vDefend – Security Architect

Job Overview:

• The Security Architect (VCF & vDefend SME) is a senior-level, customer-facing role responsible for leading the security architecture, design validation, and certification of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) environments for a global financial services client. This role focuses on ensuring alignment with stringent Global Information Security (GIS) standards through advanced implementation of VMware vDefend capabilities.
• The architect will serve as a trusted advisor, driving both high-level strategy and detailed design across VCF 9 architecture, security micro-segmentation, and hybrid cloud integration, while supporting enterprise transformation and modernization initiatives.

Job Description (Key Responsibilities):

• Security Architecture & vDefend Implementation
• Lead the discovery, planning, design, and validation of micro-segmentation strategies using VMware vDefend.
• Develop and implement distributed firewall (DFW) policies to secure Tier-0 through Tier-N applications.
• Utilize Security Services Platform (SSP) capabilities such as Security Intelligence for traffic flow analysis, rule recommendations, and monitoring.
• Ensure adoption of Zero Trust principles through consistent policy enforcement within VCF environments.

Certification & Compliance

• Partner with Global Information Security (GIS) stakeholders to achieve security certification for VCF platforms.
• Align solution architecture with enterprise security standards, regulatory requirements, and audit expectations.

VCF Architecture & Design Leadership

• Lead customer discovery sessions and design workshops with technical and executive stakeholders.
• Translate business requirements into scalable VCF 9 solutions, including high-level and low-level designs.
• Define workload domain strategies, NSX networking and security architecture, vSAN policies, and SDDC Manager integration.
• Develop architecture diagrams, deployment blueprints, and design documentation aligned with VMware best practices.

Transformation & Migration Strategy

• Provide guidance on migration strategies from legacy vSphere and earlier VCF versions to VCF 9.
• Contribute to modernization roadmaps and lifecycle planning, including upgrades and platform evolution.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
• Act as a trusted advisor to customer executives and technical leaders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with delivery architects, consultants, project managers, and partner teams.
• Lead design reviews and ensure alignment with VMware validated solutions and reference architectures.

Experience Requirements:

• 8+ years of experience in VMware infrastructure, cloud, or enterprise architecture roles.
• Proven hands-on experience designing VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF 5.x / 9.x) solutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in VMware vDefend (NSX security, micro-segmentation, distributed firewall).
• Experience working in regulated industries (e.g., financial services) and supporting compliance frameworks.
• Previous customer-facing consulting experience, including leading workshops and stakeholder engagements.
• Experience designing hybrid cloud solutions (e.g., VMware Cloud on AWS, Azure VMware Solution, Google Cloud VMware Engine).

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Advanced technical certifications preferred.

Required Skills & Competencies:

Core Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of VMware Cloud Foundation architecture (compute, storage, networking, and lifecycle management).
• Strong proficiency in:vSphere architecture NSX networking and security vSAN storage architecture and policies VCF Automation and Operations

Security & vDefend

• Advanced experience with vDefend capabilities, including:Micro-segmentation strategy Distributed firewall (DFW) policies Security Intelligence and traffic analysis
• Understanding of Zero Trust security models and enterprise security frameworks.

Design & Documentation

• Ability to create:High-level and low-level design (HLD/LLD) documents Architecture diagrams and deployment blueprints Technical requirements, risk assessments, and decision logs

Customer Engagement

• Strong communication and presentation skills across technical and executive audiences.
• Ability to explain design tradeoffs and architectural decisions clearly.
• Proven track record building trusted advisor relationships.

Migration & Lifecycle Management

• Experience with:vSphere to VCF migration strategies Platform upgrades and lifecycle planning VCF Operations integration

Certifications (Preferred/Required):

• VMware Cloud Foundation Architect Certification (2V0-13.25) – Preferred

JOBID: 12381