Job Title: Lead Windows & VMware Support Engineer Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (or Remote/Hybrid] Experience Level: 7+ Years Job Summary: We are seeking a highly experienced and technically proficient Lead Windows and VMware Support Engineer to join our IT operations team. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of hands-on experience in the design, implementation, administration, and troubleshooting of complex Windows Server environments and VMware virtualization platforms. This role requires a deep understanding of enterprise-level infrastructure, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to mentor junior team members. Key Responsibilities: • System Administration & Support: o Lead the administration, maintenance, and support of Windows Server operating systems (2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022) across physical and virtualized environments. o Perform advanced troubleshooting of Windows Server issues, including performance bottlenecks, crashes, and application compatibility problems. o Manage and maintain Active Directory, Group Policies, DNS, DHCP, DFS, and other core Windows services. o Ensure system availability, reliability, and performance through proactive monitoring and preventative maintenance. o Implement and manage Windows Update Services (WSUS) and patch management strategies. • Virtualization Management (VMware): o Design, deploy, configure, and manage VMware vSphere environments (ESXi, vCenter Server) including clusters, DRS, HA, and vMotion. o Perform advanced troubleshooting of VMware-related issues, including host connectivity, VM performance, storage connectivity (NFS, iSCSI, FC), and network configuration. o Manage virtual machine lifecycles, including provisioning, cloning, snapshotting, and template creation. o Optimize VMware environments for performance, capacity, and resource utilization. o Experience with VMware Horizon, NSX, or vSAN is a strong plus. • Troubleshooting & Problem Solving: o Act as a subject matter expert for critical incidents related to Windows and VMware infrastructure. o Perform root cause analysis (RCA) for complex outages and recurring problems, implementing long-term solutions. o Utilize monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios, PRTG) to proactively identify and resolve issues. • Security & Compliance: o Implement and enforce security best practices for Windows Servers and VMware environments. o Ensure compliance with internal security policies and external regulations (e.g., SOX, GDPR, HIPAA if applicable). o Manage user access and permissions adhering to the principle of least privilege. • Automation & Scripting: o Develop and maintain PowerShell scripts for automating routine tasks, system configurations, and reporting. o Explore and implement other automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform) for infrastructure as code. • Documentation & Reporting: o Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for system configurations, processes, and procedures. o Generate regular reports on system performance, availability, and capacity. • Mentorship & Leadership: o Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior support engineers. o Lead small projects or initiatives related to Windows and VMware infrastructure upgrades or new deployments. o Participate in on-call rotation as required for critical support. • Collaboration: o Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Network, Storage, Database, and Application teams. o Communicate technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Required Skills & Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience). • 7+ years of progressive experience in supporting and administering enterprise-level Windows Server and VMware environments. • Strong expertise in Windows Server OS: Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022. • In-depth knowledge of Active Directory: Group Policy management, DNS, DHCP, replication, and trust relationships. • Extensive experience with VMware vSphere: ESXi, vCenter Server, vMotion, HA, DRS, and related components. • Proficiency in PowerShell scripting for Windows and VMware automation. • Solid understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, routing). • Experience with storage technologies (SAN, NAS, iSCSI, Fibre Channel). • Familiarity with backup and recovery solutions (e.g., Veeam, Commvault). • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. • Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. • Relevant industry certifications (e.g., MCSA/MCSE, VCP-DCV) are highly preferred.