The Principal Consulting Engineer designs, deploys, and optimizes private cloud infrastructure, ensuring solutions meet customer approval while providing leadership and technical guidance.
Description
At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It's why we're coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we're headed. We're proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.
Job Summary
The Principal Consulting Engineer ensures solutions are delivered as designed and meet customer approval. We are seeking an experienced VMware Cloud Foundation Architect to design, deploy, and optimize private cloud infrastructure built on VCF 9.0. This role serves as the technical authority for our software-defined data center strategy, driving standardization and automation across compute, storage, and networking management layers.
What you will do:
* Collaborate with the technical architect on training plans and approaches to best equipped staff for successful implementations. Develop standards, best practices and training for team members along with technical architect and technical lead in their area of expertise.
* Define project strategies or technical options to balance customer project goals and financial constraints. Provide leadership and expert advice/counsel on technical subject matters and architecture design to Customers, the Infrastructure Solutions Team, and other Extended Sirius Teams.
* Escalate and communicate alternatives with associated risks with executives and stakeholders. Ensure procedures are being followed and assist in resolving complex problems which require professional level input.
* Regularly interface with customer's technical and business executive level and project leadership through sales presentations and/or client project solutions in communicating complex ideas, anticipating potential objections and leading discussions to align expectations.
Key Responsibilities:
* Architect and lead end-to-end VCF 9.0 deployments
* Design workload domains, cluster configurations, and lifecycle management strategies aligned to business requirements
* Lead migration and onboarding of existing VMware workloads into VCF-managed infrastructure
* Define and enforce cloud operating model standards including RBAC, tagging taxonomy, and capacity management
* Develop automations using PowerCLI, Terraform (VMware provider), and Aria Automation
* Produce HLD/LLD documentation, runbooks, and architectural decision records (ADRs)
* Provide technical governance and mentorship to delivery teams
What we expect of you:
* The ideal candidate for this position should have a Bachelor's degree in business or computer science or an equivalent field, 10 years of IT Infrastructure experience, including at least 3 years in large enterprise consulting, OR
* 14 years total Information Technology experience, to include 10 years of IT Infrastructure experience, including at least 3 years in large enterprise consulting.
* 7+ years in enterprise virtualization/private cloud architecture
* Hands-on expertise with VCF 4.x/5.x with working knowledge of VCF 9.0 changes (consolidated architecture, VCF Import, enhanced lifecycle management)
* Deep proficiency in vSphere, vSAN (ESA and OSA), and NSX
* Experience with SDDC Manager BOM management and async patch workflows
* Familiarity with hardware compatibility (VxRail, Cisco UCS, HPE Synergy) and stretched cluster design
* They should be able to maintain client relationships as a trusted advisor and mentor engineers for project design and coordination. Excellent communication skills are required, with experience in making technology recommendations.
* The candidate should have a history of constructive relationships at all organizational levels and the ability to research complex technology solutions and present them to clients. They should remain calm and productive in situations of change, ambiguity, and risk.
* The ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment is essential. The candidate should anticipate future trends and create strategies that add value.
* A willingness to work beyond the regular shift, on weekends, and overtime as needed is expected. The candidate should also be willing to travel to other CDW locations or client sites. A valid U.S. driver's license is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
* VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) or VCP-VCF certification
* Experience with hybrid cloud connectivity (HCX, Azure VMware Solution, Google VMware Engine)
* Background in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, federal) Pay range: $ 158,000 - $ 200,000 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/ 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.
* We make technology work so people can do great things.
* CDW is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. A Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, CDW helps its customers to navigate an increasingly complex IT market and maximize return on their technology investments. Together, we unite. Together, we win. Together, we thrive. 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. CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, CDW's goal is to get to know you as an applicant and understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. While AI can help you present yourself more clearly and effectively, the essence of your application should be authentically yours. To learn more, please review [CDW's AI Applicant Notice](https://www.cdwjobs.com/pages/ai-applicant-notice).
