Server Admin Architect​/Lead

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The Server Administration Architect is responsible for defining the architecture, design standards, and long‑term roadmap of the enterprise Windows Server and VMware virtualization platforms. Building upon deep L3‑level expertise in server administration, Active Directory, VMware vSphere, automation, and security, the Architect ensures the infrastructure is scalable, resilient, compliant, and aligned with business strategy. This role provides architectural leadership across cross‑functional teams and drives modernization initiatives including hybrid cloud, automation frameworks, and enterprise security baselines.

The Server Administration Architect is responsible for defining the architecture, design standards, and long‑term roadmap of the enterprise Windows Server and VMware virtualization platforms. Building upon deep L3‑level expertise in server administration, Active Directory, VMware vSphere, automation, and security, the Architect ensures the infrastructure is scalable, resilient, compliant, and aligned with business strategy. This role provides architectural leadership across cross‑functional teams and drives modernization initiatives including hybrid cloud, automation frameworks, and enterprise security baselines.

• Platform Architecture & Design:
  Architect end‑to‑end Windows Server and VMware vSphere environments, covering AD, DNS, DHCP, GPO, ESXi clusters, vCenter, HA/DRS, and virtual networking/storage.
• Define reference architectures, high‑level designs (HLD), and low‑level designs (LLD) for server and virtualization platforms.
• Establish capacity models, performance baselines, and scalability frameworks for future growth.
• Technology Roadmap & Modernization:
  Lead modernization initiatives such as Windows Server upgrades, Active Directory redesign, VMware lifecycle upgrades, and hybrid cloud integration (Azure/VMware Cloud).
• Evaluate emerging technologies (Azure Arc, vSAN, Tanzu, automation frameworks) and recommend adoption strategies.
• Champion infrastructure‑as‑code, zero‑touch provisioning, and advanced automation.
• Governance, Standards & Compliance:
  Define server and virtualization governance policies including security baselines, hardening standards, and patching frameworks.
• Create and maintain architecture standards, configuration baselines, approved patterns, and compliance checklists.
• Ensure adherence to ITIL processes for change, incident, and problem management.
• Advanced Troubleshooting & RCA Leadership:
  Provide architectural‑level guidance for critical incidents and platform outages, lead deep‑dive root cause analysis (RCA), and define permanent corrective and preventive controls.
• Drive elimination of repeat issues through design improvements and automation.
• Automation & Optimization Strategy:
  Architect automation solutions using Power Shell, Python, or Ansible for provisioning, patching, configuration, security compliance, and reporting. Define performance tuning strategies for Windows, AD, and VMware environments. Standardize enterprise monitoring KPIs and alerting thresholds.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership:
  Work closely with network, storage, cloud, security, and application teams to ensure cohesive architectural alignment. Act as the primary infrastructure architect for new projects, migrations, and application onboarding. Provide architectural oversight during implementation by operational teams.
• Documentation & Knowledge Management:
  Produce HLD/LLD documents, architecture diagrams, runbooks, and SOP frameworks. Review and approve technical documentation produced by L3/L2 teams.
• Mentorship & Technical Leadership:
  Guide and mentor L3, L2, and L1 engineers in design principles, troubleshooting approaches, and automation best practices. Drive a culture of standardization, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Mastery of Windows Server administration, Active Directory, GPO, DNS, DHCP, IIS, and domain services architecture.
• Deep architectural understanding of VMware vSphere, vCenter, ESXi, HA/DRS, vMotion, virtual networking, and storage.
• Strong experience designing automation frameworks using Power…