Principal Desktop Engineer

Principal Desktop Engineer

Location: Chicago

Job Type: Contract

Salary: $100-140ph

Working Pattern: Hybrid

We are looking for an experienced Principal Desktop Engineer to join our End User Computing team and play a key role in designing, engineering and supporting a modern enterprise desktop environment.

You will act as a senior technical authority, leading complex engineering initiatives, resolving high-level escalations and driving innovation across the end-user technology landscape. You will work closely with Business, IT and Security leaders to develop solutions that are secure, reliable, scalable and deliver an excellent user experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and implement engineering solutions for the enterprise desktop environment.
• Lead technical projects from conception through to successful delivery.
• Design and package applications for enterprise deployment using VMware AppStacks and similar technologies.
• Develop technical specifications, architectural designs, standards, best practices and design patterns.
• Maintain and oversee Windows operating system base builds , including feature updates, software updates and vulnerability remediation.
• Preserve and manage end-user profile settings within virtual desktop environments.
• Troubleshoot complex application installation, compatibility, performance and runtime issues.
• Support and troubleshoot Microsoft 365 / Office 365 and desktop/mobile applications.
• Resolve complex systems integration and multi-platform compatibility issues.
• Automate end-user technology processes using scripting and modern engineering practices.
• Research emerging technologies and recommend strategic adoption where appropriate.
• Act as a senior technical escalation point for complex desktop and end-user computing issues.
• Work with Business, IT and Security stakeholders to gather requirements and communicate technical changes.
• Identify risks proactively and develop practical, solution-focused improvements.
• Challenge existing approaches and drive innovation across the end-user experience.
• Provide tactical and strategic input into the overall End User Computing strategy.
• Lead projects of varying size and complexity while managing competing priorities.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to members of the Desktop Engineering team.
• Document technical designs, changes, policies, procedures and environment diagrams.

Essential Skills & Experience

Technical

• 8+ years' experience in desktop engineering, end-user computing or a closely related role.
• 8+ years' experience with enterprise desktop management solutions.
• 8+ years' experience supporting Microsoft 365 / Office 365 environments.
• Strong experience supporting Windows desktop operating systems .
• Proven experience deploying applications across enterprise desktop environments using modern deployment technologies.
• Strong desktop application troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with scripting or automation technologies such as PowerShell, Python or Terraform .
• Demonstrable expertise in desktop engineering architecture and solution design.
• Experience working within a DevOps culture and applying modern engineering practices.
• Understanding of risk and controls within technical processes.
• Experience addressing systems integration, compatibility and multi-platform challenges.

We're looking for someone who combines strong hands-on desktop engineering expertise with the ability to lead projects, influence stakeholders and mentor others. You will be comfortable working at both a strategic and technical level, taking ownership of complex problems and turning them into secure, scalable and innovative solutions.

If you are passionate about end-user technology, automation and improving the digital workplace , we'd like to hear from you.