PGTEK ยท 1 month ago
VMware vDefend Security Engineer (SME) - Top Secret clearance
PGTEK is a consulting organization dedicated to helping clients achieve their business and technology objectives. The VMware vDefend Security Engineer will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting the Department of State's secure on-premise environment, focusing on designing, deploying, and optimizing VMware vDefend and associated security technologies.
Information Technology & Services
Responsibilities
Lead design and deployment of VMware vDefend solutions to meet Department of State requirements
Develop architecture plans for threat protection, segmentation, distributed firewalling, and monitoring
Integrate vDefend capabilities with existing VMware and security infrastructure
Configure and optimize vDefend and NSX firewall rulesets (north-south and east-west)
Implement advanced threat protection policies and defensive security measures
Apply micro-segmentation strategies to protect virtual workloads and sensitive data
Ensure compliance with DoS security standards and federal cybersecurity frameworks
Design, deploy, and manage AVI load balancing services for mission-critical applications
Configure virtual services, health checks, policies, and HA settings
Integrate AVI with vDefend and other VMware components to support secure application delivery
Assess and enhance the security posture of the on-prem VMware environment
Implement infrastructure hardening, vulnerability reduction, and secure configuration controls
Troubleshoot complex security, networking, and virtualization issues across the environment
Produce architecture diagrams, design documents, configuration guides, and operational SOPs
Provide knowledge transfer and technical mentorship to government IT/security personnel
Support stakeholder discussions, technical recommendations, and solution briefings
Qualification
Required
Hands-on expertise with VMware vDefend security technologies
Strong knowledge of vDefend firewalling, advanced threat protection, tenant-level security, and north-south/east-west security
Experience with AVI (NSX Advanced Load Balancer) deployment and configuration
Background in infrastructure security, micro-segmentation, and virtualized networking
Ability to design, deploy, and validate enterprise VMware security solutions in a secure federal environment
Excellent troubleshooting and diagnostic skills across VMware, security, and network domains
Security+ (meets DoD 8570 baseline requirements)
VMware Certified Professional (VCP) in a relevant track (e.g., VCP-DCV, VCP-NV)
Active Top Secret clearance (required on day one)
Ability to work onsite in Alexandria, VA, with occasional travel to Springfield, VA
Strong communication and documentation skills
Preferred
Experience supporting federal or air-gapped environments preferred
Benefits
Comprehensive PPO medical coverage with access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) option
A vision plan
Dental insurance with the base dental plan option paid for by PGTEK
Life Insurance
Short and Long-Term disability
Critical Illness insurance have premiums covered
Matching 401(k) plan
Discount on pet insurance through ASPCA Pet Insurance
Employee Assistance Program is available at no cost to all employees
Generous amount of PTO and Holidays
Education Assistance Program is available after 12 months of employment