NETWORK AND DATA CENTRE ENGINEER – SNR LEVEL

CrownConnect Careers; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 558,000 - 670,000; Full time

Job summary

CrownConnect Careers is seeking a Senior Network and Data Centre Engineer in Centurion to oversee the Microsoft 365, data centre, server and network environments. The role emphasizes FortiGate firewall administration, complex problem solving and collaboration with IT teams.

Your experience with Windows Server, Exchange, Azure AD and Mimecast will be essential to keep enterprise services secure and available.

Qualifications

• MCP, MCSE, MCITP or other relevant Microsoft certifications.
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification.
• Fortinet NSE / Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) or equivalent Fortinet certification.
• Relevant networking certifications such as CCNA, CCNP or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Manage and secure Microsoft 365, data centre, server and network environments.
• Administer and maintain FortiGate firewalls and VPNs.
• Troubleshoot complex server and network incidents and ensure data integrity.

Skills

FortiGate firewall

Windows Server

Microsoft 365

Azure AD / Entra

SQL Server

Mimecast

Security patch management

Tools

Fortinet FortiGate

Exchange Server

Mimecast

Job description

NETWORK AND DATA CENTRE ENGINEER – SNR LEVEL

PERMANENT

CENTURION

R50k to R60k

South African Citizens only!

BACKGROUND OF COMPANY

Our client specialises in customised IT outsourcing solutions, delivering high-availability hosted cloud infrastructure and redundant connectivity services using Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technologies. The company operates as a group of companies within the information and telecommunications services sector.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• MCP, MCSE, MCITP or other relevant Microsoft certifications.
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification.
• Fortinet NSE / Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) or equivalent Fortinet certification.
• Relevant networking certifications such as CCNA, CCNP or equivalent.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Minimum 8 years’ applicable IT infrastructure/support experience.
• Minimum 8 years’ hands-on networking experience.
• Proven hands-on FortiGate firewall experience is mandatory.
• Experience supporting enterprise-level Windows Server and Microsoft 365 environments.
• Experience troubleshooting complex server and network infrastructure problems.
• Experience in the aviation industry and with passenger handling platforms such as Amadeus or Sabre will be highly advantageous.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Microsoft / Server Infrastructure

• Advanced Windows Server support – Server 2016 to current versions.
• Advanced Exchange Server support – Exchange 2016 to current versions.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 support experience
• Azure AD / Microsoft Entra ID and Azure AD Connector administration and troubleshooting.
• Basic Microsoft SQL Server support and troubleshooting.
• Backup, restore and disaster recovery provable experience.
• Endpoint and server security and patch management.

Networking

• Advanced experience in FortiGate firewall administration and troubleshooting – mandatory.
• Configuration and troubleshooting of firewall policies and rules.
• Configuration and troubleshooting of site-to-site and remote-access VPNs.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, subnetting, DNS and DHCP.
• Routing and switching.
• VLAN configuration and troubleshooting.
• NAT and network security concepts.
• LAN and WAN troubleshooting.
• Wi‑Fi configuration and troubleshooting.
• Network cabling and physical network infrastructure.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex connectivity and network performance issues.
• Experience working with ISPs and other network service providers.
• Ability to analyse firewall and network logs to identify and resolve faults.
• Understanding of network security best practices and segmentation.

Experience with Fortinet/FortiGate environments is a non-negotiable requirement for this position.

FUNCTION OVERVIEW

• Responsible for all topics related to the Microsoft 365, data centre, server and network environments.
• Support, administration and management of the data centre and Windows Server environment.
• Support, administration and management of the organisation’s network infrastructure, including FortiGate firewalls, routing, switching, VLANs, VPNs and Wi‑Fi.
• Troubleshoot complex network incidents, including connectivity, routing, firewall, VPN, VLAN, DNS and related infrastructure issues.
• Support, administration and management of backups and data recovery.
• Support, administration and management of Azure AD Connector and the Microsoft 365 environment.
• Troubleshooting of complex server incidents and problems.
• Support of Mimecast across multiple domains, including troubleshooting mail flow and implementing and reviewing policies in line with best practices in consultation with Mimecast.
• Basic SQL Server administration and troubleshooting.
• Responsible for endpoint and server patching, including Windows updates.
• Support, administration and management of endpoint and server security.
• Participate in projects in accordance with agreed policies and procedures and ensure that all project deadlines are met.
• Analyse vulnerability reports and address vulnerabilities found on servers and endpoints.
• Installation and management of SSL certificates on Exchange.
• Troubleshooting FTP and sFTP platforms.
• Coordinate troubleshooting and support tickets with external service providers.
• Develop and maintain technical and functional documentation for required systems.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for relevant servers, networks and systems.
• Adhere to the change control policy for all changes.
• Make recommendations to management to improve systems, infrastructure and processes.
• Stay abreast of the latest technology and work with management on potential upgrades.
• Execute duties in accordance with ITIL framework guidelines.
• Provide 3rd-line support to the desktop team for complex problems.

ATTRIBUTES

• Great attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good business communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while providing operational support.
• Natural tendency to work within established rules, processes and boundaries.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to implement clear, efficient and logical approaches to work and manage assignments and objectives.
• Ability to critically analyse symptoms, diagnose faults, plan solutions and take appropriate action.
• Willingness to work overtime when required.
• Strong ownership and sense of responsibility.
• Drive to learn and ability to adapt to new technologies.
• Ability to work under pressure, complete work and meet deadlines.
• Committed and stable.
• Customer-service orientated.
• Administration orientated.
• Presentable, neat, confident and well-spoken.
• High level of honesty and integrity.