Vmware Cloud Architect

**Job Family Summary**:

- The VMware Cloud Architect is a key element within the Rackspace support infrastructure and is expected to provide department, company and industry management and implementation into solutions.
- The Architect is expected to take initiative and advise on potential pitfalls that may encounter on large scale multi-platform infrastructure across all customers.
- Addresses specific customer needs through leveraging new and existing feature sets, products, and technologies.
- Evaluates, documents solutions and trains Cloud Engineering and support staff to ensure supportability of customer environments.
- Serves as the last stop in the Rackspace support group for technical escalation and issue resolution of the most complex problems.
- Architects own escalations to ensure resolution and are leveraged as a Subject Matter Expert for input on new product selection and implementation into the support structure.

The Architect will also partner with vendors to analyze escalated requests for assistance, using this data to identify training opportunities that elevate the level of technical expertise and drive positive customer outcomes.

Responsible for adhering to company security policies and procedures and any other relevant policies and standards as directed.

**Career Level Summary**:

- Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in own job discipline or field
- Leads others to solve complex problems
- Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations
- May provide functional leadership to teams or projects Critical Competencies
- Systems Thinking: Provides guidance when evaluating the impacts of a solution to ensure linkages between structure, people, process and technology
- Technology Advising/Consulting: Exceeds customers’ expectations by listening for unexpressed needs; connects customer needs to relevant service offerings and new technology.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Technical point of escalation to the Rackspace Virtualization Infrastructure team.
- Create and deliver customer solutions that maintain, deploy, upgrade, and troubleshoot infrastructure solutions
- Participate in and define future state end-to-end architectures, platforms, products, tools, and solutions to advance security capabilities
- Work closely with customers in the pre-implementation process to design and architect desired customer solutions which require products which may not currently be in the supported product portfolio.
- Research, plan and coordinate complex maintenance activities
- Lead analysis effort to support and drive Root Cause Analysis (RCA) exercises to drive process & technology improvements related to systems support products.
- Review vendor support escalations to identify training opportunities
- Collaborate and share knowledge with other administrators and engineers via wiki articles and training presentations
- Contribute to the development of technical best practices for administrative responsibilities.
- Prepare and review defined policy and process standards.
- Own assigned account specific complex projects and act as an informal project lead to work with stakeholders.
- Actively engage partners and vendors to understand vendor products, proof of concept implementations, and guide successful onboarding and integration of new Cloud technologies
- Coach, mentor and assists Rackers across the business
- Collaborate with Account Managers and Business Development Consultants to build strong customer relationships
- Collaborate and share knowledge with the Cloud support floor Person Specification Knowledge
- Advanced knowledge of Linux or Windows OS.
- Advanced web programming and scripting ability.
- Advanced knowledge of designing, building, implementing, analyzing, and troubleshooting distributed, highly available systems
- Advanced knowledge of Project Management methodologies
- VMWare Platform
- o Advanced knowledge of the vSphere platform (Design and Implementation)
- o Strong networking and NSX administration skills.
- 0 Strong working knowledge of fibre channel SANS, NFS and vSAN o Strong knowledge and working experience with vROps (now vAOps) -Implementation of infrastructure.

Strong working knowledge of HP/DELL Server hardware platforms
- o Strong knowledge/troubleshooting of Disaster Recovery technologies (e.g. ZERTO, SRM). Proven experience planning and deploying DR infrastructure.
- o Strong knowledge and hands on experience with vCloud Director.
- Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in own job discipline or field
- Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes, or services Skills
- Passionate about technology and has a desire to constantly expand technical knowledge
- Detail-oriented in documenting information and able to own customer issues through resolution - Able to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work under pressure
- Demonstrate sound problem-solvi