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What does a virtualization engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A virtualization engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and procedures to manage data storage and other data platforms. Among their responsibilities include performing server and platform maintenance, handling data migration, creating new tools and applications, and producing progress reports. They must also gather and analyze data to identify areas needing improvement and implement solutions against problem areas. Furthermore, as an engineer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

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Virtualization engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real virtualization engineer resumes:

  • Manage and maintain iSCSI storage systems.
  • Implement and manage 3 UCS domains with 200+ blades.
  • Install and manage SSL and VPN solutions for extranet connectivity.
  • Implement, manage and update the CRM tool to track requests.
  • Create PowerCLI scripts to automate tasks including ESXi host compliance reports and audit tracking reports.
  • Manage team SharePoint site, providing a single source for internal process documentation and training materials.
  • Configure the NAS shares from NETAPP filers.
  • Install and configure Linux servers on physical and virtual machines.
  • Expand SAN storage, troubleshoot and resolve SAN level performance issues, and interface issues.
  • Create and manage VMs, installation of VM tools, custom virtual hardware provisioning as per guest OS.
  • Design and build virtual infrastructure for packaging test/dev environment.work with other packagers to package and do a Landesk to SCCM migration.
  • Design automate scripts to improve efficiency, operational stability and operational integrity using PowerShell and PowerCLI.
  • Follow ITIL approach to drive virtualization service improvement, problem management automation through interlock with service align teams.
  • Implement and maintain collection of PowerShell scripts providing daily report functionality, enabling potential vSphere issues to be handle proactively.
  • Set up sql VM's server for backup on Veeam.

Virtualization engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Virtualization Engineers are proficient in Troubleshoot, Virtualization, and VDI. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Virtualization Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Troubleshoot, 9%

    Interacted with customers using email, telephone and ticketing system to troubleshoot and resolve issues.

  • Virtualization, 9%

    Follow ITIL approach to drive virtualization service improvement, problem management automation through interlock with service aligned teams.

  • VDI, 8%

    Participate in development and implementation of VDI related operational procedures standards for production and DR sites.

  • VSphere, 7%

    Implemented and maintained collection of PowerShell scripts providing daily report functionality, enabling potential vSphere issues to be handled proactively.

  • SAN, 7%

    Assist with the Engineering / managing a total of 20 SAN arrays along with linked FC switches and brocades.

  • PowerShell, 6%

    Develop PowerShell scripts to automate server analysis.

Most virtualization engineers use their skills in "troubleshoot," "virtualization," and "vdi" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential virtualization engineer responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a virtualization engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Virtualization engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "designed, deployed and maintained over 100 virtual center environments across 5 global datacenters using powercli automation and custom scripting. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform virtualization engineer duties is communication skills. Virtualization engineers responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Virtualization engineers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "installed ssl certificates in iis web server for a secured communication to application server. "

Problem-solving skills. virtualization engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to virtualization engineer responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." A virtualization engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "handled vmware solutions to support multiple storage connectivity options such as fiber channel-san, iscsi, nfs and nas. "

Most common virtualization engineer skills

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Compare different virtualization engineers

Virtualization engineer vs. Network technician

A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.

If we compare the average virtualization engineer annual salary with that of a network technician, we find that network technicians typically earn a $28,459 lower salary than virtualization engineers make annually.Even though virtualization engineers and network technicians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require troubleshoot, san, and linux in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a virtualization engineer are more likely to require skills like "virtualization," "vdi," "vsphere," and "powershell." On the other hand, a job as a network technician requires skills like "customer service," "routers," "lan wan," and "lan." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Network technicians tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $74,915. In contrast, virtualization engineers make the biggest average salary, $104,106, in the automotive industry.On average, network technicians reach lower levels of education than virtualization engineers. Network technicians are 5.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Virtualization engineer vs. Systems architect

A systems architect specializes in designing and developing computer networks and systems for company operations. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around conducting research and analysis to identify a company's needs, devising strategies to reach particular goals, improving existing systems, and implementing solutions for optimal processes. A systems architect must also monitor the progress of all implementations, prepare progress reports and presentations, provide technical support as needed, and train new workforce members, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including vision and mission.

On average, systems architects earn a $6,367 higher salary than virtualization engineers a year.A few skills overlap for virtualization engineers and systems architects. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "virtualization," "san," and "linux. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that virtualization engineer responsibilities requires skills like "troubleshoot," "vdi," "vsphere," and "powershell." But a systems architect might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cloud," "java," "python," and "c++."

Systems architects earn a higher average salary than virtualization engineers. But systems architects earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $116,386. Additionally, virtualization engineers earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $104,106 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Systems architects tend to reach higher levels of education than virtualization engineers. In fact, they're 9.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Virtualization engineer vs. Storage administrator

A storage administrator is typically in charge of managing and storing company data, ensuring its safety and accuracy. Their responsibilities typically revolve around devising strategies for data storage, developing and installing storage systems and back-ups, identifying errors and inconsistencies, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency and security of storage systems. Furthermore, as a storage administrator, it is essential to produce progress reports and maintain records of all transactions, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average scale, storage administrators bring in lower salaries than virtualization engineers. In fact, they earn a $4,963 lower salary per year.virtualization engineers and storage administrators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "troubleshoot," "virtualization," and "linux," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from virtualization engineer resumes include skills like "vdi," "vsphere," "san," and "powershell," whereas a storage administrator is more likely to list skills in "isilon," "vnx," "storage systems," and "disaster recovery. "

Storage administrators earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $105,117. Virtualization engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $104,106.When it comes to education, storage administrators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to virtualization engineers. In fact, they're 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Virtualization engineer vs. Systems administrator

Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.

Systems administrators average a lower salary than the annual salary of virtualization engineers. The difference is about $20,241 per year.While both virtualization engineers and systems administrators complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like troubleshoot, virtualization, and san, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "vdi," "vsphere," "uc," and "virtual infrastructure" are skills that commonly show up on virtualization engineer resumes. On the other hand, systems administrators use skills like database, technical support, unix, and java on their resumes.In general, systems administrators earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,962. The highest-paying industry for a virtualization engineer is the automotive industry.In general, systems administrators hold similar degree levels compared to virtualization engineers. Systems administrators are 3.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of virtualization engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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