Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Platform Engineer, focusing on UCS firmware and VMware ESXi upgrades.
- Company: Be part of a global leader in market infrastructure, driving innovation in financial markets.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work flexibility, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Work with cutting-edge technology and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong expertise in VMware ESXi and Cisco UCS is essential; experience with automation tools is a plus.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to enhance your skills while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: London, UK (Hybrid - 2-3 days/week onsite)
Duration: 06+ Months
About the Client:
Our client is a global leader in market infrastructure, providing access to financial and commodities markets through innovative and responsible solutions. They specialize in improving price discovery, liquidity, and data distribution for clients worldwide.
Role Overview:
We are seeking an experienced consultant specializing in Cisco UCS firmware upgrades and ESX upgrades. The ideal candidate will have deep technical expertise in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and VMware ESXi, with a strong focus on upgrade execution, troubleshooting, and system optimization. This role requires hands-on experience with UCS Fabric Interconnects, service profiles, VMware clusters, and best practices for maintaining high availability and performance during upgrade processes.
Role Responsibilities:
- UCS Firmware Upgrades: Plan, coordinate, and execute UCS firmware upgrades across Fabric Interconnects, blades, and rack servers. Ensure minimal downtime and system stability during upgrades. Troubleshoot any post-upgrade issues and coordinate resolutions with Cisco TAC if necessary.
- ESXi Upgrades & Maintenance: Upgrade VMware ESXi hosts and ensure compatibility with UCS firmware versions. Validate upgrades in staging/UAT environments before deployment to production. Address performance, compatibility, and licensing considerations post-upgrade.
- Performance Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Monitor system performance pre- and post-upgrade to ensure stability. Investigate and resolve any upgrade-related failures or performance degradations. Work with cross-functional teams to address any interoperability issues.
- Capacity Planning & Scalability: Assess current infrastructure to determine upgrade impacts and resource requirements. Plan for future scalability while ensuring UCS and ESXi environments remain optimized.
- Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed records of upgrade procedures, rollback plans, and post-upgrade reports. Provide recommendations for improving upgrade processes and minimizing operational risk.
Experience / Competencies:
Essential:
- VMware ESXi Expertise: Strong understanding of ESXi, vCenter, clustering (HA, DRS, vMotion), and Storage vMotion.
- Cisco UCS Administration: Expertise in Cisco UCS Manager, Fabric Interconnects, service profiles, and hardware configurations.
- Firmware Upgrade Experience: Hands-on experience planning and executing UCS firmware and ESXi upgrades. Knowledge of upgrade dependencies, interoperability considerations, and rollback strategies.
- Performance Tuning & Troubleshooting: Ability to diagnose and resolve UCS and ESXi performance issues. Experience using VMware and Cisco diagnostic tools for root cause analysis.
- Automation & Scripting: Familiarity with PowerCLI, Ansible, or Python for automating upgrade-related tasks.
- Storage & SAN Connectivity: Understanding of integrating VMware with SAN/NAS storage (Fibre Channel, iSCSI).
- Incident Management & Support: Experience handling P1/P2 incidents and working with Cisco TAC/VMware Support.
- Infrastructure Documentation: Ability to create detailed upgrade runbooks and troubleshooting guides.
Desired:
- Experience with UCS Central for multi-site UCS management.
- Familiarity with VMware vSAN and NSX.
- Knowledge of hybrid cloud deployments (AWS/Azure VMware solutions).
- Understanding of ITIL change management processes.
Platform Engineer -UCS & VMware employer: Vallum Associates
Contact Detail:
Vallum Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Platform Engineer -UCS & VMware
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to brush up on your Cisco UCS and VMware ESXi knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the latest features and best practices, as this will help you stand out during discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field through platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with others who work in similar roles can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific upgrade scenarios you've handled in the past. Being able to articulate your hands-on experience with UCS firmware and ESXi upgrades will demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with automation tools like PowerCLI or Ansible. Highlighting your ability to automate tasks can set you apart from other candidates and show that you're proactive about optimising processes.
We think you need these skills to ace Platform Engineer -UCS & VMware
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Cisco UCS and VMware ESXi. Focus on specific projects where you've executed firmware upgrades, troubleshooting, and system optimisation.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your hands-on experience with UCS Fabric Interconnects and VMware clusters. Mention any relevant certifications or training that showcase your expertise in this area.
Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly list your technical skills related to VMware ESXi, UCS Manager, and automation tools like PowerCLI or Ansible. Use bullet points for clarity and ensure they align with the job requirements.
Highlight Problem-Solving Experience: Provide examples of how you've successfully resolved performance issues or managed upgrade-related failures. This will demonstrate your troubleshooting capabilities and ability to work under pressure.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vallum Associates
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with Cisco UCS and VMware ESXi in detail. Highlight specific projects where you executed firmware upgrades or resolved performance issues, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Research the client’s market infrastructure and their approach to financial and commodities markets. Understanding their business model will help you tailor your responses and show how your skills can contribute to their goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially related to troubleshooting post-upgrade issues or managing system performance. Practise articulating your thought process and the steps you would take in various scenarios.
✨Demonstrate Your Documentation Skills
Since maintaining detailed records is crucial for this role, be ready to discuss how you document upgrade procedures and troubleshooting processes. Providing examples of your documentation practices can set you apart from other candidates.
