Virtual Desktop Engineer

Position Title:

Virtual Desktop Engineer

Time Type:

Full time

Position Summary and Qualifications:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Client Platform Engineering, as well as the Senior Director of Systems Engineering, the Virtual Desktop Engineer (VDE) will provide leadership and direction around the administration and engineering of the Saint Joseph’s University’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) service, principally located within the Lancaster Location. The VDE will be responsible for the maintenance, performance, and security of all VDI operations, including application development and packaging, secure operating system image creation, and integrations with existing SJU systems and services.

In addition, the VDE will be responsible for assisting with tasks and operations within the Client Platform Engineering department including Active Directory administration, authentication services (Microsoft Azure/Entra ID), print services, vulnerability monitoring and remediation, ticket escalation, and will partner with key constituents within the University community to devise secure and ideal solutions around all client services (VDI or otherwise).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: (include but are not limited to)

• Configure, administer, and provide support for the University’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

  • Maintain and update existing VDI desktop images, perform ongoing security reviews, testing, patching, and deployment of golden images and virtual machine pools.

  • Continually work with end users to understand their evolving needs and requirements with regards to the overall (virtual) desktop experience, and design/implement solutions to meet these needs.

  • Plan, deploy, and maintain VDI desktop applications through VMware App Volumes.

  • Manage the Dynamic Environment Managed (DEM) for configuring end-user desktop settings.

• In collaboration with members of the Client Platform Engineering team, operate and maintain the University’s Active Directory environment.

  • AD user, group, device administration and associated troubleshooting, security audit and review, and Group Policy Object (GPO) configurations.

• Provide timely support to the Technology Support Services team by assisting with the triaging of end-user support issues and tickets when necessary.

• Maintain and support managed-print solutions across all University locations.

  • Including the University’s secure printing application, Pharos, as well as new printer implementations/replacements in coordination with our managed print vendors.

• In coordination with other members of the Client Platform Engineering team, operate and maintain the University’s Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) platforms provided through Microsoft Azure Entra ID.

  • Including troubleshooting and triage of authentication issues, security risks, new implementations, feature enhancements, and synchronization problems with our Active Directory environment.

• Produce, maintain, and update technical documentation around support, processes, and procedures.

Secondary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops potential problem avoidance systems, process improvement and process redesign.

• Assist with the maintenance and support of the University’s Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution, Malwarebytes.

• Assist with remediation of security issues and vulnerabilities, including assistance with security auditing/reporting, proactive identification and review of support applications and services, and produce recommendations to resolve issues in a timely manner.

• Engineer and produce desktop configuration management capabilities utilizing appropriate tool sets such as PowerShell, PDQ Deploy, and VMware Workspace One.

• Provide recommendations around process improvements within IT support workflows, including suggestions for new technologies, identification of deficiencies, and refinements around existing processes.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education/Training and Experience Required)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field and/or a combination of education, certifications, and experience.

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience building, imaging, deploying, monitoring, patching, and documenting VDI desktops and servers using VMware Horizon, Dynamic Environment Manager, App volumes, Unified Access Gateways and Connection servers.

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in managing Microsoft Azure/Entra ID, Microsoft 365, and related services.

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience with Mobile Device Management solutions, preferably VMware Workspace One. 

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in each of the following is required for the position: Systems problem solving and analysis, testing programs/systems, managing implementations and conversions.

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience providing leadership and direction to users of computer applications.

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience planning and managing Windows server platforms, Active Directory, deploying group policy, administering DNS, powershell scripting, load balancing.

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience administering and supporting remote access to internal network resources.

• One (1) to three (3) years of project management experience that involves computer software implementations, daily operational support, review, and evaluation of system performance.

• Knowledge of best practices in computing security and administration.

• Must possess excellent problem-solving, organization, interpersonal, written and oral skills and professional skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented, inclusive and diverse environment and demonstrate initiative and self-management of tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience supporting users/team members with problem solving, developing/coordinating with vendors or RFP’s, RFI’s and SOW.

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in each of the following is preferred: Windows PowerShell, writing technical documentation, disaster recovery planning.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:

• Must be able to sit or stand for considerable periods of time at a computer, ability to lift hardware, and be able to replace system components in the case of failure.

• Transporting equipment on a hand truck.

• Occasional evening and weekend hours.

• Be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for critical systems problems on campus.

• The position will be fully remote, but may occasionally require physical presence within SJU campus locations (Hawk Hill, University City, and Lancaster) for specific projects or efforts, which will be planned in advance. Applicants must be available within reasonable driving distance (~2 hours) of the Hawk Hill campus location either for pre-planned work and/or during emergencies. Candidates should expect to be on the Hawk Hill campus up to twice per month.

Fully remote candidates may be considered for this position. The salary range for this position is $68,200-$75,000 annually. Offered salary will be commensurate with work experience and educational background. 

Saint Joseph’s University is a private, Catholic, Jesuit institution and we expect members of our community to be knowledgeable about – and to make a positive contribution to – our mission. Saint Joseph’s University is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to recruit, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce. The University is committed to the diversity of its faculty and staff so that our students, our disciplines and our community as a whole can benefit from the multiple perspectives it offers. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. EOE

Saint Joseph’s University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities, including admission and employment, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws and regulations. To contact the Title IX Coordinator, e-mail titleix@sju.edu, visit Campion Student Center suite 243, or call 610-660-1145. To learn more about the University’s Title IX policies, the process for filing a report or formal complaint of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other form of sexual misconduct, and the University’s response to reports and/or formal complaints, please visit www.sju.edu/titleix. Inquiries may also be directed to the Federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

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