Azure Virtual Desktop Engineer
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£41,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
Our predicted code SOC 3132 (72% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £41,700, and Cognitive Group | Part of the Focus Cloud Group is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the published rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
About the role
About the Company
As an Azure Virtual Desktop / Windows 365 Engineer, you will be part of the Azure Cloud Solutions capability and you will design, build and support secure virtual desktop platforms for our customers. This is an urgent requirement to support a UK Government department onboarding users at pace onto a secured remote access solution, so we are looking for someone who can join quickly and be productive from day one. The solution combines Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop with Microsoft Entra ID, Global Secure Access and Conditional Access, delivered over Azure Virtual WAN with site to site connectivity to internal and partner networks. You will work alongside our architects, platform engineers and the client's service teams.
About the Role
As an Azure Virtual Desktop / Windows 365 Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, building, and operating secure virtual desktop platforms.
Responsibilities
- Design, build and operate Azure Virtual Desktop host pools and Windows 365 Cloud PCs
- Onboard users at pace, including provisioning policies, assignment and user acceptance
- Build and maintain golden images, app packaging and image update pipelines
- Configure FSLogix profile containers, storage and session host scaling
- Implement secure remote access using Global Secure Access and Conditional Access policies
- Configure network connectivity across Azure Virtual WAN, site to site VPN and private endpoints
- Manage device and policy configuration through Microsoft Intune
- Apply UK Government security standards, hardening baselines and access controls
- Monitor, troubleshoot and tune desktop performance and user experience
- Automate build and configuration tasks using PowerShell and Infrastructure as Code
- Produce operational documentation and handover material for support teams
- Work directly with client stakeholders and incumbent suppliers
Qualifications
- 5+ years hands on experience with Microsoft virtual desktop and endpoint technologies
- Security Cleared (GOV UK)
- Proven experience delivering large scale AVD or Windows 365 rollouts
- Experience scaling virtual desktop estates to meet growing user demand
- Experience working within regulated or public sector environments
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- Confident in client facing and consulting situations
- Good written and spoken English
- Holding or working towards Azure certifications, in particular AZ-140
Required Skills
- Azure Virtual Desktop: host pools, session hosts, application groups and workspaces
- Windows 365 Cloud PC provisioning and lifecycle management
- Microsoft Entra ID, Conditional Access and Multi Factor Authentication
- Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access and Private Network Connector
- Microsoft Intune and Endpoint Manager
- FSLogix profile containers and Azure Files
- Golden image management and application packaging
- Azure networking: Virtual WAN, site to site VPN, private endpoints and DNS
- Azure Bastion and secure administrative access patterns
- Windows Server and Windows 11 Enterprise administration
- PowerShell scripting and automation
- Azure Monitor, Log Analytics and KQL
Preferred Skills
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) design and implementation
- Bicep or Terraform for automated deployment
- Nerdio Manager or similar AVD management tooling
- Citrix or VMware Horizon migration experience
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Defender for Cloud
- Experience of NCSC guidance and UK Government security classifications
- GitHub Copilot and modern developer tooling
Pay range and compensation package
Outside IR35 – rate dependent on experience. Candidate must have full right to work in the UK – no sponsorship is available.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Cognitive Group | Part of the Focus Cloud Group, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 3132 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~158k in sampleSimilar sponsored roles
See all jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Cognitive Group | Part of the Focus Cloud GroupAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Cognitive Group | Part of the Focus Cloud Group holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 3132 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.