Senior Systems Engineer - VDI
Foster City, CA
Information Technology – Compute Infrastructure /
Full-time /
Hybrid
Zoox is hiring a Senior VDI & VMware Platform Engineer with deep subject matter expertise in VMware technologies, VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), Active Directory and Horizon/VDI architectures. You will serve as the technical authority for Zoox’s VMware-based Software Defined Data Center (SDDC) and enterprise virtual desktop platforms.
This role owns the architecture, scalability, performance, and operational excellence of our VMware ecosystem — enabling secure, high-performance virtual environments that support engineers, AI/ML workloads, and business operations globally.
In This Role, You Will...
- Act as the Subject Matter Expert for VMware vSphere, vSAN, VCF, Active Directory and Horizon
- Design and evolve Zoox's on-prem and hybrid cloud VMware SDDC
- Lead architecture, implementation and lifecycle of scalable Horizon based VDI infrastructure, including GPU workloads, for thousands of users
- Architect and operate enterprise VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) environments (workload domains, lifecycle, capacity, HA and DR)
- Own the health, patching, and lifecycle of the VMware stack
- Establish best practices for image management, profile handling, application layering, UX optimization, and secure remote access
- Lead VMware/Horizon automation using PowerCLI, scripting, IaC, and orchestration
- Develop repeatable SDDC/VDI deployment patterns
- Implement observability, monitoring, and proactive capacity modeling to reduce operational friction
- Author technical standards, diagrams, and operational runbooks
- Serve as complex issue escalation point and lead post-incident reviews
- Mentor engineers on VMware and Horizon
Qualifications
- Extensive hands-on experience with VMware vSphere, Horizon, vSAN, and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
- Demonstrated experience designing and operating enterprise SDDC platforms at scale
- Strong understanding of lifecycle management, cluster design, resource allocation, and high-availability strategies within VMware environments
- Proven success designing and scaling VMware Horizon environments for enterprise organizations
- Expertise in desktop image optimization, application delivery, user profile management, and performance tuning
- Demonstrated proficiency managing and troubleshooting Active Directory architectures and Windows servers fleets
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with scripting (PowerShell, Bash, Python), and orchestration tools (e.g., Aria Automation / Orchestrator, Ansible, Terraform)
- Ability to communicate architectural strategy clearly to technical teams and executive stakeholders
- Experience leading cross-functional infrastructure initiatives
$206,000 - $247,000 a year
Base Salary Range
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [email protected] or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.