Senior System Administrator, Johannesburg

Purpose of Job

Senior System Administrator will be responsible for ensuring the stability, security, and efficient operation of our company's IT infrastructure. This role requires strong technical knowledge of Linux and Windows administration, networking, and proficiency in managing hypervisors such as VMware or Hyper-V and Proxmox, along with experience in managing Azure cloud environments. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Linux and Windows System Administration:
• Install, configure, and maintain Linux and Windows servers and workstations.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and file systems on both platforms.
• Perform regular system monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance
tuning.
• Conduct security audits and implement necessary measures to protect
systems and data.
• Create and maintain system documentation, including configuration and
troubleshooting guides.
2. Azure Cloud Management:
• Deploy, configure, and manage virtual machines and other resources in Azure.
• Monitor cloud infrastructure for availability, performance, and security.
• Implement and manage virtual networks, subnets, and network security
groups.
• Develop and maintain Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates for
infrastructure automation.
• Ensure proper backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans for
cloud-based systems.
3. Hypervisor Management:
• Install, configure, and maintain hypervisor platforms, preferably Proxmox.
• Manage virtual machines, templates, snapshots, and virtual networks.
• Optimize and monitor hypervisor performance and resource allocation.
• Implement and manage high availability and fault tolerance features.
4. Network Administration:
• Configure and maintain network devices, such as routers, switches, and
firewalls.
• Troubleshoot network connectivity issues and optimize network
performance.

• Implement and maintain VPN connections and remote access solutions.
• Monitor and manage network security, including intrusion detection and
prevention systems.
5. System Monitoring and Performance:
• Deploy and maintain monitoring tools for proactive system monitoring and
alerting.
• Analyse system performance data, identify bottlenecks, and optimize system
resources.
• Conduct capacity planning to ensure system scalability and meet business
requirements.
• Collaborate with development teams to optimize application performance on
the infrastructure.
6. Documentation and Collaboration:
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including system
configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide technical support and
solutions.
• Participate in on-call rotations and respond to system emergencies promptly.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best
practices in system administration, cloud computing, and virtualization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field
(or equivalent work experience).
• Relevant certifications, such as Linux Professional Institute (LPIC), Microsoft
Certified: Azure Administrator Associate advantageous.

Experience & Systems 

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in an Enterprise IT environment
• Strong experience in Linux and Windows system administration, including
installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in managing Azure cloud services and resources, including VMs,
storage, networking, and security.
• Hands-on experience with hypervisor technologies such as VMware or Hyper-V
and Proxmox.
• Solid understanding of networking concepts and protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP,
VPN, etc.).
• Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Bash, PowerShell, Python) for
automation and infrastructure management.
• Experience with configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef) is a
plus.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) is
desirable.

Skills & Competencies (Personal & interpersonal)

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and in a
team environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with
stakeholders at all levels.