Sr Data Center Implementation Engineer (VMware & Cisco UCS)

Job Title: Sr Data Center Implementation Engineer (VMware & Cisco UCS)

Location: Bethesda MD Onsite

Overview:

KNZ Solutions is looking for a highly skilled Implementation Engineer with expertise in VMware vSphere/vCenter and Cisco Systems to join our team. This role requires a strong background in compute storage and virtualization technologies. The successful candidate will play a key role in deploying configuring and maintaining VMware environments as well as managing Cisco UCS hardware for optimal performance and scalability in enterprise environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• VMware Infrastructure Deployment & Migration:
  Design implement and manage VMware vSphere and vCenter environments.
  Plan and execute the migration of VMware ESXi workloads to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF).
  Use VMware tools and best practices to facilitate seamless migration from ESXi to VCF ensuring minimal downtime and no data loss.
  Configure and optimize VMware ESXi hosts clusters and virtual machines on VCF platforms for performance and scalability.
• VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Management:
  Oversee the deployment and management of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) integrating it with existing VMware environments.
  Manage and maintain VCF components including vSphere vSAN NSX and vRealize Suite to provide a fully automated cloud infrastructure platform.
  Monitor VCF health capacity and performance and provide recommendations for optimization.
• Cisco UCS Management:
  Implement configure and maintain Cisco UCS hardware including servers fabric interconnects and chassis.
  Create and manage server profiles and policies within Cisco UCS Manager.
  Troubleshoot and perform firmware upgrades on Cisco UCS components ensuring seamless integration with VMware.
• Storage Solutions:
  Implement and maintain storage solutions within VMware environments including SAN/NAS and VMware vSAN.
  Integrate storage into VMware clusters ensuring redundancy high availability and performance.
  Provide support for storage provisioning LUNs datastores and VMware storage policies.
• Automation & Scripting:
  Leverage automation tools such as PowerCLI Ansible or Python to streamline VMware and Cisco UCS operations.
  Automate common tasks and configuration changes to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.
• Project Implementation & Delivery:
  Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth and timely delivery of IT infrastructure projects.
  Assist in the creation of project timelines risk assessments and detailed implementation plans.
  Provide high-level and granular configuration documentation for systems and solutions.
• Support & Troubleshooting:
  Provide ongoing support for VMware and Cisco UCS environments ensuring minimal downtime.
  Troubleshoot hardware software and configuration issues within both VMware and Cisco UCS environments.
  Monitor systems for performance and capacity issues responding to alerts and ensuring optimal system uptime.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience with VMware vSphere and vCenter in enterprise environments including experience with VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) for managing cloud infrastructure
• Strong experience with Cisco UCS hardware including servers fabric interconnects and UCS Manager.
• Experience working with VMware storage technologies (vSAN iSCSI NFS etc.).
• Proficiency in configuring optimizing and managing VMware clusters virtual machines and storage within VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
• Familiarity with server provisioning and resource management in VMware environments.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for both VMware and Cisco UCS systems.
• Experience with scripting tools like PowerCLI or Python to automate VMware and UCS tasks including automation for VCF management.
• Good knowledge of system monitoring backup and disaster recovery processes in virtualized environments including VCF-based solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• VMware Certified Professional (VCP) certification.
• Experience with VMware NSX VMware vRealize Suite VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) or other VMware enterprise tools.
• Experience with storage systems such as Pure Storage NetApp or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with cloud environments or hybrid cloud solutions.
• Knowledge of automation frameworks (Ansible Terraform) for infrastructure management.

Work Environment:

• Office environment with the potential for occasional client visits.
• Requirement for full-time on-site presence at customer location.
• Some travel may be required for implementation support or training.