Lead Virtualisation Architect

Contract: Lead Virtualisation Architect
Duration: 6 months
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Sheffield - Onsite 3 days a week minimum
Rate: Negotiable (Inside IR35 determination via Umbrella)
Reference: 19961

We are seeking a Lead Virtualisation Architect with deep expertise in VMware-to-OpenShift migration projects to join our Enterprise Infrastructure & Cloud Transformation team. This role will lead complex migration programs, advising clients on modernisation strategies, designing target architectures, and ensuring secure, scalable, and high-performing virtualised and containerised environments.

The successful candidate will combine hands-on technical mastery with Principal-level consultative skills, guiding senior stakeholders through strategic transformation while mentoring delivery teams across architecture, networking, and DevOps disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture Leadership:
• Design and implement enterprise-grade migration strategies from VMware-based virtualisation to OpenShift container platforms (on-prem, hybrid, or cloud).
• Define end-to-end architectures including compute, storage, network, and security components.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise architecture principles, governance, and security frameworks.
• Migration Strategy & Execution:
• Assess current virtualisation estates (vSphere, NSX, vSAN) and develop migration roadmaps to OpenShift.
• Lead proof-of-concept and pilot deployments to validate performance and integration.
• Provide technical oversight during migration execution, ensuring minimal disruption and optimal resource utilisation.
• Networking & Integration:
• Architect and optimise network appliance configurations (load balancers, Firewalls, SDN, DNS, ingress/egress) to support OpenShift workloads.
• Collaborate closely with Network Operations and Security teams to ensure seamless interoperability.
• Consultative Leadership:
• Engage directly with executive stakeholders and technical teams to shape transformation vision, roadmap, and business outcomes.
• Provide thought leadership on modernisation, automation, and hybrid-cloud strategies.
• Mentor technical teams and champion best practices for containerisation, orchestration, and infrastructure as code.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential Technical Expertise:

• Proven experience leading large-scale VMware to OpenShift migration programs.
• Deep hands-on expertise in:
• VMware vSphere, vCenter, ESXi, NSX, and vSAN.
• Red Hat OpenShift (installation, cluster configuration, operators, networking).
• Linux (RHEL) and containerisation (Docker, Podman).
• Strong understanding of network appliances and virtual network architectures (F5, Palo Alto, Cisco ACI, NSX-T, etc.).
• Familiarity with automation and orchestration (Ansible, Terraform, GitOps, ArgoCD).
• Cloud integration experience (AWS, Azure, GCP) with OpenShift on cloud-managed services (ROSA, ARO, GKE).

Soft Skills/Leadership:

• Previous delivery of similar project in large Enterprise clients and in a regulated environment
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and consulting presence at CxO and senior IT levels.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business outcomes.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary teams across architecture, engineering, and operations.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills.

Networking People (UK) is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.