Data Center Engineer / Architect

Hampton, Virginia

Top Secret w/ SCI

On-site only

Information Technology

Overview

GovCIO is currently hiring for Data Center Engineer to support a moderinization effort. This position is located in Hampton, VA and will be a fully onsite position.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a seasoned Data Center Architect to lead the planning, design, and execution of large‑scale data center migration projects. This role is responsible for creating migration strategies that reduce risk and downtime while ensuring strong scalability, performance, and security. The ideal candidate has deep expertise across data center infrastructure, virtualization, storage, networking, and cloud integration, and thrives in fast‑paced, transformation‑focused environments.

• Design and lead end-to-end data center migration strategies, including on-premises to on-premises transitions, data center consolidations, and hybrid or cloud-adjacent migrations.

• Assess current data center environments, dependencies, and risks to create detailed migration roadmaps and execution plans.

• Architect target-state data center designs that align with business objectives, security standards, and compliance requirements.

• Collaborate closely with infrastructure, network, storage, security, and application teams to coordinate and execute migration activities.

• Establish standards, best practices, and architectural frameworks to support ongoing data center operations and future scalability.

• Lead technical decision-making across virtualization platforms, storage solutions, networking architectures, backup strategies, and disaster recovery planning.

• Oversee migration execution, including cutover planning, validation activities, and post-migration optimization.

• Identify and mitigate performance, availability, data integrity, and security risks throughout the migration lifecycle.

• Produce comprehensive documentation such as architecture diagrams, runbooks, migration plans, and operational handoff materials.

• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineering and operations teams.

• Investigates the technical capabilities of company services and competing equipment and/or solutions.

• Stays abreast of developments in hardware and software.

• Generates quantifiable requirements based on customer description, system planning and design, and ensures requirements comply through formal verification methods.

• Translates high level product development strategies into network and system requirement specifications and works with other engineering disciplines to develop lower-level detailed implementation requirements.

• Establishes and coordinates development of standards, practices, and procedures as related to the network and system development.

• Designs interfaces and brings network and system elements together so they work as a whole.

• Assesses performance using evaluation criteria and technical performance measures.

• Provides customer liaison and support for business development activities and to understand and shape requirements.

• Coordinates the planning, design, and installation of equipment, using knowledge of engineering and programming as well as sophisticated instruments and computers.

• Participates in system conceptual design and documentation of the design concepts.

• Designs, creates, and builds network services, equipment and devices.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree with 12+ yrs experience

• Clearance Required: Top Secret/SCI

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in data center infrastructure, including compute, storage, and networking

• Strong understanding of virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V, KVM, etc.)

• Proficiency in designing and executing large-scale data center migrations

• Knowledge of cloud platforms and hybrid/cloud-adjacent architectures

• Experience with storage architectures (SAN, NAS, object storage)

• Advanced networking knowledge, including routing, switching, firewalls, and load balancing

• Familiarity with backup, recovery, and disaster recovery strategies

• Strong understanding of security frameworks, compliance requirements, and risk mitigation

• Ability to develop architectural standards, frameworks, and documentation

• Experience with automation and orchestration tools (PowerShell, Ansible, etc.)

• Proficiency in dependency mapping, workload analysis, and capacity planning

• DoD 8140 IAT Level II certification (Security+ CE,CCNA-Security,CySA+,CND)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills

• Excellent communication and cross-team collaboration skills

• Ability to lead technical teams and provide mentorship

• Experience with DOD Networks (NIPR, SIPR, JWICS)

• Experience working in fast-paced, transformation-driven environments

Posted Salary Range

USD $230,000.00 - USD $240,000.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.

But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?

What You Can Expect

Interview & Hiring Process

If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:

• During the Interview Process

• Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team

• Camera must be on

• A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview

• During the Hiring Process

• Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening

• Background check, to include:

• Criminal history (past 7 years)

• Verification of your highest level of education

• Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application

Employee Perks

At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well-being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Corporate Discounts

• Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content

• Training, Education and Certification Assistance*

• Referral Bonus Program

• Internal Mobility Program

• Pet Insurance

• Flexible Work Environment

*Available to full-time employees

Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.

Posted Pay Range

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.