Enterprise Compute Tower Lead (Windows & Linux Infrastructure)

Location: Des Moines, IA - Hybrid (3 days work from office)

Experience: 11- 15+ years

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*

Key Responsibilities

Tower Leadership & Service Delivery

• Own the overall delivery and operational performance of the Enterprise Compute Tower.
• Lead Windows and Linux infrastructure support teams across multiple support tiers.
• Manage SLA, KPI, availability, capacity, compliance, and operational excellence objectives.
• Act as the primary escalation point for critical compute-related issues.
• Drive service quality, customer satisfaction, and operational stability.
• Lead customer governance meetings, operational reviews, and executive reporting.

Windows & Linux Infrastructure Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations of:
• Windows Server Infrastructure
• Linux Server Infrastructure
• Virtual Machines
• Physical Servers
• Hybrid Cloud Compute Platforms
• Ensure high availability and optimal performance of enterprise computing environments.
• Manage operating system lifecycle activities including:
• Installation
• Configuration
• Upgrades
• Patch Management
• Security Hardening
• Decommissioning
• Ensure standardization across enterprise server environments.
  

Server Operations & Administration

Windows Environment

• Windows Server 2016 / 2019 / 2022
• Active Directory
• Group Policy
• DNS
• DHCP
• IIS
• PowerShell Automation
• Failover Clustering

Linux Environment

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
• Rocky Linux
• Oracle Linux
• Ubuntu
• SUSE Linux
• Shell Scripting
• Ansible Automation
• Linux Security Administration

Virtualization & Cloud Infrastructure

• Manage enterprise virtualization platforms including:
• VMware vSphere
• VMware ESXi
• VMware vCenter
• Hyper-V
• Support cloud-hosted workloads across:
• Microsoft Azure
• AWS
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Lead cloud migration and workload modernization initiatives.
• Ensure optimal resource utilization and cost optimization.
  

Incident, Problem & Change Management

• Lead resolution of Priority 1 and Priority 2 incidents impacting compute services.
• Participate in Major Incident Management activities.
• Drive Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Problem Management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Change Management processes.
• Review and approve high-risk infrastructure changes.
• Participate in Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings.

Capacity, Availability & Performance Management

• Define and implement capacity planning strategies.
• Monitor utilization trends and forecast future resource requirements.
• Ensure compliance with availability targets.
• Drive performance optimization initiatives across server environments.
• Maintain infrastructure health dashboards and scorecards.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure server security compliance with organizational standards.
• Lead vulnerability remediation and security patching programs.
• Partner with Cyber Security teams to address risks and audit findings.
• Support regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Implement CIS, NIST, and industry-standard hardening practices.

Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive infrastructure automation initiatives using:
• PowerShell
• Ansible
• Terraform
• Python
• Azure Automation
• Reduce manual effort through orchestration and self-healing solutions.
• Improve operational efficiency through automation and standardization.
• Identify service improvement opportunities and execute transformation initiatives.
  

Asset & CMDB Governance

• Ensure server assets and configuration items are accurately maintained in CMDB.
• Drive configuration compliance and infrastructure inventory accuracy.
• Support Asset Management and Configuration Management processes.
• Ensure relationships between infrastructure components are maintained and documented.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Lead a team of Windows and Linux administrators, engineers, and technical leads.
• Manage staffing, workload distribution, and resource planning.
• Conduct technical mentoring and capability development initiatives.
• Establish operational standards and best practices.
• Develop succession and cross-skilling plans across teams.

Required Technical Skills

Windows Technologies

• Windows Server Administration
• Active Directory
• Group Policy Management
• DNS / DHCP
• PowerShell
• IIS
• Windows Clustering

Linux Technologies

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
• Oracle Linux
• Ubuntu
• SUSE Linux
• Shell Scripting
• Linux Security & Hardening
• Performance Tuning

Virtualization

• VMware vSphere
• ESXi
• vCenter
• Hyper-V

Cloud Platforms

• Microsoft Azure
• AWS
• GCP

Automation

• PowerShell
• Ansible
• Terraform
• Python
• Git

Monitoring & ITSM

• ServiceDesk Plus
• ServiceNow
• SolarWinds
• PRTG
• Nagios
• Dynatrace
• Splunk

Preferred Skills

• Windows and Linux Migration Projects
• Cloud Modernization Programs
• Data Center Consolidation
• Disaster Recovery Planning
• Enterprise Monitoring Solutions
• Power BI Reporting
• AI-Ops and Infrastructure Automation

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
• VMware VCP
• Azure Administrator Associate
• AWS Solutions Architect Associate
• ITIL Foundation
• Terraform Associate
• Ansible Automation Certification

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Operational KPIs

• Server Availability (%)
• SLA Achievement (%)
• Critical Incident Reduction
• MTTR Improvement
• Patch Compliance (%)
• Backup Success Rate (%)

Service Excellence KPIs

• Problem Resolution Effectiveness
• Capacity Forecast Accuracy
• Security Compliance Score
• Change Success Rate
• Automation Benefits Realization
• Customer Satisfaction (CSAT)

Governance KPIs

• Asset Accuracy (%)
• CMDB Compliance (%)
• Audit Findings Closure Rate
• Vulnerability Remediation Compliance

Applications will be accepted until 8/31/2026

The annual salary for this position is between $119,000- $137,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and is subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contribution
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

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