The Senior System Engineer II focuses on designing, deploying, and managing enterprise virtualization platforms, including hypervisors and operating systems, while leading projects and mentoring teams.
Description
The Senior System Engineer II is a technical leader specializing in the design, deployment, and operations of enterprise systems platforms. This role centers on deep expertise across multiple hypervisors- including Red Hat OpenShift, Azure Local (Azure Stack HCI), and VMware ESXi- to support scalable, secure, and resilient compute environments. The engineer will also manage HPE server hardware, administer Windows and Red Hat operating systems, and lead vulnerability remediation efforts across the infrastructure stack. As a senior contributor, this role provides project leadership, mentors engineering teams, and drives strategic initiatives to enhance performance, security, and operational excellence across hybrid on-prem and cloud platforms.
What you will do:
Key Responsibilities:
Virtualization & Hypervisor Engineering
* Engineer, deploy, and manage enterprise hypervisor platforms (VMware ESXi/vCenter, Azure Local, OpenShift/KVM) across CDW data centers and hybrid cloud.
* Own cluster design standards, lifecycle management, capacity planning, and performance optimization.
* Troubleshoot complex virtualization issues spanning compute, storage, and network layers.
* Lead modernization assessments and recommend platform enhancements aligned to CDW's infrastructure strategy. Compute & Operating System Engineering
* Support and maintain HPE ProLiant servers, iLO, firmware/driver baselines, and hardware health.
* Administer Windows Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems running on virtual platforms.
* Implement automation for provisioning, configuration, and lifecycle operations (PowerShell, Ansible, Terraform). Security, Vulnerability & Compliance
* Lead remediation for hypervisor, OS, and compute vulnerabilities.
* Evaluate CVEs impacting virtualization platforms and prioritize risk-based remediation plans.
* Apply hardening standards across ESXi, Azure Local, and OpenShift clusters.
* Partner with Security to ensure compliance with CDW policies and audit requirements. Hybrid Cloud & Platform Integration
* Support Azure Local/Azure hybrid deployments including VM provisioning, workload placement, and cluster connectivity.
* Contribute to virtualization initiatives within OpenShift platforms with Ansible automation skills Leadership & Project Delivery
* Serve as technical lead for virtualization upgrades, platform expansions, migrations, and DR initiatives.
* Mentor junior engineers and operational support teams.
* Develop design documents, SOPs, runbooks, and knowledge transfer materials.
* Collaborate with stakeholders across Security, Networking, Storage, Applications, and PMO. Operational Excellence
* Drive RCA and corrective actions for virtualization-related incidents.
* Maintain monitoring, alerting, and performance baselines for all compute and hypervisor platforms.
* Participate in on-call rotation to ensure enterprise availability.
What we expect of you:
* Bachelor's Degree and 7 years in systems engineering with a strong emphasis on virtualization technologies; OR 11 years in systems engineering with strong emphasis on virtualization technologies.
* Expert experience with VMware ESXi, Azure Local/Azure Stack HCI, and OpenShift/KVM virtualization.
* Strong competency in HPE server platforms, Windows Server, and RHEL.
* Proven experience leading vulnerability remediation and platform hardening efforts.
* Demonstrated success leading complex technical projects and mentoring engineering teams.
* Excellent communication and documentation skills.
* Certifications such as Azure Administrator/Architect, RHCSA/RHCE, VCP, a plus.
* Experience with PowerShell, Ansible, or Terraform automation, a plus.
* Experience with storage, data protection, and disaster recovery practices, a plus.
* Understanding of enterprise networking, storage (FC, iSCSI, vSAN), and monitoring tools, a plus.
* Proven experience as a key technical resource leading the implementation and cross-functional solutions, a plus.
* Experience with SAFE Agile, a plus.
* ServiceNow experience, a plus.
* Patch Management experience, a plus. Pay range: $123,000 - $190,600 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: [https://cdw.benefit-info.com/](https://cdw.benefit-info.com/) Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials
* CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization
* We're looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner's mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances- not replaces- human creativity and decision-making. You don't need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.
* About Us
* CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what's possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn't just what we do- it's how we do it. At CDW we act as one- building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win- focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward- staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That's why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees- working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities. As a full-stack, full-lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what's next. Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do.
