Senior Manager - Storage and Data Protection

About Core42

Core42 is a pioneering force in AI-driven cloud and digital infrastructure, delivering transformative technology solutions worldwide. The company specializes in sovereign AI infrastructure tailored for sectors with demanding regulatory frameworks. By combining sovereign capabilities with scalable, high-performance compute infrastructure, Core42 is a leader in AI innovation, especially across the Middle East.

Role Overview

The Senior Manager for Storage and Data Protection Engineering leads teams comprised of storage engineers and systems architects responsible for the architecture, implementation, operation, and ongoing enhancement of distributed and cloud-scale storage and data protection platforms. This role requires a blend of advanced hands-on technical skills and strong leadership, guiding the team through strategic, architectural, and operational challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and nurture teams of storage engineers and system architects, promoting a culture centered on technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, mentorship, responsibility, and ongoing professional development.
• Serve as the foremost technical authority within storage and data protection domains, offering architectural oversight, critical design evaluations, engineering supervision, and technology advice, while maintaining active hands-on engineering engagement especially during complex and escalated situations.
• Ensure the deliverables meet high standards of quality, scalability, reliability, security, and operational preparedness including all technical documentation.
• Manage the architecture, implementation, maintenance, and lifecycle of cloud-scale and distributed storage, backup, disaster recovery, cyber recovery, and data protection platforms that support various cloud services.
• Define and enforce engineering standards, best operational practices, automation frameworks, and compliance procedures consistent with security, risk management, regulatory, and operational demands.
• Lead and coordinate storage and data protection projects in collaboration with cross-functional teams to guarantee successful outcomes.
• Participate in strategic forums such as Architecture Review Boards and governance bodies, contributing to technology strategy and alignment with organizational architecture roadmaps.
• Engage in technology assessments, vendor relationship management, roadmap planning, and resolve technical escalations in cooperation with storage and data protection vendors and partners.
• Act as a senior-level escalation contact for major production incidents, critical technical challenges, outages, and customer-impacting events, offering decisive leadership during incident resolution and root cause analyses.
• Provide leadership teams with strategic insights, technology roadmaps, and investment recommendations aimed at evolving and optimizing storage and data protection platforms.
• Keep abreast of emerging technologies in storage, AI infrastructure, cyber resiliency, and data protection, advising on innovations to enhance service quality, efficiency, and scalability.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Software Engineering, IT, or a related technology field.
• At least 12 years of practical experience designing, implementing, managing, and improving large-scale storage, data protection, backup, disaster recovery, or infrastructure systems.
• Minimum of 3 years managing engineering teams responsible for storage, data protection, or infrastructure services, including direct supervision of engineers and architects.
• Proven proficiency as a hands-on leader with in-depth knowledge of storage and data protection technologies.
• Extensive experience with distributed and cloud-scale storage systems including NAS, SAN, Object Storage, software-defined storage, and high-performance storage architectures.
• Track record of designing and managing platforms supporting Cloud, AI, HPC, Kubernetes, virtualization, and critical enterprise workloads.
• Strong expertise in storage performance optimization, capacity and scalability planning, resilience, multi-tenancy, and operational lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with Linux, virtualization, cloud infrastructure, automation, observability, and platform engineering best practices.
• Experience with infrastructure automation, Infrastructure as Code, operational tooling, and engineering process standardization.
• Capability to support mission-critical environments as a senior technical escalation point for complex operational issues and major outages.
• Ability to provide architectural leadership, conduct comprehensive technical reviews, mentor teams, and influence decision-making across projects and initiatives.
• Understanding of security, compliance, data governance, risk management, cyber recovery, and overall operational resilience.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, conducting technology evaluations, handling technical escalations, and participating in roadmap discussions.
• Strong analytical, leadership, communication, stakeholder management, mentoring, and problem-solving competencies.
• Certifications related to Storage, Data Protection, Cloud, Linux, Kubernetes, ITIL, or related fields are considered beneficial.

Working at Core42

Core42’s workforce exceeds 1,100 employees from 68 different nationalities, creating an inclusive and innovative workplace culture. The company upholds values of resilience (Grit), passion for excellence, and commitment to impactful progress. Employees thrive in a setting where individual contributions propel collective success and outstanding achievements are a shared goal.

• Competitive salary package reflecting skills and experience.
• Annual performance-based bonus rewards.
• Discount benefits through Esaad and Fazaa cards across various services.
• Comprehensive family health insurance including dental, vision, and life coverage.
• Access to premium learning platforms offering extensive courses for professional growth and self-paced career development.