Addison Group
Lead Infrastructure Innovation & Automation Engineer
Location: Chicago, IL — Hybrid (3 days onsite per week)
Salary Target: Up to $165,000 base
Benefits: Full-time role, eligible for benefits
Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Infrastructure & Automation Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and support of hybrid infrastructure solutions across both on‑premise and AWS environments. This role is ideal for an engineer with deep, hands‑on experience in Windows Server, VMware, automation frameworks, infrastructure‑as‑code, and CI/CD methodologies.
The position emphasizes innovation, automation, and operational excellence—requiring strong technical leadership and the ability to collaborate across engineering, DevOps, and security teams.
What You’ll Do
- Administer, support, and optimize Windows Server environments (2016/2019/2022) across on‑prem and AWS.
- Design, build, and maintain automated CI/CD pipelines for server builds and AMIs using Jenkins, Terraform, Ansible, and Packer .
- Manage and support hybrid infrastructure including VMware virtualization technologies (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter) and AWS workloads.
- Troubleshoot complex OS, system, and application issues; partner with cross‑functional teams and vendors for resolution.
- Automate infrastructure provisioning, patching, image creation, and operational activities to increase efficiency and reliability.
- Participate in system hardening, security patching, and vulnerability remediation efforts.
- Ensure all infrastructure aligns with organizational compliance, audit, and change‑management standards.
- Contribute to modernization initiatives including container platforms; exposure to Kubernetes is highly valuable.
- Participate in after‑hours maintenance or support as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- No direct reports, but expected to mentor peers, provide technical guidance, conduct knowledge sharing, and influence engineering standards.
Qualifications
Professional Experience
- 7+ years of Windows Server engineering and enterprise infrastructure support.
- 2–3+ years supporting hybrid environments (on‑prem + AWS).
- Must have originated from a true infrastructure background —not purely DevOps‑focused roles.
Platform & Solution Expertise
- Strong experience with:
- Windows Server administration
- VMware virtualization technologies
- AWS (EC2, networking, hybrid integrations)
- Proven ability to build automated, reliable, and secure infrastructure solutions using IaC and CI/CD pipelines.
- Experience with Kubernetes or container ecosystems considered a plus.
Technical Skills
- Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 administration (advanced level).
- Infrastructure‑as‑Code & automation tools:
- Terraform
- Ansible
- Jenkins
- Packer / AMI image management
- VMware (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter)
- AWS compute, networking, and hybrid cloud services
- PowerShell scripting; Python or Bash scripting preferred
- Active Directory / Group Policy
- Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, firewalls, load balancers)
- Vulnerability remediation and patch management experience
- Kubernetes or container experience (preferred)
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field preferred
- Equivalent experience accepted
Certifications (Preferred)
- Microsoft: Windows Server or Azure certifications
- VMware: VCP-DCV or comparable
- AWS: Solutions Architect – Associate or similar
- Terraform, Ansible, or other automation‑focused certifications
Additional Profile Notes
- Ideal candidates have 8–10 years of hands‑on infrastructure engineering experience .
- Must be strong across at least two or three key domains such as Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins, Kubernetes, and AWS.
- Expected to lead automation and innovation initiatives across Windows, VMware, storage, and broader infrastructure areas.
- Must be able to design solutions, build automation, and then hand off stable, documented work to ongoing operations teams.