Lead Systems Administrator

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonuses

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Lead Systems Administrator to manage our client's IT backbone in Upington, Northern Cape. You will oversee Windows and Linux servers, networks, and critical IT systems, ensuring security, uptime, and scalable design while mentoring a team of IT professionals.

The role emphasizes system design, implementation, maintenance, and proactive IT management in a renewable energy setting, with a hybrid work model and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT/CS or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years in systems administration with lead/senior experience.
• Strong Windows Server and Linux administration.
• Proficiency in TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs.
• Experience with virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V).
• Cloud experience (AWS/Azure/GCP) is a plus.
• Certifications such as MCSA, MCSE, RHCSA, RHCE desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee installation, configuration, and maintenance of servers (Windows and Linux) and networks.
• Monitor system performance for high availability and optimal resource use.
• Implement and enforce security policies to protect data and systems.
• Develop and manage backup and disaster recovery strategies.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls.
• Lead and mentor junior system administrators, providing guidance.
• Plan and execute system upgrades and patching.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve IT operations.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and IT best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS

IT certifications (MCSA/MCSE/RHCSA/RHCE)

Tools

VMware

Hyper-V

AWS

Azure

GCP

Windows Server

Linux

DNS/DHCP/VPNs

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a growing company in the renewable energy sector, is seeking an experienced Lead Systems Administrator to manage their IT infrastructure in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is essential for ensuring the smooth operation, security, and scalability of the company's server environments, networks, and critical IT systems. You will be responsible for system design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, as well as mentoring a team of IT professionals. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of system administration best practices, strong leadership skills, and a proactive approach to IT management. This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to a vital industry and grow within a supportive organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the installation, configuration, and maintenance of servers (Windows and Linux), networks, and other IT infrastructure components.
• Manage and monitor system performance, ensuring high availability and optimal resource utilization.
• Implement and enforce security policies and procedures to protect company data and systems.
• Develop and manage backup and disaster recovery strategies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and network issues in a timely manner.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls.
• Lead and mentor junior system administrators, providing guidance and support.
• Plan and execute system upgrades and patching.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and solutions to improve IT operations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and IT best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in systems administration, with proven experience in a lead or senior role.
• Strong experience managing Windows Server and Linux environments.
• Proficiency in network administration (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs).
• Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and best practices.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., MCSA, MCSE, RHCSA, RHCE) are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package and performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced IT certifications.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment in Upington, Northern Cape .
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Contribution to critical infrastructure in the renewable energy sector.
• Generous annual leave.