testing and document RTO/RPO.
• Implement least privilege, certificate management, secure baselines (STIG/SCAP), logging, and continuous compliance reporting; partner with cyber to close POA&Ms; implement Zero Trust & Compliance.
• Build reusable modules and pipelines using PowerCLI, Python, vRealize/Aria tools, and Git to standardize provisioning and day‑2 ops.
• Create SOPs/runbooks; mentor engineers; perform root‑cause analysis; lead change planning and maintenance windows.
• Conduct design reviews, cost‑benefit analyses, and briefings; advise on hardware/software selection and technology insertion for future deployment.
• Perform STIG hardening of VDI gold images.
• Develop FIPS/NIST‑compliant encryption configuration.
• Produce RMF artifact support for VDI environments.
• Provide ATO maintenance support.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI + CI Poly clearance
• BS, 12‑15 years of relevant experience; MS, 10‑13 years; PhD, 10+ years
• Proven expert with Forcepoint Trusted Thin Client (TTC), PowerShell, vSphere/ESXi (virtualization), vCenter, vSAN, NSX (DFW, micro segmentation, overlay networking), Citrix (Virtualization), Avocent (KVM), SRM, lifecycle and image management, and performance tuning at scale.
• Proven architecture of multi‑site, mission‑critical environments with HA/DR and STIG compliant baselines.
• Demonstrates a deep understanding of L2/L3, routing, firewalls, load balancing, segmentation, and integration with enterprise security stacks—consistent with the broader Senior Network Engineer remit.
• Must meet the IAT Level III baseline cert plus any environment‑specific or computing environment (CE) certifications required (CISSP, CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP, etc.):
• CISSP or CASP+
• VMware VCP‑DCV (or equivalent virtualization cert)
• Windows Server certification
• AWS Solutions Architect Associate/Professional certification

Desired Qualifications

• VCAP DCV or VCIX/Design certification is strongly preferred.
• VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP‑DCV)
• Citrix Certified Associate / Professional (CCA‑V / CCP‑V)
• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator
• Azure Administrator
• Windows Server Certification
• RHCSA / LPIC‑1

Additional Job Information

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Location: Reston, VA
• Type of environment: Varies
• Noise level: Low
• Work schedule: "Normal work hours" constitute on average 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week (excluding breaks and meal periods) within standard operational hours occurring 0600‑1800, Monday‑Friday, excluding Federal holidays. May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs.
• Amount of Travel: 20%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to grip, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds; and up to 50 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active TS/SCI + CI Poly clearance

Other Information

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

TekSynap is a drug‑free workplace. We reserve the right to conduct drug testing in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. All employees and candidates may be subject to drug screening if deemed necessary to ensure a safe and compliant working environment.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. TekSynap does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment. TekSynap is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an application, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.