Infrastructure Specialist

Senior Azure Migration & Hybrid Infrastructure ConsultantLocation: UK (Hybrid) Client: Leading Consultancy supporting a Major Transport Programme

Overview

We're supporting a flagship transport client undergoing a large-scale hybrid cloud transformation. This is not a "lift-and-shift and hope for the best" exercise. It's a complex, high-stakes migration programme where infrastructure resilience, downtime minimisation, and technical accuracy are non-negotiable.

We're looking for a hands-on consultant to lead VMware to Azure migrations, operating across hybrid estates spanning Azure, Azure Stack HCI, and Hyper-V. You'll be embedded in delivery, not sitting on the sidelines producing PowerPoints.

Key Responsibilities

Azure Migration DeliveryLead end-to-end VMware to Azure migrations using Azure Migrate across assessment, planning, replication, testing, and cutover phasesExecute migrations of large-scale VM estates into Azure, Azure Stack HCI, Azure Local, and Hyper-V environmentsConduct detailed pre-migration readiness assessments, including dependency mapping and remediation planningOwn cutover execution, providing hands-on troubleshooting during migration waves to ensure minimal service disruptionDeliver post-migration validation and optimisation, ensuring workloads are stable and aligned to Azure best practices

Hybrid Infrastructure & Virtualisation

Configure and manage Hyper-V environments, including VM provisioning, performance tuning, and storage configurationSupport and optimise Azure Stack HCI deployments, including cluster configuration and lifecycle considerationsDesign and implement high availability solutions using Windows Failover ClusteringBuild and validate HCI networking architectures, covering:vSwitch configurationVLAN segmentationIP addressing schemesNIC mapping and teamingRouting considerations

Linux & Workload Integration

Support and troubleshoot Linux workloads (RHEL, SUSE) during migration and stabilisation phasesValidate OS compatibility and perform post-migration tuning and optimisationIntegrate workloads into Azure’s hybrid management, backup, and monitoring frameworks

Required Experience

Strong hands-on expertise across VMware (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter, vSAN, VxRail)Proven track record delivering enterprise-scale VMware migrationsPractical experience using Azure Migrate in live environmentsDeep understanding of:Migration lifecycle (assessment through to cutover)Replication strategies and testing frameworksPost-migration validation and optimisationSolid experience with Hyper-V virtualisation, storage, and networkingStrong grasp of HCI networking principles (vSwitches, VLANs, IP planning, routing, NIC bonding)Comfortable operating in high-pressure cutover environments where things rarely go perfectly

Desirable Experience

Experience migrating large, complex estates using automation and bulk migration toolingExposure to Azure Arc and Azure Local for hybrid governanceKnowledge of Azure Backup, Azure Monitor, and cost/performance optimisation strategiesScripting or automation experience (PowerShell, CLI)Understanding of hybrid connectivity models (VPN, ExpressRoute) and network security principlesExperience managing Azure Stack HCI lifecycle, including firmware and hardware validationRelevant certifications across Azure, VMware, Hyper-V, or Linux