Senior VMware Systems Engineer

Leading writer of Property & Casualty Reinsurance seeking an Senior VMware Systems Engineer in their NY office as a senior member their global Datacenter Services team. I have been supporting this client for 20 years, and I can sincerely say they have the best, most employee centric, corporate culture of any client I’ve worked with. Their global team shares a passion for solving their customers’ problems through a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture that empowers employees and rewards creative thinking.

This is an in office position located in midtown Manhattan very close to all major transportation hubs.

Position Summary:

The Senior Systems Engineer is primarily responsible for managing and supporting systems and services hosted on VMware platforms. As a senior technical member of the Datacenter Services team, this role also provides expert-level support to the network, Microsoft, and Linux services teams in their daily operations and administration tasks.

In addition to VMware infrastructure, the engineer will be involved in managing data protection systems, including backup and restore operations, SAN infrastructure, and fabric switch environments. The role also extends to supporting shared services, Microsoft and Linux-based systems and applications.

This position plays a key role in cross-functional collaboration, offering technical support to various internal teams such as Development, ServiceDesk, Operations, and other IT Infrastructure groups. Responsibilities also include facilities support for datacenter and office environments, addressing power, space, and cooling requirements.

The Senior Systems Engineer leads the design and implementation of emerging technologies, complex systems projects, and custom infrastructure solutions. This includes planning and executing datacenter and regional office relocations, upgrades, and infrastructure transformations, with a focus on design, logistics, and project management.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Serve as the final escalation point for complex issues related to VMware, SAN, backup and replication systems, and fabric switch infrastructure.
• Act as a senior technical leader within the Datacenter Services team, providing strategic input and hands-on expertise.
• Collaborate with the Security team to implement secure monitoring solutions and ensure VMware environments adhere to corporate security standards.
• Support the evaluation, deployment, and investigation of emerging security technologies and solutions.
• Partner with global Infrastructure and ServiceDesk teams to develop and implement automation solutions that enhance operational efficiency.
• Lead project management and execution for datacenter and regional office relocations, upgrades, and infrastructure changes.
• Contribute to cross-functional design and implementation initiatives across various IT domains.
• Mentor junior engineers, promoting knowledge sharing and adherence to best practices.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for system architecture, configurations, and operational procedures.
• Ensure systems remain compliant with industry standards, internal policies, and regulatory requirements throughout their lifecycle.
• Design and implement scalable, resilient system architectures aligned with business objectives.
• Continuously analyze and optimize system performance, scalability, and reliability

Job specifications:

• Own the global VMware infrastructure, including its implementation, administration, and ongoing maintenance.
• Provide support to the network team in managing LAN and WAN environments.
• Coordinate with third-party vendors to resolve hardware and software issues efficiently.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with IT stakeholders across all business units.
• Create and manage end-user FAQs and technical communications; deliver training and knowledge-sharing sessions for both technical and business staff.
• Share responsibility for datacenter change management processes, including infrastructure approvals and monthly reporting.
• Contribute to systems engineering efforts supporting product development, architectural planning, and operational support for both new and existing technologies.
• Manage and support VMware environments across test, development, disaster recovery, and production landscapes.
• Provide architectural guidance and strategic direction for the company’s VMware roadmap.
• Ensure service-level agreements are consistently met or exceeded for production systems and incident resolution.
• Adhere to and enforce compliance with all relevant technology standards, procedures, and operational processes.

Required Knowledge and Skills :

• Deep expertise in the full VMware product suite, with extensive hands-on experience in enterprise environments
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft technologies, including server and infrastructure platforms
• Strong understanding of storage protocols and technologies, including Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and NFS
• In-depth knowledge of SAN infrastructure, with practical experience in Dell PowerStore and NetApp systems
• Solid background in Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, including DHCP, DNS, VPN, and NAT configurations
• Proven experience with Rubrik backup and recovery solutions
• Comprehensive understanding of hardware stack dependencies, including power, cooling, and network services across all facilities
• Exceptional customer service and communication skills, with a focus on delivering high-quality support
• Skilled in creating technical documentation and delivering training to facilitate knowledge transfer across teams
• Experience with Red Hat Linux, Rubrik, SANs, and VMware administration considered a strong advantage
• Proficient in scripting with Bash, PowerShell, or similar languages to automate tasks and streamline operations
• Demonstrated project management capabilities, with a track record of successfully leading complex IT initiatives

Basic Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on root cause analysis and resolution
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences

Education and Professional Requirements:

• VMware and Linux certification an advantage
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant discipline or equivalent experience
• 10 years experience supporting a multi vendor environment including SAN, virtualisation and Microsoft products