Principal Desktop Engineer
$159,000–$272,000 year
HybridDistrict of Columbia, United States
Job Summary
Lead the design, build, and operation of enterprise endpoint platforms by defining the desktop engineering roadmap, establishing technical standards for Windows and macOS, and driving modernization initiatives like zero-touch provisioning and OS migrations. Serve as the highest technical escalation point for complex endpoint issues while managing a distributed team of 25 engineers to oversee VDI, security posture, and deployment reliability. Oversee large-scale programs including hardware refreshes and software rollouts, ensuring operational excellence through rigorous testing, KPI tracking, and vendor management. This hands-on engineering leader co-owns the evolution of end-user computing strategy to improve resilience and performance across a hybrid workforce.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
- 10+ years in IT engineering
- 5+ years in enterprise desktop or end‐user computing roles
- leadership responsibilities
- Deep, hands‐on knowledge of Windows and macOS in large enterprise environments
- OS deployment, imaging, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management
- Expert‐level experience with Microsoft SCCM/MECM
- software distribution, patching, compliance, and co‐management models
- Expert‐level experience with Microsoft Intune
- Strong understanding of virtual desktop technologies (e.g., Citrix, VMware Horizon, Azure Virtual Desktop)
- Proven ability to automate endpoint operations using PowerShell, Python, or similar scripting
- support for zero touch‐touch provisioning and configuration management
- Solid understanding of endpoint security best practices (encryption, EDR, identity, hardening)
- desktop‐relevant networking concepts (LAN/Wi‐Fi, VPN, DNS/DHCP)
- Demonstrated experience leading enterprise testing strategies
- pilot programs
- vendor technical evaluations
- POCs and data‐driven recommendations for platform and tooling decisions
- Leadership experience supporting thousands of endpoints across multiple locations and hybrid work models
- Direct experience with Windows 365 Cloud PC
- Autopilot
- Intune‐first strategies
- major OS migrations (e.g., Windows 10 to 11)
- A track record of improving end‐user experience through automation, analytics, or modern support models
Desired Qualifications
- Regulated Industry Background
- Experience in financial services or similarly regulated environments
- strong compliance and availability requirements
- Vendor & Financial Management
- Experience managing OEMs, software vendors, and service providers
- budgeting, licensing optimization, and contract oversight
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