Windows Image Engineer

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

Hands-on engineer responsible for building, optimizing, and validating ~30 custom Windows golden images tailored to different user personas and application requirements.

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)

• 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

• 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)

• 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)