Data Protection Engineer

Data Protection Engineer Information Technology Chicago, IL - Hybrid (1 day per week onsite requirement; candidate must be local) This role requires a mix of remote work and onsite presence, with the employee expected to be onsite one day per week in Chicago. Contract Position About Our Client Our client is a leading global financial services organization with over 130 years of history, specializing in wealth management, investment services, and banking solutions. They serve high-net-worth individuals, families, foundations, and institutional clients worldwide, managing trillions of dollars in assets. Operating from multiple locations across the United States and internationally, they are known for their commitment to fiduciary responsibility, innovative technology solutions, and exceptional client service. The organization values integrity, service, and expertise as core pillars of their mission to help clients achieve their financial goals. Job Description As a Data Protection Engineer, you will serve as the primary technical expert and trusted advisor for enterprise-scale backup and recovery solutions. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with cutting-edge data protection technologies while ensuring business continuity and operational excellence for critical financial services infrastructure. You will be responsible for implementing, optimizing, and maintaining robust backup environments that protect sensitive financial data and ensure regulatory compliance. Your day-to-day work will involve designing and deploying backup solutions, troubleshooting complex technical issues, and providing strategic guidance on data protection best practices. You will collaborate closely with IT teams, business stakeholders, and external vendors to align data protection strategies with business objectives. This position is ideal for a technical professional who is passionate about data protection, enjoys solving complex problems, and thrives in a client-focused environment where your expertise directly impacts critical business operations. Duties and Responsibilities • Serve as the primary subject matter expert for data protection technologies, guiding customers in design, deployment, and best practices • Lead backup infrastructure implementations and integrate workloads for backup and disaster recovery • Design and execute migration strategies from Hyper-V to VMware environments • Establish and enforce backup sustainability standards, ensuring security, reliability, and compliance • Manage immutable cloud backups and hyperscale extensions for comprehensive data protection • Perform advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and issue resolution for backup and recovery systems • Develop detailed runbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and deployment templates • Maintain a comprehensive knowledge base with data protection best practices and system insights • Provide regular performance and health reports, ensuring system stability and proactive risk management • Train customer IT teams on backup technologies, backup strategies, and operational workflows • Collaborate with stakeholders to align data protection strategies with business continuity and disaster recovery goals • Advise on upgrades, patches, and enhancements to keep backup environments optimized and current Required Experience/Skills • 4+ years of hands-on experience in backup and recovery solutions in enterprise environments • Extensive experience with data protection technologies, preferably including Cohesity platforms • Strong understanding of VMware and Hyper-V virtualization technologies • Proven expertise in backup infrastructure migrations, particularly from Hyper-V to VMware • Knowledge of replication methodologies, backup strategies, and storage integrations • Experience with file services technologies such as NetApp, ISILON, or similar enterprise storage solutions • Familiarity with Microsoft 365 backup and restore processes (OneDrive, Mailbox, SharePoint, Groups, Teams) • Understanding of networking fundamentals including IPv4, DNS, NTP, and firewall configurations • Scripting proficiency in PowerShell or Python for automation and process improvements • Strong troubleshooting, performance tuning, and environment optimization skills • Ability to create clear technical documentation and provide effective end-user training • Excellent communication and presentation skills for engaging with technical and business stakeholders Nice-to-Haves • Personal interest in data protection, cybersecurity, or financial services technology • Experience with cloud backup solutions and hybrid infrastructure environments • Knowledge of compliance frameworks relevant to financial services (SOX, PCI DSS, etc.) • Familiarity with other backup vendors such as Veeam, Commvault, or Veritas • Experience working in regulated industries or large enterprise environments • Certifications in relevant technologies (VMware, Microsoft, storage vendors) Education Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related technical field preferred, or equivalent work experience. Pay & Benefits Summary • Competitive hourly rate of $65.00 per hour • Flexible hybrid work arrangement with minimal onsite requirements • Opportunity to work with cutting-edge data protection technologies • Professional development opportunities in enterprise-scale environments • Collaboration with industry-leading financial services organization • Exposure to complex technical challenges and innovative solutions Call-to-Action Ready to advance your career in data protection? Apply now to join our team and make a direct impact on critical enterprise infrastructure! Data Protection | Backup Engineer | VMware | NetApp | Microsoft 365 | Enterprise Storage | Chicago IT Jobs