VMware Lead Solution Architect

Lead Datacenter & Cloud Solution ArchitectWe are looking for a highly experienced Datacenter & Cloud Solution Architect to support a strategic infrastructure transformation initiative focused on defining the next-generation enterprise datacenter architecture, technology stack, and operating model.The role requires a strong combination of hands-on infrastructure knowledge, enterprise architecture capability, and executive-level advisory skills. The successful candidate will help shape a future-state architecture that is technically sound, resilient, scalable, commercially supportable, and suitable for long-term business growth.Role OverviewThe architect will lead the technical assessment of the existing infrastructure landscape and translate business, operational, resilience, security, and technology requirements into a clear set of architecture principles and future-state recommendations.A key part of the role is maintaining an independent and technology-neutral perspective while evaluating different infrastructure, virtualization, cloud, and managed-service options.Key ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities will include: Assessing the current datacenter and infrastructure environment Identifying technology dependencies, constraints, lifecycle risks, and modernization opportunities Defining future-state architecture principles and technical standards Designing target architecture across: Compute Storage Networking Virtualization Platform services Backup and recovery Disaster recovery Monitoring Automation Infrastructure management Evaluating alternative technology and architecture scenarios Comparing different platforms and technology providers objectively Assessing feasibility, complexity, compatibility, operational impact, lock-in, and strategic alignment Developing technical decision frameworks and architecture comparison models Assessing opportunities to reuse existing infrastructure and identifying refresh requirements Defining high-level migration strategies, dependencies, sequencing, and major risks Evaluating internal, hybrid, and managed operating models Providing technical assumptions to support sizing, licensing, lifecycle, support, migration effort, and cost assessments Supporting executive stakeholders with clear technical recommendations and decision materials Expected DeliverablesThe role may contribute to or own outputs such as: Current-state infrastructure assessment Architecture requirements and guiding principles Future-state datacenter architecture Technology option analysis Feasibility and risk assessment Architecture decision framework Recommended technology stack High-level migration roadmap Compatibility and lifecycle assessment Infrastructure sizing assumptions Licensing and support assumptions Migration and operational effort estimates Hardware refresh assumptions Technical inputs for Bill of Materials and cost modelling Operating model considerations Executive architecture recommendation Technology selection documentation The architect will provide the technical foundation for financial and commercial evaluations, while not being responsible for commercial negotiations or detailed financial modelling.Cloud & Hybrid ArchitectureStrong experience with Microsoft Azure is required, particularly across: Landing zone architecture Identity and security integration Networking Compute and storage Governance and policy Monitoring and observability Hybrid connectivity Cloud operating models Cost optimization and FinOps considerations Experience designing architectures that span on-premise, hybrid, and cloud environments is essential.Infrastructure ExpertiseCandidates should bring strong end-to-end knowledge of enterprise infrastructure, including areas such as: Enterprise compute platforms Storage architectures Datacenter networking VMware and/or Hyper-V environments Enterprise backup and recovery platforms Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Windows and Linux environments Database infrastructure Monitoring and management platforms Automation and orchestration Disaster recovery and business continuity Datacenter facilities and infrastructure dependencies Transformation & Migration ExperienceThe ideal candidate will have previously supported large-scale infrastructure or cloud transformation programs involving complex environments, multiple systems, business units, or locations.Relevant experience may include: Datacenter consolidation or modernization Cloud and hybrid-cloud migrations Virtualization platform transformation Infrastructure refresh programs Application and workload migration planning Operating model redesign Managed-services transitions Platform standardization Infrastructure lifecycle modernization The architect should be able to define migration waves, dependencies, technical sequencing, resource assumptions, risks, and validation requirements.Architecture & Advisory SkillsThe role requires the ability to operate effectively between senior management and deeply technical teams.You shoul