We are looking for a seasoned and hands-on Lead Infrastructure Engineer / Architect with deep expertise in network design, infrastructure architecture, firewall and security solutions, and virtualization technologies such as VMware. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving end-to-end design and delivery of complex IT infrastructure projects across on-prem, hybrid, and cloud environments. The ideal candidate will have a solid technical background, strong leadership capabilities, and a passion for delivering robust, secure, and scalable infrastructure solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of enterprise-grade IT infrastructure solutions.
* Design and review network topologies, security zones, firewall rules, and infrastructure security policies in alignment with business and compliance needs.
* Architect and implement solutions across virtualization platforms (VMware), cloud environments (IaaS), and on-premises systems.
* Develop scalable infrastructure roadmaps, ensuring high availability, performance, and disaster recovery capabilities.
* Oversee and guide implementation teams, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and best practices.
* Work collaboratively with other architects, project managers, security teams, and stakeholders to align infrastructure plans with overall IT strategy.
* Conduct regular technical reviews, risk assessments, and performance evaluations of infrastructure solutions.
* Contribute to the development of automation, monitoring, and proactive support frameworks for infrastructure systems.
* Stay updated with emerging infrastructure and security technologies and evaluate their potential integration into existing systems.
Required Skills and Experience:
* 10+ years of experience in IT infrastructure with leadership in architecture and solution design.
* Proven experience in network design, infrastructure planning, firewall and security design.
* Hands-on expertise with VMware vSphere/ESXi, vCenter, and virtualization best practices.
* Strong knowledge of UNIX/Linux and Windows Server platforms.
* Experience in architecting solutions across data center, SAN/NAS storage, backup/DR, and IT security domains.
* Exposure to cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure/GCP) and hybrid architectures.
* In-depth understanding of routing/switching, firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA, etc.), and security hardening practices.
* Familiarity with automation tools (Ansible, Terraform, etc.) and monitoring solutions (Nagios, Zabbix, SolarWinds, etc.).
* Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure on critical issues.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Certifications:
* VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
* Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) / Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
* AWS/Azure Architect Certification
* ITIL Foundation / TOGAF (preferred but not mandatory)