About This Opportunity
CTI Staffing is partnering with a well-established manufacturing organization to find a Network Architect - VMware vSAN Infrastructure for their infrastructure team based in Durham, NC (hybrid, onsite 3+ days/week).
This team is leading a major virtualization modernization effort, standardizing infrastructure across dozens of sites nationwide. The role owns the architecture and hands-on execution of that rollout, from design through migration.
What You'll Do
- Lead end-to-end design and implementation of enterprise vSAN solutions across a large multi-site environment
- Develop Infrastructure-as-Code solutions using Terraform for on-premises and cloud environments
- Perform site readiness assessments covering power, cooling, network connectivity, and deployment prerequisites
- Oversee hardware deployment including racking, stacking, cabling, and inventory validation
- Configure and standardize server BIOS, firmware, ESXi hosts, vCenter, and vSAN clusters
- Develop and execute migration strategies from legacy virtualization platforms to new infrastructure
- Lead VM migration, cutover, and stabilization activities while minimizing business disruption
- Produce architecture documentation, build guides, and operational runbooks
Requirements
What You Bring
Must-Have:
- 10+ years of enterprise infrastructure and virtualization architecture experience
- 5+ years hands-on with VMware vSphere, vCenter, and vSAN environments
- Advanced expertise in enterprise server platforms and vSAN Ready Node style deployments
- Demonstrated experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform) for on-prem and cloud
- Strong knowledge of legacy virtualization platforms for migration planning
- Expert-level understanding of storage architecture and data protection strategies
- Proficiency in network configuration (VLANs, MTU, distributed switches, VMkernel networking)
- Experience with multi-site infrastructure coordination and standardization
Nice-to-Have:
- VMware NSX networking and security experience
- Backup and disaster recovery solutions knowledge
- Monitoring and observability tools familiarity
- Experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects
- VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) or VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
Technical Environment:
- VMware vSphere, vCenter, vSAN
- Terraform / Infrastructure-as-Code
- Enterprise server hardware platforms
- Distributed switches, VLANs, VMkernel networking
What Success Looks Like:
- Standardized, repeatable deployment model proven across the first wave of sites
- Clean migration cutover with minimal business disruption
- Documentation and runbooks in place for ongoing operational support
Note: This role requires regular physical activity including lifting up to 75 lbs, working in data center environments, and travel (30-40%).
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