Enterprise Architect - Virtualization in London

Enterprise Architect - Virtualization in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
World Wide Technology

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead virtualization and private cloud projects from design to execution, ensuring top-notch delivery.
  • Company: Join World Wide Technology, a leader in innovative tech solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health perks, remote work options, and growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Mentor a dynamic team and shape the future of cloud technology.
  • Why this job: Be the go-to expert in cutting-edge virtualization and cloud technologies.
  • Qualifications: 8-10 years in virtualization with hands-on experience in VMware and RedHat platforms.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

Overview

Own end-to-end technical delivery of virtualization and private cloud engagements: architecture definition, low-level design, build/migration oversight, and go-live validation.

Host and chair Architecture Review Board (ARB) and Technical Design Authority (TDA) sessions for virtualization engagements, owning governance gates, decision records, and design sign-off.

Architect and validate VMware environments: v Sphere/ESXi cluster design, v Center, v SAN, NSX-T/NSX-V network virtualization, and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) deployments.

Architect Red Hat platforms: Open Shift Container Platform (OCP) design and installation (IPI/UPI), Open Shift Virtualization (Kube Virt) for VM-to-container consolidation, and Red Hat Open Stack Platform (RHOSP) design and deployment.

Lead VMware-to-Kubernetes and VM-to-container migration strategy engagements, including workload assessment, sequencing, and risk mitigation—particularly relevant given ongoing VMware/Broadcom licensing changes driving client re‑evaluation.

Design software‑defined storage and networking as applied to virtualization platforms: v SAN, Ceph/Open Shift Data Foundation (ODF), and NSX.

Define disaster recovery and business continuity architectures for virtualized estates, including Site Recovery Manager and equivalent DR orchestration.

Lead technical design workshops, present architecture options and trade‑offs to infrastructure leadership, and own resulting low-level design documentation.

Champion infrastructure‑as‑code and automation (Ansible, Terraform, Git Ops/Argo CD) to reduce manual platform operations.

Mentor other virtualization and platform engineers, and contribute to WWT's private cloud reference architectures.

Define migration strategies, lead technical delivery independently and act as the final technical authority on virtualization platform decisions for an engagement.

Communicate platform trade‑offs clearly to both hands‑on engineering teams and infrastructure leadership.

Comfortable owning migration cutover windows and the associated risk management.

Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end technical delivery of virtualization and private cloud engagements.
  • Host and chair Architecture Review Board (ARB) and Technical Design Authority (TDA) sessions for virtualization engagements.
  • Architect and validate VMware environments: v Sphere/ESXi cluster design, v Center, v SAN, NSX‑T/NSX‑V, and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) deployments.
  • Architect Red Hat platforms: Open Shift Container Platform (OCP) design and installation (IPI/UPI), Open Shift Virtualization (Kube Virt), and Open Stack Platform (RHOSP).
  • Lead VMware‑to‑Kubernetes and VM‑to‑container migration strategy engagements, including workload assessment, sequencing, and risk mitigation.
  • Design software‑defined storage and networking for virtualization platforms: v SAN, Ceph/Open Shift Data Foundation (ODF), and NSX.
  • Define disaster recovery and business continuity architectures for virtualized estates, including Site Recovery Manager and equivalent DR orchestration.
  • Lead technical design workshops, present architecture options and trade‑offs to infrastructure leadership, and own low-level design documentation.
  • Champion infrastructure‑as‑code and automation (Ansible, Terraform, Git Ops/Argo CD) to reduce manual platform operations.
  • Mentor other virtualization and platform engineers, and contribute to private cloud reference architectures.
  • Define migration strategies, lead technical delivery independently, and act as the final technical authority on virtualization platform decisions.
  • Navigate vendor and licensing complexity, translating commercial constraints into sound technical roadmaps for clients.
  • Communicate platform trade‑offs clearly to both hands‑on engineering teams and infrastructure leadership.
  • Comfortable owning migration cutover windows and the associated risk management.

