Windows admin Technical Lead

About Sopra Steria
Sopra Steria, a major Tech player in Europe with 50,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, is recognised for its consulting, digital services and solutions. It helps its clients drive their digital transformation and obtain tangible and sustainable benefits. The Group provides end-to-end solutions to make large companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and innovative technologies with a collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart of everything it does and is committed to putting digital to work for its clients in order to build a positive future for all. In 2024, the Group generated revenues of €5.8 billion.
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Windows Technical Lead (Windows / VMware / MSSQL / Azure)

Job Description

Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Windows Technical Lead specializing in Windows Server, MSSQL database and cluster administration, Windows Failover Clustering, VMware virtualization, and Microsoft Azure.

Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

1. Architect and implement Windows based infrastructure, including Active Directory, Group Policy, Windows Server platforms, and integration with Azure AD / Entra ID.
2. Design and administer MSSQL environments, including clustering, Always-On Availability Groups, performance optimization, and DR strategies.
3. Build and manage Windows Failover Clusters supporting SQL Server, DFS, application servers, and other high availability workloads.
4. Architect virtualization solutions using VMware vSphere, including ESXi, vCenter, HA/DRS, vMotion, and storage integrations.
5. Design and support hybrid cloud architectures using Microsoft Azure, including:
6. Azure Compute (VMs, Scale Sets)
7. Azure Storage
8. Azure Networking (VNets, ExpressRoute, VPN Gateways, Private Link)
9. Azure SQL, Managed Instance, and hybrid connected SQL workloads
10. Azure Backup, ASR, Monitor, Log Analytics
11. Collect design requirements from stakeholders, such as business and application teams, and convert them into both functional and technical specifications.

Operations & Administration

1. Administer and optimize Windows Server and MSSQL platforms, including advanced troubleshooting, security hardening, and lifecycle management.
2. Manage VMware infrastructure operations, including host patching, VM provisioning, capacity planning, and performance tuning.
3. Operate and maintain Azure workloads, including scaling, cost optimization, monitoring, RBAC, policy enforcement, and security compliance.
4. Deploy and maintain monitoring systems for Windows, SQL, VMware, and Azure environments.
5. Support infrastructure components such as load balancers, WAFs, reverse proxies, storage arrays, and enterprise backup/replication platforms.
6. Serve as L3 escalation for Windows, SQL, VMware, and Azure infrastructure services.
7. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and take part in audit and disaster recovery (DR) efforts.
8. Ensure all solutions align with corporate security policies and standards.

Process, Governance & Collaboration

1. Develop and maintain SOPs, architectural documentation, DR runbooks, and compliance artifacts.
2. Review monthly operational and capacity reports, and make recommendations for optimization across on-premises and Azure environments.
3. Collaborate with business and application stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable technical solutions.
4. Lead automation initiatives using PowerShell, Python, Terraform, or similar tools.
5. Drive incident/problem management, root cause analysis, and prevention strategies.
6. Participate in on‑call rotations and planned implementation windows.

Skills / Qualifications

1. 9+ years of experience with Windows Server, MSSQL, and cluster-based high availability solutions.
2. Strong hands-on experience with Azure infrastructure, including virtual networks, compute, identity integrations, storage, monitoring, and SQL services.
3. Deep expertise in VMware vSphere, including virtual networking, resource management, HA/DRS, and troubleshooting.
4. Strong PowerShell skills; experience with Python, Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins, Puppet is a plus.
5. Knowledge of networking fundamentals: routing, switching, load balancing, firewalls, reverse proxies, DNS, VPN.
6. Experience with monitoring and infrastructure hardening (CIS, NIST).
7. Excellent communication, documentation, and cross regional collaboration skills.
8. Customer first mindset and ability to handle complex, high pressure situations.

Total Experience Expected: 06-08 years

B.E./ B.Tech./ MCA

Requires 24*7 Rotational shift including night shift as per business needs. Requires availability outside business hours On-call / standby on weekday/weekend

At our organization, we are committed to fighting against all forms of discrimination. We foster a work environment that is inclusive and respectful of all differences.

All of our positions are open to people with disabilities.