About the position
Overview:
- We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Systems/Network Administrator to join our client’s team.
- The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with both Linux and Windows environments, advanced networking, virtualization, storage solutions, and system clusters.
- This role demands technical expertise, a strong troubleshooting mindset, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Key responsibilities:
Linux Systems Administration:
- Expert-level administration of Debian-based distributions (Ubuntu) and RedHat derivatives (Alma, Rocky).
- Provisioning and configuring servers, clusters, laptops, and other devices via the CLI.
- Installation and configuration of LOB (Line-of-Business) applications manually—config files (YAML, JSON).
- Monitoring and troubleshooting system performance, processes, and logs to ensure smooth operations.
- Participating in interviews and tests focused on troubleshooting system issues based on log output and process analysis.
Windows Systems Administration:
- Managing and supporting Windows servers in a range of functions, including Active Directory (AD/LDAP), DHCP, DNS, NPS, Certificate Services, IIS, and Hyper-V.
- Knowledge of IIS modules (Dot Net, ASP, Web Sockets).
- Providing user desktop support and managing Windows-based file servers.
- Taking ownership of Windows Server maintenance and administration tasks.
Networking:
- Working in environments with Core/Distribution/Access-switching topologies, high-throughput aggregation switches, and edge/access switches (Edgecore, MikroTik, UniFi, D-Link).
- Managing VLANs, implementing modern tunneling technologies such as ZeroTier and WireGuard, and being well-versed in iptables/nftables, firewalld, and network bonding techniques.
- Hands-on configuration and troubleshooting of FortiGate, MikroTik, pfSense, and other similar systems.
- Maintaining network performance and ensuring uptime for critical services.
- Knowledge of monitoring applications such as Zabbix, Nagios, Data Dog and New Relic.
- IPAM/DCIM experience essential.
Database Support:
- Providing basic support for Postgres, Oracle, and MariaDB environments (backups, restores, and minor SQL queries).
- Oracle DB knowledge advantageous, including the use of Oracle Data Pump and TNS Listener troubleshooting.
- Collaborating with DBA teams to ensure database availability and performance.
Server Hardware & Storage Administration:
- Manage SAN, NAS, DAS, LVM, and LUN infrastructures. From setting up and configuring HPE SAN systems to managing Synology, Seagate NAS and FreeNAS devices.
- Perform tasks such as HBA bonding, SCSI configuration, and storage performance optimization.
- Server hardware – assembly/upgrades and troubleshooting.
- RAID and other HA methods, including setup and best practice configurations.
- Veeam Backup and Quest NetVault experience advantageous.
- Familiarity with LTO-tape technology and how it works and is used will be advantageous.
Virtualization & Cluster Management:
- Administering Xen-based hypervisor clusters (XCP/Xen Hypervisors) and Hyper-V environments.
- Deploying, maintaining, and troubleshooting virtualized environments.
- Managing cluster performance, failover, and storage integration.
- Past hands-on experience with Hyper-V clusters and VMWare vSphere advantageous.
- Knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and containerization technologies is advantageous.
Functions:
- Implementing ITIL-based best practices (ITSM).
- Managing assets (ITAM), including hardware procurement, supplier negotiation, warranties, and SLAs.
- Familiarity with JIRA and Confluence is advantageous.
- Writing of support and training documentation.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
Minimum Requirements:
Qualifications required:
- Matric plus an IT Degree (Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems, Management Information Systems, or similar or a National IT Diploma).
- MUST HAVE: Linux LPIC2 certification.
- MUST HAVE: MCITP, CCNA, MCSE: Core Infrastructure, ITILv4, Security+
- Advantageous certifications: A+ or N+, MTCNA, ICND1, MTCRE, UBWA, Server+, MCSA: Windows Server 2016.
- 6 – 8 years’ experience required in a similar role.
Skills and experience required:
- Extensive experience in technical management, preferably in a related industry.
- Advanced knowledge of IT Infrastructure and Information Systems innovation and integration.
- Ability to manage IT support teams.
- Familiarity with database queries.
- Knowledge of database design and theories.
- Ability to work with data architects and other IT specialist to set up, maintain and monitor data networks.
- Knowledge of database structure languages, such as SQL or SQL/PSM.
- Experience with server installation and maintenance.
- Familiarity with database management best practices.
- Has a full understanding of the IT SDLC.
- Experience in ITIL and AGILE Methodologies.
- Ability to diagnose faults, incidents, and problems, and implement required changes.
- Ensuring optimal hardware and software functionality, as well as network security.
Desired Skills:
- Systems Admin (Linux & Windows)
- Systems/Network Admin (Linux & Windows)
- Operations Specialist (Linux & Windows)
