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Virtualization Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Virtualization Engineer III - TS/SCI Clearance Required - JBSA Lackland - San Antonio, TX The Virtualization Engineer III serves as the senior virtualization subject matter expert responsible for the ...

The field engineer acts as a generalist across servers, virtualization, operating systems ... networking, storage, and application deployment. Much of the work follows standardized deployment ...

The field engineer acts as a generalist across servers, virtualization, operating systems ... networking, storage, and application deployment. Much of the work follows standardized deployment ...

Role: Network Engineer Location: Chicago IL * 10+ years experience in network engineering ... virtualization, storage, storage networking virtualization/zoning, load-balancers and network ...

Field Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$50 - $52.50/hr

The field engineer acts as a generalist across servers, virtualization, operating systems, networking, storage, and application deployment. Much of the work follows standardized deployment procedures ...

VMware Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$55 - $57/hr

... Engineer to support a large-scale virtualization environment with 5,000+ VMs. This role will focus ... Troubleshoot virtualization, storage, networking, and cloud connectivity issues. Configure and ...

Server Virtualization and Cloud: * Administer and maintain server virtualization environments using ... Minimum 5 years of experience in network engineering, administration, or a related role in a mid-to ...

Network Support Engineer

Niles, IL · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Server Virtualization and Cloud: * Administer and maintain server virtualization environments using ... Minimum 5 years of experience in network engineering, administration, or a related role in a mid-to ...

Contractor's Role: - Support Engineering and Operations of Citrix VDI and W365 virtualization environments - Lead and participate on engineering projects on VDI Team Qualifications (must haves ...

Cloud and Automation Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57.50 - $76.75/hr

Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues that span cloud, virtualization, storage, networking, and ... Embed SRE principles and engineering practices into how systems are built and how the team works ...

Cloud and Automation Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$57.50 - $76.75/hr

Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues that span cloud, virtualization, storage, networking, and ... Embed SRE principles and engineering practices into how systems are built and how the team works ...

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Virtualization Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$61

$90

How much do virtualization engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for virtualization engineer in Chicago, IL is $61.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50.82 and $70.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a virtualization engineer?

A Virtualization Engineer is an IT professional who designs, implements, manages, and supports virtualization technologies such as servers, storage, and networks. They work with platforms like VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM to create and maintain virtual environments that optimize hardware utilization and improve scalability. Their responsibilities include configuring virtual machines, troubleshooting performance issues, and ensuring the security and reliability of the virtual infrastructure. Virtualization Engineers play a key role in modern data centers and cloud computing environments.

What is a virtualization engineer?

A virtualization engineer manages data storage, server resources, and other virtual computing platforms. You perform a variety of functions, including data migration, virtual machine set-up and training, troubleshooting end-user problems, and designing assessment tools for storage and visualization applications. Qualifications for the job include a variety of career experience, skills, and education. You should have a bachelor’s degree in statistics, data science, or IT systems, along with several years of work in the field. Strong analytical qualities, attention to detail, and ability to be a team player are all important.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a virtualization engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Virtualization Engineer, you need expertise in server virtualization technologies, systems administration, and a solid understanding of networking, typically backed by a degree in computer science or related certifications like VMware Certified Professional (VCP) or Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator. Familiarity with tools such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix, and automation scripts is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help in troubleshooting complex environments and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring reliable, scalable, and secure virtual infrastructure that supports organizational IT needs.

What are some typical challenges a virtualization engineer faces when managing large-scale virtual environments?

Virtualization Engineers often encounter challenges such as resource allocation issues, ensuring high availability, and maintaining optimal performance across numerous virtual machines. Troubleshooting performance bottlenecks and preventing VM sprawl require careful monitoring and proactive management. Additionally, coordinating with network and storage teams to address dependencies and security concerns is a critical part of the role. Staying current with evolving virtualization technologies and best practices helps address these challenges effectively.

