VMware VDI to AWS WorkSpaces Core Migration Architect Company Cognizant

Federal Contractor Location Helena, MT

Date Posted 09/26/2026

Description VMware VDI to AWS Workspaces Core Migration Architect Location Remote Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future. Engagement Overview This document defines the roles and responsibilities for personnel required to execute a migration from VMware Horizon (Omnissa) to Amazon WorkSpaces Core. Team Structure One (1) Senior VDI Migration Architect serving as technical lead, supported by two (2) VDI Migration Engineers responsible for hands-on execution. Scope End-to-end migration delivery including infrastructure design, identity integration, application packaging, image lifecycle automation, data migration, patching workflows, and operational handover. Senior VDI Migration Architect (Lead) Purpose and Scope Serves as the technical lead and primary point of accountability for the migration engagement. Owns architecture decisions, customer-facingmunication, delivery oversight, and quality of all technical outputs. Key Responsibilities Design the target-state AWS WorkSpaces Core architecture including directory integration, networking, bundle strategy, and running-mode selection Define the Terraform module structure for WorkSpaces provisioning, FSx configuration, VPC/subnet layout, and IAM policies Architect CI/CD pipelines for golden image build, test, and deployment lifecycle Lead customer discovery sessions and translate business requirements into technical scope Establish the migration wave plan, cutover sequencing, and rollback procedures Review all automation code (Python, PowerShell) produced by the engineering team Own the patching strategy decision (image-rebuild vs. live-patch) and associated automation design Define monitoring, alerting, and observability standards (CloudWatch, Splunk, Datadog as applicable) Produce architecture documentation, runbooks, and knowledge-transfer materials Serve as escalation point for technical blockers and cross-team dependencies Required Technical Skills AWS WorkSpaces Core provisioning, bundle management, directory integration (AWS Managed AD, AD Connector), WorkSpaces APIs Terraform module development, state management, workspace strategy, CI/CD integration CI/CD GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or AWS CodePipeline for infrastructure and image pipelines Python automation scripting for provisioning, onboarding workflows, and validation PowerShell Windows image configuration, application silent-install scripting, Group Policy automation AWS platform services VPC, IAM, Directory Service, FSx for Windows File Server, S3, CloudWatch, KMS, AWS Backup, Systems Manager Networking Direct Connect, VPN, Transit Gateway, security groups, NACLs, hybrid DNS Identity Active Directory OU design, Group Policy, service account delegation Required Soft Skills Clear, factualmunication with customer stakeholders at technical and executive levels Ability to lead discovery workshops, whiteboard sessions, and architecture reviews Structured documentation and runbook authoring Mentorship of junior and mid-level engineers Decision-making under ambiguity; ability to define path forward when requirements are iplete Preferred Qualifications and Certifications 8+ years infrastructure/cloud engineering experience 3+ years in VDI/EUC environments (VMware Horizon, Citrix, or AWS WorkSpaces) AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional) HashiCorp Certified Terraform Associate VMware Certified Professional (VCP-DCV) or equivalent demonstrable experience Experience withpliance frameworks (HIPAA, PCI, SOX, FedRAMP, State

RAMP, CJIS

) VDI Migration Engineer Purpose and Scope Two engineers in this role support the Senior Architect with hands-on execution of migration tasks. They build and maintain automation, package applications, execute migration waves, and produce operational documentation under the direction of the lead. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain Terraform configurations for WorkSpaces provisioning, networking, and supporting infrastructure Build and operate CI/CD pipelines for golden image creation, patching, and deployment Write Python and PowerShell scripts for user provisioning, application installation, validation testing, and operational automation Package applications with silent-installmands (MSI, EXE switches, Chocolatey, PowerShell) Research and resolve legacy/EOL application installation challenges Execute migration waves provision WorkSpaces, validate application stacks, confirm user access Configure enterprise agents on images (EDR, proxy/zero-trust, endpoint management, log/telemetry) Implement FSx for Windows File Server configuration, ACL preservation, and backup plans Configure monitoring dashboards and alerting rules per the architecture defined by the lead Produce operational runbooks, troubleshooting guides, and KT session content Execute patching workflows (WSUS, SCCM, Ivanti, or image-rebuild model as directed) Required Technical Skills AWS WorkSpaces provisioning, bundle configuration, directory integration basics Terraform ability to write and modify modules, execute plans, manage state under guidance CI/CD experience building or maintaining pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, or AWS CodePipeline) Python scripting for automation tasks, API interactions, and data validation PowerShell Windows administration, application packaging, registry manipulation, scheduled tasks AWS services EC2, S3, IAM, CloudWatch, Systems Manager, FSx, AWS Backup Windows Server Active Directory, Group Policy, WSUS, SCCM fundamentals Application packaging silent-install creation, enterprise agent deployment, post-install configuration Required Soft Skills Clear writtenmunication for runbooks, status updates, and issue documentation Ability to work directly with customer IT staff during migration execution Attention to detail in configuration and validation tasks Willingness to troubleshoot unfamiliar application installation failures Ability to follow established procedures and escalate when encountering blockers Preferred Qualifications and Certifications 4+ years infrastructure or cloud engineering experience 1+ years working with VDI/EUC platforms AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator HashiCorp Certified Terraform Associate Experience with configuration management tools (Ansible, SCCM, Intune) Familiarity withpliance requirements in regulated environments Technology Stack Summary Technology Senior Architect Migration Engineer VMware Horizon / Omnissa Preferred Preferred AWS WorkSpaces Core Required (deep) Required (working) Terraform Required (design + review) Required (develop + execute) CI/CD (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, CodePipeline) Required (design) Required (build + maintain) Python Required (review + author) Required (primary author) PowerShell Required (review + author) Required (primary author) AWS (VPC, IAM, FSx, CloudWatch, KMS) Required (architecture) Required (implementation) Active Directory / Group Policy Required Required Networking (DX, VPN, TGW) Required Preferred Application Packaging (MSI, Chocolatey) Preferred Required Compliance (HIPAA, PCI, FedRAMP) Required (awareness) Preferred Team Interaction Model The following describes how the three roles collaborate during engagement delivery Activity Senior Architect Migration Engineer Architecture Design Owns; produces designs Provides input; implements Customer Communication Primary point of contact Supports during technical sessions Terraform / IaC Defines module structure; reviews PRs Writes and tests modules CI/CD Pipelines Defines pipeline architecture Builds and maintains pipelines Automation Scripts Reviews; authorsplex logic Primary author; unit testing App Packaging Escalation for failures Packages and validates installs Migration Execution Oversees wave plan; manages risk Executes waves; validates Documentation Reviews; owns architecture docs Writes runbooks and KT content Escalation Receives and resolves Escalates blockers to lead The Salary for this position will be 140,000 and 160,000 yearly depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans. Benefits Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off 401(k) plan and contributions Long-term/Short-term Disability Paid Parental Leave Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclaimer Thepensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law. Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.