* Together, we Make Amazing Happen.
* CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.
The Senior System Engineer II is a technical leader specializing in the design, deployment, and operations of enterprise systems platforms. This role centers on deep expertise across multiple hypervisors- including Red Hat OpenShift, Azure Local (Azure Stack HCI), and VMware ESXi- to support scalable, secure, and resilient compute environments. The engineer will also manage HPE server hardware, administer Windows and Red Hat operating systems, and lead vulnerability remediation efforts across the infrastructure stack. As a senior contributor, this role provides project leadership, mentors engineering teams, and drives strategic initiatives to enhance performance, security, and operational excellence across hybrid on-prem and cloud platforms.
What you will do:
Key Responsibilities:
Virtualization & Hypervisor Engineering
* Engineer, deploy, and manage enterprise hypervisor platforms (VMware ESXi/vCenter, Azure Local, OpenShift/KVM) across CDW data centers and hybrid cloud.
* Own cluster design standards, lifecycle management, capacity planning, and performance optimization.
* Troubleshoot complex virtualization issues spanning compute, storage, and network layers.
* Lead modernization assessments and recommend platform enhancements aligned to CDW's infrastructure strategy. Compute & Operating System Engineering
* Support and maintain HPE ProLiant servers, iLO, firmware/driver baselines, and hardware health.
* Administer Windows Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems running on virtual platforms.
* Implement automation for provisioning, configuration, and lifecycle operations (PowerShell, Ansible, Terraform). Security, Vulnerability & Compliance
* Lead remediation for hypervisor, OS, and compute vulnerabilities.
* Evaluate CVEs impacting virtualization platforms and prioritize risk-based remediation plans.
* Apply hardening standards across ESXi, Azure Local, and OpenShift clusters.
* Partner with Security to ensure compliance with CDW policies and audit requirements. Hybrid Cloud & Platform Integration
* Support Azure Local/Azure hybrid deployments including VM provisioning, workload placement, and cluster connectivity.
* Contribute to virtualization initiatives within OpenShift platforms with Ansible automation skills Leadership & Project Delivery
* Serve as technical lead for virtualization upgrades, platform expansions, migrations, and DR initiatives.
* Mentor junior engineers and operational support teams.
* Develop design documents, SOPs, runbooks, and knowledge transfer materials.
* Collaborate with stakeholders across Security, Networking, Storage, Applications, and PMO. Operational Excellence
* Drive RCA and corrective actions for virtualization-related incidents.
* Maintain monitoring, alerting, and performance baselines for all compute and hypervisor platforms.
* Participate in on-call rotation to ensure enterprise availability.
What we expect of you:
* Bachelor's Degree and 7 years in systems engineering with a strong emphasis on virtualization technologies; OR 11 years in systems engineering with strong emphasis on virtualization technologies.
* Expert experience with VMware ESXi, Azure Local/Azure Stack HCI, and OpenShift/KVM virtualization.
* Strong competency in HPE server platforms, Windows Server, and RHEL.
* Proven experience leading vulnerability remediation and platform hardening efforts.
* Demonstrated success leading complex technical projects and mentoring engineering teams.
* Excellent communication and documentation skills.
* Certifications such as Azure Administrator/Architect, RHCSA/RHCE, VCP, a plus.
* Experience with PowerShell, Ansible, or Terraform automation, a plus.
* Experience with storage, data protection, and disaster recovery practices, a plus.
* Understanding of enterprise networking, storage (FC, iSCSI, vSAN), and monitoring tools, a plus.
* Proven experience as a key technical resource leading the implementation and cross-functional solutions, a plus.
* Experience with SAFE Agile, a plus.
* ServiceNow experience, a plus.
* Patch Management experience, a plus. Pay range: $123,000 - $190,600 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: [https://cdw.benefit-info.com/](https://cdw.benefit-info.com/) Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials
* CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization
* We're looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner's mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances- not replaces- human creativity and decision-making. You don't need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.
* About Us
* CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what's possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn't just what we do- it's how we do it. At CDW we act as one- building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win- focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward- staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That's why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees- working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities. As a full-stack, full-lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what's next. Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do.
* Together, we Make Amazing Happen.
* CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.
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