Server Virtualization Platform Operations Engineer

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 64,500 - 151,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-sponsored 401(k)

Comprehensive medical benefits

Vacation benefits

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a VMware ESX Platform Operations Engineer in Indianapolis to help revolutionize Infrastructure Operations through AI and Automation. The role focuses on supporting and managing enterprise VMware ESX-based IaaS capabilities while leveraging modern AI automation tools.

The ideal candidate will have strong VMware skills, experience in multiple data center operations, and a focus on ensuring system stability and high availability for critical workloads.

Full-time employees are offered competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience as a VMware ESX / Platform Engineer.
• Experience with AI-enabled automation tools.
• Technical expertise in enterprise-grade infrastructure solutions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain system stability and automate operational tasks.
• Support multi-datacenter operations and implement solutions.
• Mentor and direct global operations SMEs.

Skills

VMware administration

Automated infrastructure availability

Analytical and problem-solving

Network concepts (VLANs, trunking)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related

Tools

VMware vSphere

Python

Azure VMware Service

Job description

Join us in revolutionizing Infrastructure Operations with AI and Automation!

The Cloud and Connectivity organization is actively looking for a VMware ESX Platform Operations Engineer to join them. If you like to solve challenges and have an interest in large‑scale impact, and want to impact global public and private cloud infrastructure operations through AI and Automation, including applying modern AI‑powered coding and automation tools to accelerate engineering workflows, this position is for you.

What You’ll Be Doing

We are seeking multiple Server Virtualization Platform Operations Engineers with experience supporting and managing enterprise VMware ESX‑based Infrastructure‑as‑a‑Service (IaaS) capabilities, both on‑premises and in Microsoft Azure. The ideal candidate will maintain system stability, automate operational tasks, and ensure high availability for critical workloads, leveraging modern AI automation tools (Claude Code, Codex, or similar) to improve efficiency and streamline engineering workflows.

If you have a solid background in VMware administration, server virtualization, and thrive in multifaceted enterprise environments, this position provides a chance to advance your career. You'll maintain critical infrastructure components, support multi‑datacenter operations, and implement solutions that improve availability and reliability across Lilly Manufacturing and research sites. The role will mentor and direct global operations SMEs and other platform infrastructure operations SMEs, delivering daily operations associated with this area.

How You’ll Succeed

• Be Bold – Drive Infrastructure Operations to prevent repeated problems through AI OPS, event‑driven automation, and robust observability.
• Be Fast – Accelerate initiatives such as Infrastructure AI OPS automation, cloud IaaS management, and cloud infrastructure as code to enable critical business projects.
• Be Proactive – Transform operations processes using proactive, predictive, and automated AI & observability capabilities.
• Be Your Best – Bring high learning agility and engineering skills to enable the technology strategy, identify tech opportunities, and accelerate the AI OPS journey.

What You Should Bring

• Technical expertise and leadership to turn ideas and concepts into solutions.
• Linux, Windows, VMware vSphere, Dell‑SAN storage or Cloud certifications are a bonus, or we are willing to help you develop.
• Technical leadership supporting enterprise‑grade infrastructure solutions and deploying at multiple global locations.
• Strong hands‑on experience with automated infrastructure availability and resiliency (VMware/vSphere/Storage replication) at enterprise scale, with virtualized Windows or Linux OS platforms.
• Experience leveraging AI‑driven automation tools (Claude Code, Codex, or similar) to streamline engineering workflows, improve efficiency, or support operations.
• Knowledge and experience with modern VMware ESX, Azure VMware Service, IaaS cloud services (EC2, Azure Compute), or languages/tools such as Python, JSON, YAML, ARM, Git is a bonus.
• Ability to optimize, configure, and maintain private cloud infrastructure capabilities to build, configure, and maintain systems.
• Consistent track record of high‑quality, agile‑focused, team‑based solution delivery.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills, working across global and diverse teams.
• Deep understanding of networking concepts such as VLANs and trunking.
• Prior experience configuring and leading VMware networking components, including Distributed Switches (vDS), to ensure efficient and secure network communication.
• Experience with Zerto and VMware HCX technologies is a plus.
• Experience leading operations of a global large‑scale ESX infrastructure service.

Additional Information

• On‑site role located in Indianapolis, IN (relocation required).
• Expected shift hours: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm US Eastern Standard Time (EST) / 12:30 – 9:30 pm US Eastern Daylight‑Saving Time (EDT).
• Shift rotations: Monday to Friday / Thursday to Monday.
• Less than 5% travel.

Your Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related technical field.
• 4+ years of experience as a VMware ESX / Platform Engineer.
• Demonstrated experience or exposure to AI‑enabled automation tools (Claude Code, Codex, or similar), with the ability to apply them in engineering or operational contexts.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.

Compensation and Benefits

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Anticipated wage range: $64,500 – $151,800.

Full‑time employees are eligible for a company bonus (based on company and individual performance) and a comprehensive benefit program, including a company‑sponsored 401(k) (pension), vacation benefits, medical, dental, vision, prescription drug benefits, flexible benefits (e.g., health‑care or dependent day‑care flexible spending accounts), life and death insurance, various time‑off and leave of absence benefits, and well‑being benefits (employee assistance program, fitness benefits, employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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