Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Windows Desktop Engineer

💰 $70,000 - $120,000

ITDesktop SupportWindowsEndpoint Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Windows Desktop Engineer is an experienced IT professional responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of Windows desktops and laptops across an enterprise environment. This role designs, deploys, secures and troubleshoots Windows 10/11 endpoints using industry-standard tools (SCCM/ConfigMgr, Microsoft Intune, Autopilot, MDT), enforces Group Policy and Active Directory standards, automates administrative tasks with PowerShell, and partners with security, networking and application teams to deliver a reliable and secure user computing experience. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong customer service, documentation discipline and project delivery skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Desktop Support Technician / Help Desk Analyst
  • IT Support Engineer / Field Technician
  • Junior Systems Administrator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Windows Desktop Engineer / Endpoint Engineer
  • Endpoint Architect / Client Platform Architect
  • IT Infrastructure Manager / Desktop Services Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Systems Administrator
  • Security Operations Analyst (Endpoint Security)
  • Cloud Endpoint Engineer (Microsoft 365/Azure AD focused)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, build and maintain Windows desktop and laptop images using SCCM/ConfigMgr, Microsoft Intune, MDT and Autopilot to support consistent, secure and compliant endpoint deployments across the enterprise.
  • Plan and execute large-scale OS migrations and refresh projects (Windows 10 → Windows 11), including pilot phases, staged rollouts, rollback strategies and cutover support.
  • Implement and manage Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune + Configuration Manager) policies, compliance profiles and device configuration baselines to enforce corporate security controls and configuration standards.
  • Develop, test and maintain PowerShell scripts and automation workflows to streamline provisioning, patching, inventory reporting, log collection and repetitive administrative tasks.
  • Administer Active Directory and Azure AD, manage computer and user accounts, OU design, group membership, and troubleshoot authentication issues (Kerberos, NTLM, ADFS, Azure AD Join).
  • Create, review and maintain Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and Group Policy Preferences to apply security, application and system configurations consistently across user and device populations.
  • Operate patch management processes for Windows endpoints and third-party applications using WSUS, SCCM, or Intune, ensuring timely deployment, monitoring success rates and remediating failures.
  • Provide advanced troubleshooting for desktop hardware and software issues: blue screens, driver conflicts, application compatibility, profile corruption, printing and peripheral connectivity.
  • Manage endpoint security tooling (EDR/AV), integrate telemetry into incident response, and collaborate with security teams on containment and remediation of endpoint threats and vulnerabilities.
  • Design and maintain endpoint baselines, hardening guides and security configurations aligned to CIS, NIST or organizational policies; perform periodic compliance assessments.
  • Maintain and optimize imaging and provisioning systems (task sequences, driver management, unattend files) to reduce deployment time and improve reliability.
  • Support and administer corporate VPN, remote access technologies, and connectivity troubleshooting for remote and hybrid workers.
  • Integrate and support Microsoft 365 desktop services (OneDrive, Teams, Outlook) and troubleshoot end-user issues with mail profiles, OST management and cloud sync.
  • Monitor and manage endpoint inventory, asset tracking and lifecycle processes (procurement coordination, warranty, RMA, secure disposal).
  • Create and maintain technical documentation: runbooks, standard operating procedures, escalation guides and knowledge-base articles to enable repeatable operations and knowledge transfer.
  • Collaborate with application owners and third-party vendors to validate application compatibility, package software (MSI/MSIX/App-V) and coordinate enterprise application deployments.
  • Participate in on-call rotation and provide escalated desktop support for high-impact incidents and production outages with timely communication and post-incident reviews.
  • Lead pilot programs for new endpoint technologies and evaluate desktop management tools, recommending improvements and cost-effective solutions for scale.
  • Train and mentor junior desktop engineers and support staff on troubleshooting techniques, endpoint tooling and best practices for device management.
  • Enforce and support remote wipe, encryption (BitLocker), strong authentication and data protection measures on corporate devices to reduce data leakage risk.
  • Perform vulnerability remediation and coordinate with patching windows, documenting exceptions and compensating controls as needed for business-critical systems.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain relationships with hardware and software vendors to escalate support, manage warranties and coordinate complex repairs or replacements.
  • Conduct periodic endpoint security audits and assist the security team with forensic data collection and endpoint telemetry for investigations.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects (network upgrades, application rollouts, M&A integrations) as the desktop/endpoint SME to ensure operational compatibility.
  • Coordinate end-user communications, training sessions and rollout schedules for major desktop changes and new feature deliveries.
  • Support procurement and asset tagging processes for new endpoint purchases, ensuring standardized specifications and build profiles.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing metrics (MTTR, deployment success rates, incident trends) and recommending process optimizations.
  • Assist in developing business cases and total cost of ownership (TCO) models for endpoint tooling and lifecycle investments.
  • Support accessibility and assistive technologies setup for users with specialized needs.
  • Help maintain service-level agreements (SLAs) for desktop services and report on performance against targets.
  • Lead or participate in disaster recovery and business continuity planning for endpoint services.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Windows client OS expertise: Windows 10 and Windows 11 deployment, configuration and troubleshooting at scale.
  • Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM/ConfigMgr): task sequences, collections, application deployment, reporting.
  • Microsoft Intune and Autopilot: device enrollment, configuration profiles, compliance policies and co-management strategies.
  • Active Directory and Azure AD: domain join, group policy management, account and OU administration, hybrid identity patterns.
  • Group Policy (GPO) design and troubleshooting, including GPO processing order, loopback and filtering.
  • PowerShell scripting and automation for device management, reporting, log gathering and remediation scripts.
  • Imaging and provisioning tools: MDT, SCCM task sequences, DISM, Sysprep, driver management and unattended setup.
  • Patch management and third-party software update tools (WSUS, SCCM Software Updates, Intune patch management).
  • Endpoint security tooling: EDR platforms (CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Carbon Black), BitLocker management and encryption practices.
  • Microsoft 365 desktop applications and troubleshooting (Office 365, OneDrive, Teams, Outlook).
  • Virtualization and OS testing platforms (Hyper-V, VMware Workstation/ESXi) for lab/testing.
  • Networking basics relevant to endpoints: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, proxy and wireless connectivity troubleshooting.
  • Software packaging and deployment (MSI, MSIX, application virtualization).
  • Ticketing and ITSM tools (ServiceNow, Jira, Zendesk) for incident, problem and change management.
  • Logging, monitoring and diagnostic tools (Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, SCCM/Intune reporting, sysinternals).
  • Basic knowledge of mobile device management (MDM) concepts and cross-platform endpoint considerations.

