Senior Storage Engineer

The Senior Storage Engineer - File (NFS) and Hybrid Cloud is a hands-on role responsible for engineering and delivering enterprise storage solutions across file storage (primary), hybrid cloud file services (primary), block storage (secondary), and SAN connectivity (supporting). This role is 70-90% hands-on keyboard and is accountable for both engineering (standards, architectures, observability, automation, governance) and delivery (EoL replacements, migrations, performance improvements, and implementation execution).

An MSP-led operations team performs day-to-day BAU operational duties; this role provides technical direction, engineering guardrails, and governance, and partners closely with operations for clean handoffs. There is no formal on-call rotation at this time; however, the role is expected to join P1/P2 severity calls when they occur and serve as a senior escalation SME for complex issues. This role is ideal for an engineer who can design the right patterns and then deliver the work, creating repeatable methods and standards that scale through MSP operations.

The candidate will have responsibilities across the following functions:

Engineering and Architecture (Balanced with Delivery):

• Define and maintain reference architectures, engineering standards, and operational guardrails for file, hybrid, block, and SAN-related storage services.
• Design storage services to meet business requirements for availability, resiliency, performance, security, and recoverability across Windows and Linux workloads.
• Partner with network, compute, security, and data centre teams to ensure end-to- end storage connectivity and performance (IP and SAN where applicable).
• Provide technical governance and oversight for MSP operations, ensuring support processes, runbooks, monitoring, and changes align with engineering standards.

Delivery and Execution (EoL, Migrations, Performance):

• Lead hands-on delivery for EoL refresh and replacement initiatives (hardware/software lifecycle), including planning, validation, cutover execution, and rollback readiness.
• Plan and execute file migrations and consolidations using supported tools and repeatable methodologies to minimise downtime and risk; develop playbooks/templates to scale delivery.
• Drive performance troubleshooting and optimisation for file services and hybrid patterns using data-driven analysis (latency/IOPS/throughput/utilization); implement corrective and preventative improvements.
• Identify and deliver pragmatic standards and automation improvements to reduce engineering cycle time and increase operational reliability (repeatable provisioning/configuration/reporting).

Enterprise File Storage Engineering (Primary Focus - NFS):

• Engineer and optimise enterprise file storage services with a primary emphasis on NFS (and multiprotocol where required): exports/shares, snapshots, replication, tiering, quotas, upgrades, and lifecycle management.
• Troubleshoot file access and performance issues across the full stack (client OS, network path, storage platform) and implement durable fixes that reduce recurrence.
• Deliver and document file service standards and patterns that are supportable by MSP operations (naming, export policies, snapshot/replication tiers, and monitoring expectations).

Hybrid Cloud File Services (Primary Focus - Net-new, DR, Tiering):

• Design and deliver hybrid file storage patterns for: Net-new cloud workloads, Disaster recovery (DR), Tiering / hybrid data placement.
• Implement and support cloud file services such as Azure NetApp Files and Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP (or equivalent services), including operational monitoring and support models.
• Work with network/security teams to apply cloud connectivity and security best practices to storage designs (e. g., VNets/VPCs, private endpoints, IAM/RBAC, encryption/logging).

Block Storage and SAN (Secondary / Supporting Scope):

• Provide engineering support for enterprise block storage platforms (e. g., IBM FlashSystem, Dell PowerMax, or similar): provisioning, LUN design, multipathing, performance considerations, and availability patterns.
• Support SAN-related implementation needs and governance, including best practices for Fibre Channel connectivity and troubleshooting.
• Perform or govern FC zoning changes for non-production and production under controlled change processes.

Operational Excellence, Tooling and Governance (Supportable Engineering):

• Document engineering work and outcomes in ServiceNow, including troubleshooting methodology, work logs, implementation notes, and knowledge/runbook updates designed for MSP operational handoff.
• Execute change management and audit readiness consistently with documented procedures; create or improve processes/standards where gaps exist.
• Define and govern monitoring/observability for storage services using LogicMonitor and storage analytics tooling (e. g., NetApp OnCommand Insight (OCI) in a legacy/transition state), tracking stability, availability, capacity, and performance (latency/IOPS/throughput/utilization/errors).
• Participate as a senior escalation SME during P1/P2 severity bridges; drive RCA and corrective/preventive actions to reduce repeat incidents.
• Develop and standardise preventative maintenance and lifecycle routines (e. g., storage platform software/firmware currency, health checks), aligned with production availability and performance expectations.
• Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve complex incidents and problems within defined SLAs by partnering with MSP operations, vendors, and internal engineering teams.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of enterprise storage engineering experience with significant hands-on delivery responsibility.
• Strong experience engineering enterprise file storage, with NFS as a primary protocol.
• Working knowledge and hands-on exposure to hybrid cloud storage configuration/patterns for net-new workloads, DR, and tiering.
• Working knowledge of block storage fundamentals (LUN concepts, multipathing) and SAN concepts (FC fundamentals; zoning familiarity).
• Strong troubleshooting skills across storage + OS (Linux/Windows) + network layers; ability to operate independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to deliver capacity planning, life cycle management, and general administration.
• Demonstrated discipline in ITSM documentation (ServiceNow), change control, and audit readiness expectations.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to document and defend technical decisions, partner effectively across infrastructure teams and MSP stakeholders, and communicate clearly to customers and IT leadership.
• Ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• NetApp ONTAP depth (NFS, snapshots, replication, upgrades, migrations, performance tuning, tiering; ONTAP Select).
• Experience with cloud file services such as Azure NetApp Files and Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP.
• Knowledge of cloud networking/security concepts that influence storage designs (VNets/VPCs, private endpoints, IAM/RBAC).
• Experience with enterprise block platforms such as IBM FlashSystem and/or Dell PowerMax (or comparable arrays).
• Brocade/Cisco SAN exposure (fabric concepts, zoning strategy, troubleshooting).
• Automation experience using scripting and/or IaC approaches (PowerShell/Python, Ansible/Terraform, vendor APIs/SDKs, Git workflows).

Success Measures (First 6 Months):

• EoL replacements: prioritised refresh plan and initial cutovers executed with predictable outcomes.
• Migration backlog: measurable reduction via repeatable playbooks, templates, and improved throughput.
• Performance: top recurring file/hybrid performance issues resolved with improved telemetry and fewer repeat incidents.
• Standards/automation: baseline engineering standards established and early automation delivered to reduce manual work and improve reliability.

Technology Environment (Examples):

• File / NAS: NetApp ONTAP Unified, ONTAP Select; NFS primary (SMB/multiprotocol as required).
• Hybrid Cloud: Azure NetApp Files, Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP.
• Block Storage: IBM FlashSystem, Dell PowerMax.
• SAN: Fibre Channel connectivity; FC zoning (Brocade/Cisco exposure a plus).
• ITSM / Monitoring: ServiceNow; LogicMonitor; storage analytics tooling (NetApp OCI legacy/transition).

Skills

ANF, Automation, Azure, Azure NetApp Files, Hybrid, NetApp, NetApp Storage, ONTAP, On-Premise, PowerShell, Python, Solution Architecture