This role will work a hybrid schedule coming into the Columbus, Ohio office 2 days per week on Mondays & Wednesdays.
We are looking for a Lead Windows Server Engineer to join our Core Infrastructure Windows Server Engineering team. In this role, you will provide technical leadership for the design, build, and lifecycle management of Windows Server images and pipelines across on-premises, AWS, and Azure.
You will drive self-service capabilities for all phases of the infrastructure lifecycle (provisioning, operations, decommissioning), lead the engineering work for Windows Server images, and mentor engineers across the Core Infrastructure organization.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the technical lead for Windows Server image engineering, developing the strategy, design, build, and maintenance of images used on-premises, in AWS, and in Azure.
Lead the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, Concourse) that build, test, harden, and publish Windows Server images and related artifacts.
Define and maintain infrastructure-as-code patterns for Windows Server images and deployments using tools such as Packer, JSON/YAML templates, and associated automation frameworks.
Establish and maintain technical roadmaps for Windows Server image management and pipelines, partnering closely with architecture and security to improve standardization, security posture, and supportability.
Enable and expand self-service capabilities for internal customers consuming Windows Server images and pipelines (e.g., catalog, templates, workflows, and automation hooks).
Provide hands-on technical guidance and mentoring to other engineers, including pair programming, code reviews, and training sessions on PowerShell, CI/CD practices, and infrastructure automation.
Integrate Windows Server automation with RESTful APIs (internal and vendor), enabling orchestration across platforms, tools, and services.
Collaborate with peer teams (network, firewall, storage, database, security, identity, cloud operations) to ensure Windows Server builds meet requirements for connectivity, security, compliance, and observability.
Partner with operations to ensure images and pipelines support monitoring, patching, vulnerability remediation, and audit requirements, and evolve as standards and controls change (e.g., CIS, PCI, PII, internal policies).
Participate in and help lead process design and improvement efforts across teams for technical components and services related to Windows Server and automation.
Provide escalation support for complex incidents, production outages, and high-priority requests related to Windows Server platforms, images, and automation.
Participate in on-call rotation, helping to ensure stability, performance, and reliability for Windows Server environments.
Contribute to and help lead a Community of Practice focused on Windows, automation, and infrastructure as code, sharing patterns, standards, and best practices across the organization.
Required Skills and Experience
Technical Leadership & Windows Platform
Extensive knowledge and experience with Microsoft Windows Server OS (multiple versions) with a strong emphasis on designing and building enterprise-scale deployments.
Proven experience acting as a technical lead: setting direction, breaking down work, assigning and reviewing tasks, and coaching other engineers.
Deep understanding of Windows Server image management (on-prem and cloud), including image creation, hardening, lifecycle management, and distribution.
Strong working knowledge of images, GPOs, secure configuration, and the ability to troubleshoot and support ancillary processes such as patching, vulnerability management, and audit in partnership with peer teams.
Extensive experience with infrastructure automation and enabling self-service provisioning and operations for infrastructure consumers.
Automation, Scripting, and CI/CD
Extensive hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines using tools such as GitHub Actions and/or Concourse to build, test, and deploy Windows Server images and configurations.
Strong experience with Packer and infrastructure-as-code patterns using JSON and YAML for defining server images and infrastructure templates.
Extensive PowerShell expertise, including the ability to:
Design and build robust, reusable modules and scripts.
Automate operational tasks, server builds, and configuration.
Teach and guide others in PowerShell best practices.
Strong knowledge of PowerCLI for automating VMware-based infrastructures.
Extensive experience working with RESTful APIs, including authentication, error handling, and integration into automation workflows and pipelines.
Strong knowledge in Python, particularly in the context of automation, tooling, and integration with APIs and platforms.
Extensive automation and scripting experience overall; software development experience is an acceptable alternative if it includes significant automation and tooling work.
Platform, Networking, and Storage
Solid understanding of network and firewall requirements for server builds, including ports, protocols, load balancing, and security zoning.
Understanding of physical and virtual storage concepts and how they apply to Windows Server builds (e.g., block, file, and object storage integration, performance considerations, and resilience).
Experience designing and supporting high availability (HA) solutions for Windows Server, such as clustering and related technologies.
Ways of Working and Process
Demonstrated use of change management controls and processes in a large enterprise environment.
Experience working within teams utilizing Agile and Lean principles, including iterative delivery, backlog management, and continuous improvement.
Ability to create and maintain automation for deployments and operational processes as part of standard ways of working (not one-off scripts).
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated knowledge of AWS and Azure in an enterprise Windows context, including support and/or installation of Windows-based workloads in both clouds.
Certifications such as AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals.