Soft Skills

  • Strong customer service orientation and ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical users.
  • Analytical troubleshooting mindset with attention to detail and persistence to resolve complex desktop issues.
  • Project management and organizational skills to plan migrations, rollouts and upgrades with minimal user impact.
  • Collaboration and stakeholder management across IT teams (security, networking, applications) and business units.
  • Ability to write clear, usable documentation, runbooks and knowledge base articles.
  • Time management and prioritization in fast-paced, incident-driven environments.
  • Mentoring and coaching skills to develop junior engineers and cross-train teams.
  • Adaptability to rapidly evolving endpoint technologies and cloud-driven management paradigms.
  • Problem ownership, accountability and follow-through to resolution.
  • Effective escalation and vendor coordination skills when engaging third-party support.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity or related field.
  • Industry certifications: Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate, Microsoft 365 Certified, CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+, or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Information Systems
  • Cybersecurity
  • Network Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3 - 7 years of hands-on experience managing Windows desktops and enterprise endpoint tooling.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years in desktop engineering, endpoint management or systems administration supporting enterprise-scale environments.
  • Demonstrated experience with SCCM/Endpoint Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, Autopilot and PowerShell automation.
  • Experience operating within ITIL/ITSM frameworks and using service management platforms (ServiceNow).
  • Experience with endpoint security platforms and working with security operations teams on incident response, remediation and compliance.
Explore More Careers