Storage Architect/Engineer

Role Description:

The Storage Architect/Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and optimising enterprise-grade storage, virtualisation, and data-platform solutions across hybrid environments. This role requires deep expertise in storage platforms, virtualisation, data-centre technologies, and migration strategy, with growing emphasis on cloud, automation, and container-based architectures.
You will work closely with cross-functional infrastructure, cloud, security, and DevOps teams to deliver resilient, scalable, and high-performance storage services for mission-critical workloads.

Key Responsibilities:
Storage Architecture & Engineering:
* Design, implement, and maintain enterprise storage solutions (SAN/NAS/Object) across multi-vendor ecosystems.
* Lead storage assessments, capacity planning, performance tuning, and life cycle management.
* Develop High-Level Designs (HLDs) and Low-Level Designs (LLDs) for on-prem and hybrid storage systems.
* Own data-migration strategies and end-to-end execution (host-based, array-based replication, storage-to-storage, and cloud migration patterns).
* Deliver disaster recovery storage architecture, including replication, failover design, and runbooks (eg, SnapMirror, SRDF, RecoverPoint, etc.).
* Design and configure SAN fabrics, zoning, multipathing, and storage connectivity.

Virtualisation & Compute Integration:
* Architect and support VMware environments (vCenter/ESXi, HA/DRS clusters, storage policies, vSAN).
* Integrate storage solutions with VMware, Hyper-V, and container platforms.
* Participate in large-scale data-centre migrations, consolidation programmes, DR tests, and infra modernisation initiatives.

Cloud & Modernisation:
* Contribute to cloud storage designs (Azure preferred), including hybrid connectivity, virtual networks, subscriptions, and backup/replication patterns.
* Work with cloud-native storage constructs (managed disks, Azure Files/NFS, blob life cycle policies).

Containerisation & Platform Engineering (Desirable/Growth Area):
* Participate in OpenShift/Kubernetes platform design as it relates to:
o storage classes, CSI drivers
o persistent volumes and migration of stateful workloads
o cluster topology and operator-based deployments
* Work alongside DevOps teams to ensure storage integration for microservices platforms.

Automation, IaC & DevOps (Emerging Priority):
* Develop automation for storage provisioning, configuration, and compliance using:
o Ansible
o Terraform
o Python or Bash Scripting
* Integrate storage processes into CI/CD workflows where applicable (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, ArgoCD).

Security & Compliance:
* Ensure storage architectures meet security, audit, and operational compliance requirements.
* Contribute to network micro-segmentation and storage-centric security controls (RBAC, encryption at rest, key-management integration).

Documentation & Stakeholder Communication:
* Produce comprehensive HLDs, LLDs, operational documentation, migration runbooks, and architectural decision records.
* Provide expert guidance to engineering teams, project managers, and senior leadership.

Essential Skills & Experience:
Storage & SAN:
* Extensive experience across enterprise SAN/NAS platforms such as:
o NetApp (7-Mode, Clustered ONTAP)
o Dell EMC (VNX, VPLEX, Unity, VMAX, PowerMax)
o HPE 3PAR
o Brocade/Cisco SAN Switches (zoning, fabrics)
* Proven experience delivering complex storage migrations and DC transitions.

Virtualisation:
* Strong background in VMware vSphere/vCenter, ESXi clusters, resource scheduling, storage integration.
* Experience with VMware SRM/SRA.

Backup & DR:
* Experience with enterprise backup suites such as NetBackup, Veeam, EMC Networker, Data Domain, SnapVault/SnapMirror, etc.

Infrastructure Design:
* Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality HLD/LLD documentation.
* Experience leading large-scale migration projects (applications, workloads, storage, DC moves).

Cloud Exposure:
* Familiarity with Azure storage constructs, migrations, network design, and subscription planning.

Containerisation & Cloud-Native:
* Architectural experience with:
o OpenShift
o Kubernetes clusters (design, scaling, Operators, Helm)
o Persistent storage solutions for containers (CSI, RWX storage, stateful workload migration)

Pure Storage Expertise:
* Hands-on experience with:
o Pure FlashArray
o Pure FlashBlade
o Purity OS, snapshots, replication, Evergreen storage models.

Automation & IaC:
* Demonstrable experience with:
o Terraform (infrastructure provisioning)
o Ansible (configuration automation)
o Scripting languages (Python, Bash, PowerShell)

DevOps/CI-CD:
* Understanding of how storage integrates with:
o Jenkins
o GitHub Actions
o ArgoCD
o Artifact repositories

Modern Observability & Monitoring:
* Experience with storage and infrastructure monitoring platforms (Prometheus, Grafana, DataDog, SolarWinds).

Qualifications:
* Relevant vendor certifications (NetApp NCDA/NCIE, VMware VCP, EMC/DELL, HPE).
* Azure certifications (AZ-104/AZ-305) or equivalent desirable.
* Kubernetes/OpenShift certifications (CKA/CKAD/Red Hat EX280) strongly preferred.

Personal Attributes:
* Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
* Ability to work under pressure on complex technical challenges.
* Analytical problem solver with strong attention to detail.
* Able to lead technically while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

LA International is an award-winning partner of choice for many of the world's most influential companies and government organisations. Holding Enhanced Government Security Accreditation, we are recognised as the European market leader in the delivery of Security Cleared talent to organisations that demand the very highest levels of security, compliance and assurance.

A multiple award-winning organisation, having secured the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade over consecutive years. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background or identity, and we encourage candidates who may not meet every listed requirement to still apply. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure a fair and accessible experience.

Please Note: If a high volume of applications is received, only candidates shortlisted will be contacted.