Working knowledge of VMware Aria Automation (formerly vRealize Automation) or comparable products.
Working knowledge of Ansible AWX and/or CloudBolt (or similar automation/orchestration platforms).
Experience with or exposure to:
HPE ProLiant/Synergy hardware
VMware vSphere and associated tools
Linux (primarily RHEL) in mixed Windows/Linux environments
Block storage (e.g., Pure Storage)
File storage (e.g., Dell EMC Isilon, Cohesity SmartFiles)
Object storage (e.g., Dell EMC ECS)
Backup platforms (e.g., Cohesity DataProtect)
Prior experience leading and supporting a Community of Practice or similar practitioner group.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to proofs of concept (PoCs) and new technology evaluations in partnership with peer teams.
Communication and Leadership Expectations
Ability to provide executive-level presence and communication, including clear, concise updates and recommendations for leadership.
Ability to manage conversations with customers, vendors, and leaders for both day-to-day activities and during projects, major incidents, and production outages.
Proven experience establishing and contributing to cross-team processes for technical components and services (e.g., build standards, image lifecycle, automation workflows).
Seen as a leader in technology with the ability to:
Teach and mentor others.
Influence use cases, designs, and standards.
Balance business support needs, regulatory requirements (e.g., PCI, PII), and technical robustness.
Contribute to and curate technical knowledge management (runbooks, patterns, documentation).
Ability to thrive in a team environment that is growing and changing quickly as services and platforms evolve.
Environment and Scope
In this role, you will be working in a large, hybrid enterprise environment that includes:
Support for over 2,500 Windows servers.
Over 22,000 users across multiple business units.
A hybrid footprint consisting of on-premises infrastructure and multiple external cloud offerings (AWS, Azure, and others).
Direct support for various business applications, including packaged software and internally developed solutions.
Monitoring and observability using tools such as SCOM and related platforms.
Participation in a support on-call rotation for Windows Server and related automation services.
Day-to-day responsibility to solve and manage walk-ups, cases, and prioritized work, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication.
Within Core Infrastructure, you will be part of a dynamic team of engineers working across compute, virtualization, storage, network, and automation to deliver reliable, secure, and self-service-oriented infrastructure services to the enterprise.
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Job Description Summary
If you’re enthusiastic about delivering secure technology solutions to support a company providing extraordinary care to its customers, then Nationwide Technology is the place for you. Nationwide's industry-leading technology workforce embraces an agile work environment and a collaborative culture to deliver outstanding solutions and results. If that sounds like something you aspire to, we want to hear from you!Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
Collaborates with Technology Architecture professionals to develop technology product roadmaps.
Responsible for applying secure software and systems engineering practices throughout the delivery lifecycle to ensure our data and technology solutions are protected from threats and vulnerabilities.
Designs and implements standard builds/templates for all technology platforms.
Drives product improvements through optimization, enhancements and the implementation of new features and functions.
Works continuously with other Technology Engineering teams and Technology Architecture to ensure the success of products.
Conducts “proof of concept” labs for enhancements, new solutions and competitive bake-offs.
Designs standard and custom technology solutions for business partner projects, including pre- production testing, performance tuning, handoffs and certification.
Conducts proactive and reactive monitoring to detect, predict and resolve abnormal conditions in the environment.
Collaborates with vendors to help drive design innovation in product enhancements and improvements.
Executes on production engineering processes, incident management, root cause analysis, problem management, change management, release management and knowledge management.
Provides complex production support for all technology platforms.
Provides oversight for technical labs and development environments.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Reporting Relationships: Reports to AVP, Director or Manager Technology Engineering Manager/Technology Product Manager.
Typical Skills and Experiences:
Education: Undergraduate studies in computer science, management information systems or a related field is preferred.
License/Certification/Designation: Technology certifications or designation are not required, but encouraged (i.e., AWS, Azure, scripting and development languages, delivery methods, security).
Experience: Six years or more experience with the most complex integrated solutions with an ability to design and develop and modify new and existing solutions for specialized needs. Experience with multiple technologies and within one or more domains. Experience with automation of deployment of solution configurations. Experience in training/guiding less experienced staff. Experience with solutions: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS and package solutions.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Strong communication skills, knowledge of planning, management and execution of Accelerated Solutions Deliver framework, Information Security acumen. Influencing, negotiating and priority setting needed. Insurance/financial services industry knowledge a plus.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the Vice President and HR Business Partner.
Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.
Job Conditions:
Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not Eligible)
Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Some travel maybe required.
ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.
Benefits
We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.
Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.
NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:
We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.The national salary range for Consultant, Technology Engineer : $118,000.00-$222,000.00The expected starting salary range for Consultant, Technology Engineer : $118,000.00 - $178,000.00