What is the difference between Virtualization Engineer vs Cloud Engineer?

AspectVirtualization EngineerCloud Engineer
CertificationsVMware, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, Cisco CCNAAWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
Work EnvironmentData centers, on-premises infrastructure, virtualization platformsCloud platforms, hybrid environments, cloud service providers
Industry UsageIT infrastructure, data centers, enterprise networksCloud services, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS deployments

While both roles involve managing IT infrastructure, Virtualization Engineers focus on creating and maintaining virtual environments within data centers, whereas Cloud Engineers design and implement cloud-based solutions across public, private, or hybrid clouds. The roles often overlap in skills like virtualization and networking but differ in scope and deployment environments.

Infographic showing various Virtualization Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,724 per year, or $61.4 per hour.

Virtualization Engineer III

IPSecure

Chicago, IL • On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Virtualization Engineer III – TS/SCI Clearance Required – JBSA Lackland - San Antonio, TXJob Description

The Virtualization Engineer III serves as the senior virtualization subject matter expert responsible for the design, implementation, administration, sustainment, and modernization of enterprise virtualization platforms supporting the Department of the Air Force's Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) Weapon Systems. The position ensures highly available, secure, and resilient virtual infrastructure supporting 24x7 cyber operations while maintaining compliance with DoD cybersecurity requirements, RMF, and DISA STIGs.

Job Responsibilities
  • Design, deploy, configure, and maintain enterprise VMware virtualization environments.
  • Administer clusters, resource pools, distributed switches, and virtual networking.
  • Manage virtual machine lifecycle including provisioning, migration, optimization, and decommissioning.
  • Support IaaS and PaaS environments.
  • Recommend architecture improvements that enhance scalability, resiliency, and performance.
  • Maintain highly available virtualization platforms.
  • Perform upgrades, lifecycle management, backup, recovery, replication, disaster recovery validation, and performance monitoring.
  • Support storage integration and capacity optimization.
  • Implement DISA STIG-compliant configurations.
  • Support RMF, A&A, vulnerability remediation, POA&M activities, and audit readiness.
  • Respond to outages, support maintenance windows, COOP exercises, and mission travel.
  • Develop automation using PowerCLI, PowerShell, Python, or similar scripting tools.
  • Support Checklist-as-Code and enterprise modernization initiatives.
Basic Qualifications

Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline. Equivalent experience may be substituted.

Certification: CASP+, CCNP Security, CCSP, GCIA, GCED, GCIH, or Legacy VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

Experience:
  • Minimum of 8 years of enterprise virtualization engineering experience.
  • Experience supporting VMware enterprise environments and DoD/Federal infrastructure.
  • Experience with VMware vSphere/vCenter, ESXi, HA, DRS, vMotion, SAN/NAS storage, disaster recovery, cloud integration, and performance tuning.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience administering Windows and Linux systems supporting Department of the Air Force DCO systems or comparable 24x7 DoD mission environments.
  • Hands‑on experience with Active Directory, VMware, Group Policy, enterprise patching, workstation imaging, endpoint management, backup and recovery, and PowerShell or Bash automation.
  • Demonstrated experience implementing DISA STIGs and supporting RMF, A&A, vulnerability remediation, POA&M management, privileged-access reviews, COOP testing, and audit‑readiness activities.
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Unlimited Vacation
  • Sick Leave
  • Paid Federal Holidays
  • Education and Certification Reimbursement Program
  • 401(k) retirement plan with safe harbor employer match after 3 months
  • Prepaid Legal Plan and Identity Protection Plan available
  • Accident Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance available
EEOC Statement

IPSecure does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

IPSecure is an Equal Opportunity Affiantive Action Employer.

EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. IPSecure is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.
EEO Is The Law

Disability Accessibility Accommodation

If you have a disability and require assistance with our online application process, please tell us how we can help.
E-mail hr@ipsecureinc.com or call 210-877-1111.

Note:

Pay Transparency - The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

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