Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) / VDI Engineer

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) / VDI Engineer to design, deploy, manage, and support a secure and performant virtual desktop environment on the Microsoft Azure platform. The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert in VDI architecture, bringing deep hands-on knowledge of Azure services, virtualization technologies, and endpoint management solutions. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional IT teams, agency stakeholders, and security personnel to ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards while continuously improving the virtual desktop experience.

Key Responsibilities

Azure & VDI Infrastructure

• Design, deploy, configure, and manage Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments, including host pools, session hosts, application groups, and workspace configurations.
• Administer and optimize virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to ensure high availability, performance, and scalability in alignment with agency requirements.
• Evaluate and implement Azure services relevant to VDI including Azure Active Directory, Azure Monitor, Azure Storage, and Azure Networking to support robust desktop delivery.

Networking & Security

• Apply in-depth knowledge of networking principles (DNS, VPN, ExpressRoute, NSGs) as they relate to virtual desktop connectivity and performance.
• Configure and document port requirements and application traffic flows necessary to traverse agency firewall configurations.
• Implement and maintain security best practices for virtual desktop environments, including access control policies, data encryption, endpoint hardening, and compliance with organizational security standards.
• Monitor the VDI environment for security threats and vulnerabilities; coordinate with the security team to remediate identified risks.

Endpoint & Systems Management

• Manage Windows Server operating systems and their integration with Azure services to support VDI workloads.
• Utilize SCCM / OSD and Microsoft Intune / AutoPilot for system provisioning, configuration management, patch deployment, and lifecycle management of virtual desktop images.
• Develop and maintain standard operating environment (SOE) images and golden templates for virtual desktop deployment.

Scripting, Automation & Troubleshooting

• Develop and maintain automation scripts (PowerShell, Python, or equivalent) to streamline provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and administrative tasks within the VDI environment.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues related to virtual desktop performance, connectivity, application delivery, and user experience.
• Proactively monitor environment health, analyze performance metrics, and implement efficiency improvements to reduce incidents and improve uptime.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate effectively with infrastructure, security, application, and project teams to align VDI solutions with broader IT and business objectives.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders at varying technical levels, including documenting architecture decisions, procedures, and operational runbooks.
• Stay current with evolving Azure services, VDI technologies, and industry best practices; proactively recommend improvements and emerging solutions to leadership.
• Participate in technical design reviews, change management processes, and project planning activities as required.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) to six (6) years of hands-on experience in IT infrastructure, systems engineering, or cloud engineering roles.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience deploying, configuring, and supporting Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) in production or government-grade environments.

Technical Skills

• Azure Services: Proficient understanding of Microsoft Azure, with emphasis on services supporting Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
• Virtualization: Practical experience with Hyper-V and/or VMware; hands-on AVD deployment, configuration, management, and day-to-day support.
• Networking: Solid understanding of DNS, TCP/IP, VPNs, NSGs, firewalls, and application port requirements in virtual desktop environments.
• Windows Server: Demonstrated familiarity with Windows Server OS versions and their integration with Azure workloads.
• Endpoint Management: Practical experience with SCCM / OSD and Microsoft Intune / AutoPilot for device provisioning, management, and patching.
• Security: Working knowledge of VDI security controls, identity and access management, endpoint hardening, and data protection best practices.
• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in at least one scripting language (PowerShell strongly preferred; Python or Bash also valued) for automation of administrative and operational tasks.
• Troubleshooting: Proven ability to diagnose and resolve performance, connectivity, and application delivery issues within a VDI/cloud environment.

Soft Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player, comfortable working across multi-disciplinary IT teams and third-party vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification.
• Experience working within government, public sector, or regulated environments subject to compliance frameworks (e.g., FedRAMP, NIST, FISMA).
• Familiarity with Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and other observability tools for VDI environment health monitoring.
• Experience with Azure Site Recovery, backup solutions, and disaster recovery planning for virtual desktop environments.
• Knowledge of zero-trust security architecture principles as applied to virtual desktop and cloud environments.
• Prior experience with multi-Service Provider delivery models and cross-functional project team coordination.
• Project Management exposure (PMP or equivalent) is a plus.