Qualifications

  • 8‑10+ years in virtualization, private cloud, or infrastructure architecture roles.
  • Demonstrated ownership of technical delivery for enterprise‑scale virtualization or private cloud transformation programmes.
  • Direct hands‑on experience with VMware‑to‑Kubernetes or VM‑to‑container migration engagements strongly preferred.
  • Core Platform Expertise
  • VMware Platform (Expert Level): v Sphere/ESXi cluster design, v Center architecture, resource pools, DRS/HA tuning, v SAN design and sizing, stretched clusters, storage policy‑based management, NSX‑T/NSX‑V network virtualization, micro‑segmentation, distributed firewall design, VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) deployment and lifecycle management, Site Recovery Manager design, Horizon VDI architecture a plus.
  • Red Hat Platform (Expert Level): Open Shift Container Platform (OCP) architecture and installation (IPI/UPI), cluster networking (SDN/OVN‑Kubernetes), multi‑cluster design, Open Shift Virtualization (Kube Virt) VM‑to‑container consolidation, Open Stack Platform (RHOSP) architecture, deployment, and lifecycle operations, Red Hat Satellite and Ansible Automation Platform for lifecycle and configuration management.
  • Containers & Cloud‑Native

Fundamentals: Kubernetes architecture fundamentals, control plane design, networking (CNI, Multus, SR‑IOV), storage (CSI, ODF/Ceph), operator framework familiarity and experience packaging or consuming Kubernetes operators.

  • Software‑defined storage: Ceph/Open Shift Data Foundation design and sizing for both block and object workloads.
  • Migration, DR & Commercial

Strategy: private/hybrid cloud design principles, capacity planning, workload placement, migration methodology (P2V/V2V, VM‑to‑container), disaster recovery and business continuity architecture for virtualized and containerized environments, fluency in VMware/Broadcom and Red Hat subscription/licensing models.

  • Automation & Delivery: Infrastructure‑as‑code proficiency (Ansible, Terraform), Git Ops experience (Argo CD or equivalent) for Open Shift/Kubernetes application and platform delivery.

Certifications

  • VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP‑DCV) required; VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) strongly preferred.
  • Red Hat Certified Specialist in Open Shift Administration required; Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) strongly preferred.
  • Red Hat Certified Specialist in Open Stack Administration required or clearly demonstrated equivalent experience.
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) beneficial.
  • Adjacent Technical Skills (Beneficial, Not Required)
  • Public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), particularly hybrid and cloud‑adjacent private cloud designs.
  • Networking (routing/switching, data center fabric) given the tight coupling with NSX/OVN‑Kubernetes design.
  • Storage architecture beyond v SAN/Ceph, including traditional SAN/NAS platforms.
  • Security architecture, particularly micro‑segmentation and platform hardening.
  • AI infrastructure exposure, as GPU‑enabled virtualization and Open Shift AI are an increasing share of client demand.
  • Backup and DR platforms (Veeam, Rubrik, or equivalent).
  • Company Statement

World Wide Technology is looking for an Enterprise Architect who lives and breathes virtualization and private cloud platforms—someone equally fluent architecting a VMware v Sphere/NSX estate and a Red Hat Open Shift or Open Stack platform, and who can lead clients through the platform decisions reshaping this space, including VMware‑to‑Kubernetes migration.

This role owns technical delivery for virtualization and private cloud engagements end to end: architecture and low‑level design, build oversight, migration execution, and operational handover.

The candidate will be the final technical authority on virtualization platform decisions for their engagements, while mentoring the wider delivery team.

Given how tightly virtualization now intersects with containers, storage, networking, and even AI infrastructure, strong adjacent technical breadth is a real advantage for this role, even though platform depth in VMware and Red Hat remains the core requirement.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Enterprise Architect - Virtualization in London employer: World Wide Technology

World Wide Technology is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to drive impactful technology transformations. With a strong focus on professional development, team collaboration, and innovative solutions, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while working remotely in a supportive environment. The company's commitment to excellence and client engagement ensures that every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of technology in business.

World Wide Technology

Contact Details:

World Wide Technology Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Enterprise Architect - Virtualization in London

Join the IT Consultancy Buzz

Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what World Wide Technology values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!

Show Off Your Skills

Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges World Wide Technology might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.

Leverage LinkedIn for Connections

Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at World Wide Technology!

Direct Apply to World Wide Technology

Let's not forget to apply directly through the World Wide Technology website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!

We think you need these skills to ace Enterprise Architect - Virtualization in London

VMware vSphere/ESXi cluster design
vCenter architecture
vSAN design and sizing
NSX-T/NSX-V network virtualization
VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) deployment
OpenShift Container Platform (OCP) design and installation
OpenShift Virtualization (KubeVirt)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at World Wide Technology.

Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at World Wide Technology. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.

Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!

How to prepare for a job interview at World Wide Technology

Brush Up on Your Technical Skills

For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach

IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.

Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions

When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.