Principal Desktop Engineer - Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Job Title: Principal Desktop Engineer – Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Location: Chicago, IL – Hybrid, Onsite 3 Days per Week
Type: Direct Hire
Our Client’s Benefits & Perks: Competitive Salary Range ($181,000 – $200,900 + Bonus Target 23–30%), comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision; generous PTO and parental leave; Tuition Reimbursement; Student Loan Repayment Assistance; 401K; and a collaborative culture that promotes employee well-being and work-life balance.

Summary
Chamberlain Advisors is seeking a Principal Desktop Engineer – End User Computing to join our client’s team at a leading equity derivatives clearing organization. In this highly visible role, you will serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for desktop engineering solutions and play a key part in shaping the enterprise end-user experience.

You will lead the architecture, automation, and optimization of the desktop environment and support future-ready EUC platforms. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, a strategic mindset, and a passion for innovation—working across business, security, and IT functions to drive reliable, secure, and seamless end-user experiences. If you are a hands-on engineering leader passionate about creating world-class desktop environments, Click Apply Now!

What You Will Be Accountable For

• Design, implement, and optimize enterprise desktop engineering solutions, acting as SME for architecture, integration, and performance
• Package and deploy applications using VMware AppStacks and similar tools
• Define technical standards and drive automation using scripting and DevOps practices
• Maintain and update Windows OS images, ensuring security, stability, and compliance
• Lead cross-functional technical projects from planning through execution
• Troubleshoot complex issues across desktop, VDI, and Office 365 environments
• Manage end-user profile settings in virtual desktops to support seamless transitions
• Collaborate with IT, Security, and Business teams to gather requirements and deliver scalable solutions
• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies aligned with strategic goals
• Address integration challenges across platforms; remove technical barriers to user productivity
• Provide on-call support as needed and document processes, decisions, and changes
• Mentor peers and contribute both tactical and strategic insight to enhance the end-user computing landscape

What Qualifications You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years in desktop engineering or end-user computing, with deep expertise in Windows environments, automation, and application deployment
• Proficient in scripting (PowerShell, Python, Terraform) and experienced with tools like VMware Horizon, AppStacks, and modern desktop management platforms
• Strong background in Office 365 support, application/system troubleshooting, and DevOps practices
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical initiatives and act as the highest-level escalation point
• Skilled at navigating fast-paced environments, managing priorities, and communicating across technical and non-technical audiences
• Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation, risk-aware architecture, and continuous improvement
• Solid understanding of enterprise security, controls, and compliance frameworks, with experience supporting audits and operating in regulated industries

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft certifications (e.g., MCSE, Microsoft 365 Certified, Windows Virtual Desktop Specialty)
• VMware Certified Professional – Desktop and Mobility (VCP-DTM)

About our Client

Our client is one of the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organizations and is a foundation for secure markets. This client operates under the jurisdiction of both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and now provides central counterparty clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms for options, financial futures, security futures, and securities lending transactions.

Why Work with Chamberlain?
Chamberlain Advisors is a veteran-owned business that provides human capital solutions through contract, contract-to-hire, direct-hire, and retained-search opportunities. Chamberlain candidates benefit from our unique hiring and interviewing process which has been designed to increase the likelihood that they will be successful in their job searches. This is achieved through our 5-step recruitment process, ensuring top-of-the-line candidate experience. Find out what makes us different; apply to Chamberlain today.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Chamberlain Advisors provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Chamberlain Advisors complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Chamberlain Advisors expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Chamberlain Advisors' employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

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