Windows Image Engineer

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:

Windows Image Authoring3%2B years building custom Windows images for VDI (MDT, SCCM/MECM, or manual sysprep-based workflows)
OS OptimizationProficiency with the Omnissa OS Optimization Tool (OSOT), Citrix Optimizer, or equivalent VDI optimization techniques
Application PackagingExperience packaging and silently installing enterprise applications (MSI, MSIX, App-V, or Omnissa App Volumes)
Hardening & GPOApplying CIS/STIG benchmarks to Windows images, managing GPOs specific to non-persistent VDI
Scripting & AutomationPowerShell scripting for image build automation, post-deployment configuration, and validation
Horizon Image ManagementExperience with Horizon instant-clone image publishing workflows, replica management, and pool updates
Testing & ValidationStructured 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%2B (if compliance environment)