Network Engineer

First Quantum Minerals Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global mining company in Cape Town seeks a Network Engineer to enhance enterprise network infrastructure. The role emphasizes maintaining and optimizing Cisco technologies, ensuring reliability, performance, and security. Candidates should possess a bachelor's degree and Cisco certifications, along with strong problem-solving and communication skills. This position offers competitive compensation and a dynamic work environment, supporting safety and innovation.

Benefits

Competitive base compensation

Financial incentives (bonuses & shares)

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience with Cisco networking equipment is required.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols and technologies is essential.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure and maintain Cisco network devices.
• Provide Tier 2/Tier 3 support for network-related issues.
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Strong communication

Customer-service orientation

Experience with SDWAN technology

Understanding of SIP trunks in Enterprise Phone System

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Cisco certifications (CCNP or higher)

Tools

Cisco IOS

SolarWinds

PRTG

Job description

Network Engineer – First Quantum Minerals Ltd

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Company Description

First Quantum Minerals is a leading Canadian‑based global mining & metals company focused on the production of copper, nickel, gold & cobalt. As one of the world's top 10 copper producers, we export millions of tonnes of concentrate from multiple countries to customers worldwide.

Our operations and future developments span across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the Americas.

We are globally recognised for our specialist technical, engineering, construction and operational skills, unlocking value from complex mineral projects and delivering rewarding careers for our people, returns for our shareholders and sustainable development for the communities hosting our operations.

Job Description

Reporting to the Regional IT Manager – EMEA of our IT division, this role will form an integral part of our Regional IT team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing our enterprise network infrastructure with a focus on Cisco technologies. You will ensure network reliability, performance and security to support business operations. The role demands a high level of technical expertise in network hardware, software and protocols. The incumbent will work within a team of other technical and support staff and may interact with external vendors and customers as well as internal stakeholders such as project managers and IT teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure and maintain Cisco network devices, including routers, switches and wireless controllers.
• Provide Tier 2/Tier 3 support for network‑related issues, ensuring timely resolution of incidents and service requests.
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot latency, bottlenecks and other network issues.
• Manage and support Cisco technologies such as Cisco ASA, Meraki, Nexus and Catalyst platforms.
• Perform routine network maintenance and upgrades, including firmware updates and patches.
• Document network configurations, procedures and policies.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional IT teams on projects and system integrations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards and best practices.
• Participate in on‑call rotation and provide after‑hours support as needed.
• Ensure the Group Standards for Networking Architecture and Technology are adhered to in our mining operations.
• Handle Adds / Moves / Changes on a Cisco Unified Communications Manager.
• Deploy and support Cloud Manager Video Conferencing hardware.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues between devices on the same network segment.
• Support and troubleshoot network issues and coordinate with vendors.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation.
• Provide recommendations on improvements to network performance.
• Manage vendor / stakeholder relationships and SLAs relating to network services.
• Support other teams during new provisioning, ongoing maintenance windows and development work with IP networking / sysadmin expertise.
• Collaborate with other IT teams to resolve complex problems.
• Plan for future growth by implementing scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Cisco certifications preferred (CCNP or higher).
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Strong communication skills and customer‑service orientation.
• Experience with SDWAN technology.
• Understanding of how SIP trunks can be deployed in an Enterprise Phone System.

Experience & Technical Skills Required

• Proven experience as a Network Support Engineer with a focus on Cisco networking equipment.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols and technologies (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, STP, QoS).
• Experience with Cisco IOS, NX‑OS and Meraki dashboard management.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools (SolarWinds, PRTG, etc.).
• Knowledge of network security principles and technologies (Firewalls, VPNs, ACLs).
• Experience with SDWAN technology.
• Understanding of how SIP trunks can be deployed in an Enterprise Phone System.

Other Requirements

• Candidates must have the right to work in the applicable region without visa sponsorship.
• Mobile.
• Willingness to work and travel across FQM's operations and locations worldwide.
• Flexible hours due to the 24‑hour support model.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Proficiency in other languages highly regarded.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Strong communication skills and customer‑service orientation.

Core Values & Behavioural Profile

FQM’s culture is centred on fostering innovation, harnessing original thinking and challenging convention. We work Bolder, Smarter, Driven, Together. These four pillars are the keys to our growth in the past, the success of our present, and the foundations of our continued evolution and improvement into the future.

BOLDER

• Comfortable in an atmosphere of freedom, flexibility and challenging convention.
• Versatile and thrives in a challenging environment.
• Risk assessment ability and ability to balance competing interests of businesses.
• Strong ability to navigate complexity, operate with minimal bureaucracy and act strategically.
• Highly flexible and adaptable to fast‑changing priorities.

SMARTER

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improvement.

DRIVEN

• Aspires for excellence, setting high standards and taking accountability for performance.
• Thrives in high‑pressure, demanding, deadline‑driven environment.

TOGETHER

• Calm, confident and collaborative with an approachable, professional demeanour.
• Willingness to perform work scope outside the core responsibilities of the role.
• Ability to develop and sustain relationships and trust with stakeholders and vendors.
• High level of personal credibility and strong adherence to the highest ethical standards.

Additional Information

Additional information available upon request.

First Quantum Benefits

• A dynamic, challenging and extraordinary working environment where safety is a number one priority.
• Opportunity to develop within a growing company that is currently one of the world's top 10 copper producers.
• Highly competitive base compensation & financial incentives (discretionary bonuses & Long‑term share plan).
• Leave options aligned with local market best practice.
• Performance over presence culture & flexible working environment as per business requirements.

Diversity & Inclusion

First Quantum Minerals is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its workforce and operations.