At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It's why we're coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we're headed. We're proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.
Job Summary
The Principal Consulting Engineer ensures solutions are delivered as designed and meet customer approval. We are seeking an experienced VMware Cloud Foundation Architect to design, deploy, and optimize private cloud infrastructure built on VCF 9.0. This role serves as the technical authority for our software-defined data center strategy, driving standardization and automation across compute, storage, and networking management layers.
What you will do:
* Collaborate with the technical architect on training plans and approaches to best equipped staff for successful implementations. Develop standards, best practices and training for team members along with technical architect and technical lead in their area of expertise.
* Define project strategies or technical options to balance customer project goals and financial constraints. Provide leadership and expert advice/counsel on technical subject matters and architecture design to Customers, the Infrastructure Solutions Team, and other Extended Sirius Teams.
* Escalate and communicate alternatives with associated risks with executives and stakeholders. Ensure procedures are being followed and assist in resolving complex problems which require professional level input.
* Regularly interface with customer's technical and business executive level and project leadership through sales presentations and/or client project solutions in communicating complex ideas, anticipating potential objections and leading discussions to align expectations.
Key Responsibilities:
* Architect and lead end-to-end VCF 9.0 deployments
* Design workload domains, cluster configurations, and lifecycle management strategies aligned to business requirements
* Lead migration and onboarding of existing VMware workloads into VCF-managed infrastructure
* Define and enforce cloud operating model standards including RBAC, tagging taxonomy, and capacity management
* Develop automations using PowerCLI, Terraform (VMware provider), and Aria Automation
* Produce HLD/LLD documentation, runbooks, and architectural decision records (ADRs)
* Provide technical governance and mentorship to delivery teams
What we expect of you:
* The ideal candidate for this position should have a Bachelor's degree in business or computer science or an equivalent field, 10 years of IT Infrastructure experience, including at least 3 years in large enterprise consulting, OR
* 14 years total Information Technology experience, to include 10 years of IT Infrastructure experience, including at least 3 years in large enterprise consulting.
* 7+ years in enterprise virtualization/private cloud architecture
* Hands-on expertise with VCF 4.x/5.x with working knowledge of VCF 9.0 changes (consolidated architecture, VCF Import, enhanced lifecycle management)
* Deep proficiency in vSphere, vSAN (ESA and OSA), and NSX
* Experience with SDDC Manager BOM management and async patch workflows
* Familiarity with hardware compatibility (VxRail, Cisco UCS, HPE Synergy) and stretched cluster design
* They should be able to maintain client relationships as a trusted advisor and mentor engineers for project design and coordination. Excellent communication skills are required, with experience in making technology recommendations.
* The candidate should have a history of constructive relationships at all organizational levels and the ability to research complex technology solutions and present them to clients. They should remain calm and productive in situations of change, ambiguity, and risk.
* The ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment is essential. The candidate should anticipate future trends and create strategies that add value.
* A willingness to work beyond the regular shift, on weekends, and overtime as needed is expected. The candidate should also be willing to travel to other CDW locations or client sites. A valid U.S. driver's license is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
* VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) or VCP-VCF certification
* Experience with hybrid cloud connectivity (HCX, Azure VMware Solution, Google VMware Engine)
* Background in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, federal) Pay range: $ 158,000 - $ 200,000 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/ 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.
* We make technology work so people can do great things.
* CDW is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. A Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, CDW helps its customers to navigate an increasingly complex IT market and maximize return on their technology investments. Together, we unite. Together, we win. Together, we thrive. 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. CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, CDW's goal is to get to know you as an applicant and understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. While AI can help you present yourself more clearly and effectively, the essence of your application should be authentically yours. To learn more, please review [CDW's AI Applicant Notice](https://www.cdwjobs.com/pages/ai-applicant-notice).
Top Skills
Aria Automation
Nsx
Powercli
Sddc Manager
Terraform
Vcf 9.0
Vmware Cloud Foundation
Vsan
Vsphere
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