Senior Unix/VMware Administrator

Company Description
At Nielsen, we are passionate about our work to power a better media future for all people by providing powerful insights that drive client decisions and deliver extraordinary results. Our talented, global workforce is dedicated to capturing audience engagement with content - wherever and whenever it's consumed. Together, we are proudly rooted in our deep legacy as we stand at the forefront of the media revolution. When you join Nielsen, you will join a dynamic team committed to excellence, perseverance, and the ambition to make an impact together. We champion you, because when you succeed, we do too. We enable your best to power our future.
Job Description
We are seeking a skilled and experienced Unix/VMware L2 Administrator to join our Bengaluru-based infrastructure team. With 4 to 7 years of deep technical expertise, the ideal candidate will act as a key escalation point, responsible for advanced troubleshooting, proactive management, and optimization of our hybrid cloud infrastructure. This role requires a strong technical individual capable of handling complex environmental issues, driving automation initiatives, and mentoring junior team members, ensuring the resilience, security, and performance of our Linux and VMware platforms
Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an escalation point (Level 2) for complex issues related to Linux (CentOS, Alma, Ubuntu, OEL) and VMware environments that cannot be resolved by the L1 team.
• Perform in-depth troubleshooting and root cause analysis for performance issues, system crashes, and other complex incidents on VMware hosts and guest VMs.
• Manage and administer the enterprise virtual infrastructure, including performance tuning, capacity planning, and lifecycle management of ESXi hosts and vCenter.
• Architect, build, and maintain standardized OS builds and templates, ensuring they adhere to security best practices.
• Develop and maintain scripts using Shell, PowerShell, or Ansible to automate routine administrative tasks, system deployments, and configuration management.
• Participate in infrastructure projects, including technology upgrades, data center migrations, and the integration of new hardware and software solutions.
• Collaborate with Security, Networking, and Application Development teams to design and implement robust and secure solutions.
• Mentor L1 administrators, providing technical guidance and creating documentation to build the knowledge base of the entire team.
• Manage security patching, vulnerability remediation, and system hardening across the Linux server fleet to maintain security compliance.
• Contribute to the strategic vision of our hybrid cloud journey, assisting with the integration and management of workloads in public cloud environments.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 4 to 7 years of progressive experience in Linux and VMware administration.
• Extensive technical expertise with Linux Operating Systems including CentOS, Alma, Ubuntu, and Oracle Enterprise Linux.
• Proven experience in advanced administration and troubleshooting of VMware vSphere (ESXi & vCenter) in an enterprise setting.
• Strong scripting and automation skills with technologies like Linux shell scripting and Ansible.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise server hardware (Dell, Cisco UCS) and storage solutions (SAN/NAS, iSCSI/Fibre Channel).
• Solid understanding of networking concepts, including software-defined networking (VMware distributed switches).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical troubleshooting sessions and perform root cause analysis.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills (Good To Have)

• Professional-level certifications such as VMware Certified Professional (VCP-DCV) or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
• Hands-on experience with managing IaaS/PaaS resources in public cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Experience with infrastructure management tools like UCS Intersight, Dell OpenManage, or monitoring solutions.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus.
• Experience with security tools such as Tanium, CrowdStrike, or CyberArk.
• Track record of successfully participating in technology transformation or migration projects.
• Experience with Solaris is an advantage.

Additional Information
Please be aware that job-seekers may be at risk of targeting by scammers seeking personal data or money. Nielsen recruiters will only contact you through official job boards, LinkedIn, or email with a domain. Be cautious of any outreach claiming to be from Nielsen via other messaging platforms or personal email addresses. Always verify that email communications come from an address. If you're unsure about the authenticity of a job offer or communication, please contact Nielsen directly through our official website or verified social media channels.