Windows Image Engineer
Engagement Overview
Scope: Design, build, and configure a production-ready Omnissa Horizon (formerly VMware Horizon) virtual desktop environment on AWS, including provisioning of approximately 30 custom Windows images.
Key Deliverables:
- Fully operational Horizon infrastructure on AWS (Connection Servers, UAGs, vCenter integration)
- ~30 custom Windows golden images (optimized, hardened, application-layered)
- Operational runbooks and image lifecycle documentation
Summary
Hands-on engineer responsible for building, optimizing, and validating ~30 custom Windows golden images tailored to different user personas and application requirements.
Required Skills & Experience
Category | Requirement |
|---|
Windows Image Authoring | 3+ years building custom Windows images for VDI (MDT, SCCM/MECM, or manual sysprep-based workflows) |
OS Optimization | Proficiency with the Omnissa OS Optimization Tool (OSOT), Citrix Optimizer, or equivalent VDI optimization techniques |
Application Packaging | Experience packaging and silently installing enterprise applications (MSI, MSIX, App-V, or Omnissa App Volumes) |
Hardening & GPO | Applying CIS/STIG benchmarks to Windows images, managing GPOs specific to non-persistent VDI |
Scripting & Automation | PowerShell scripting for image build automation, post-deployment configuration, and validation |
Horizon Image Management | Experience with Horizon instant-clone image publishing workflows, replica management, and pool updates |
Testing & Validation | Structured QA process for image validation (application functionality, performance, login/profile behavior) |
Responsibilities
- Build ~30 custom Windows golden images based on defined user personas
- Optimize each image for VDI performance (services, scheduled tasks, visual effects, antivirus exclusions)
- Install and configure per-persona application stacks
- Apply security hardening (CIS/STIG baselines) while maintaining application compatibility
- Integrate with App Volumes / DEM for application and profile layering
- Document image composition (installed software, configurations, patch levels)
- Establish an image update/patch lifecycle process
- Validate images through structured testing prior to pool deployment
Preferred / Nice-to-Have
- Experience with Packer or similar for automated image pipelines
- Familiarity with Windows Update / WSUS patching strategies for golden images
- Knowledge of FSLogix or Omnissa DEM for profile management
- Experience supporting images across multiple Windows versions (Win10, Win11, Server 2019/2022)
Certifications (Desired)
- Omnissa VCP-DTM (Digital Workspace) or equivalent legacy VCP-DW
- AWS Solutions Architect – Associate or Professional
- Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
- CompTIA Security+ (if compliance environment)