Lead VDI Engineer in Farnborough, Hampshire

Lead VDI Engineer in Farnborough, Hampshire

Farnborough +1 Full-Time 42000 - 84000 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and deployment of secure VDI solutions for critical defence systems.
  • Company: Join Sopra Steria, a leader in digital solutions for government clients.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private health cover, and a Β£5400 car allowance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: VMware certification and experience with enterprise VDI environments required.
  • Other info: Opportunity for professional development and career growth in a dynamic team.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 Β£ per year.

Are you a Lead VDI Engineer looking for your next challenge? We are delivering a unique, highly secure, multi-tenant and multi-datacentre platform from our new Farnborough site and are seeking a hands-on VDI specialist to design, deploy, configure and maintain the EUC layer of a large-scale Wintel and VMware Horizon environment. This platform underpins critical defence-sector systems and must meet stringent NCSC-aligned security and architectural standards. You will take ownership of the VDI/EUC stack end-to-end from design and build through to deployment, hardening and ongoing optimisation, shaping the technical direction of the service and leading delivery across multiple lifecycle environments. Office based in Farnborough with limited options to work from home. You must be eligible for DV Clearance.

What you will be doing:

  • Lead and drive the technical direction of the EUC/VDI services workstream.
  • Design and implement multi-site, multi-tenant VDI farms using VMware Horizon.
  • Produce and maintain design documentation, including Low-Level Designs (LLDs), release notes, and failover/disaster recovery procedures.
  • Define and document build standards, processes and operational procedures, continuously reviewing and improving them.
  • Lead end-to-end VDI service deployments across all lifecycle environments (development, test, pre-production and production).
  • Own the stability, resilience and security posture of the virtualisation services platform.

What You'll bring:

  • VMware certification (or equivalent hands-on experience).
  • Proven experience designing and deploying enterprise VMware Horizon environments.
  • Strong technical expertise across Horizon View, vCenter, ESXi and Unified Access Gateway (UAG).
  • Experience with Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM), gold image management and App Volumes.
  • Solid understanding of securely hardening virtualisation platforms in line with CIS/NIST (or equivalent) standards.
  • Good working knowledge of Active Directory, networking fundamentals, and core services such as DNS/DHCP.

It would be great if you had:

  • Design and build of EUC endpoint devices, including thin/zero/thick clients running Windows or Linux (e.g. Windows 11, BeCrypt Paradox).
  • Supporting core Microsoft Windows Server services, including Active Directory, AD DS and AD FS (Federation Services).
  • Working knowledge of Cisco-based network infrastructure and services.
  • Administration of Microsoft DNS and DHCP in enterprise environments.

If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we are looking for, please do apply, we would love to hear from you!

Locations

Farnborough Hampshire

Lead VDI Engineer in Farnborough, Hampshire employer: Sopra Steria

Sopra Steria is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Farnborough where you can lead the technical direction of critical defence-sector systems. With a strong focus on professional development, a supportive culture, and generous benefits including private health cover and a flexible benefits fund, employees are empowered to thrive while making a meaningful impact on national security.
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Contact Detail:

Sopra Steria Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Lead VDI Engineer in Farnborough, Hampshire

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Lead VDI Engineer role.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects and achievements in VDI and VMware environments. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions related to VMware Horizon and VDI. Practice explaining your past experiences and how they align with the job description. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who are eager to join our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead VDI Engineer in Farnborough, Hampshire

VMware Horizon
vCenter
ESXi
Unified Access Gateway (UAG)
Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM)
Gold Image Management
App Volumes
CIS/NIST Standards
Active Directory
Networking Fundamentals
DNS
DHCP
Design Documentation
Disaster Recovery Procedures
EUC Endpoint Device Design

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead VDI Engineer role. Highlight your experience with VMware Horizon and any relevant certifications. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role and how your past experiences have prepared you for the challenges ahead. We love a good story!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your technical expertise in areas like Active Directory and network fundamentals. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we can’t wait to see your application come through!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria

✨Know Your VDI Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of VMware Horizon and the specific technologies mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with designing and deploying enterprise environments, as well as any relevant certifications you hold.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially around hardening virtualisation platforms and ensuring security compliance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.

✨Understand the Company’s Mission

Familiarise yourself with Sopra Steria's work in the defence sector and their commitment to national security. This will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their mission.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, and future projects. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your expectations. Consider asking about their approach to continuous improvement in VDI services.

Lead VDI Engineer in Farnborough, Hampshire
Sopra Steria
Location: Farnborough

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