Principal Infrastructure Architect

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension fund

Annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay seeks a Principal Infrastructure Architect to define the infrastructure strategy, design resilient, scalable systems, and lead transformation programs across on‑prem and cloud environments to support complex industrial operations.

You will provide technical leadership, mentor infrastructure teams, ensure security and regulatory compliance, optimize performance, and collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders in a hybrid work model with access to our Richards Bay

Qualifications

• Master's degree in CS, Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years in IT infrastructure design, implementation, and management.
• Experience architecting enterprise-scale infrastructure (servers, storage, networking, data centers).
• Strong knowledge of AWS and Azure and hybrid cloud strategies.
• Experience with virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V) and containerization.
• Proficiency in network architecture, security protocols, and firewall management.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
• Strong leadership and communication abilities; experience managing diverse technical teams.
• Desirable certifications: CISSP, CCIE, or cloud architect certifications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead long-term infrastructure architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Design scalable, high-availability, disaster-resilient infrastructure solutions.
• Oversee selection, implementation, and integration of hardware, software, and network technologies.
• Lead major infrastructure upgrade and migration projects.
• Ensure security and compliance of IT infrastructure with standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define infrastructure requirements.
• Establish and maintain infrastructure standards, policies, and best practices.
• Conduct performance analysis and implement optimization strategies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to infrastructure teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies for potential adoption.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

AWS

Azure

VMware

Hyper-V

Terraform

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the industrial sector located in **Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal**, is looking for a Principal Infrastructure Architect to design and oversee the evolution of its critical IT infrastructure. This senior position demands a visionary leader capable of architecting resilient, scalable, and secure infrastructure solutions that support complex industrial operations. You will be responsible for defining the infrastructure strategy, leading major transformation projects, and ensuring the optimal performance and availability of all systems. This role involves a hybrid work arrangement, balancing focused work at our **Richards Bay** facility with remote flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term infrastructure architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Design and implement scalable, high-availability, and disaster-resilient infrastructure solutions.
• Oversee the selection, implementation, and integration of hardware, software, and network technologies.
• Lead major infrastructure upgrade and migration projects.
• Ensure the security and compliance of the IT infrastructure with industry standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define infrastructure requirements and provide technical expertise.
• Establish and maintain infrastructure standards, policies, and best practices.
• Conduct performance analysis and implement optimization strategies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to infrastructure teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies for potential adoption.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Over 12 years of experience in IT infrastructure design, implementation, and management.
• Demonstrated expertise in architecting complex enterprise-level infrastructure, including servers, storage, networking, and data centers.
• Strong knowledge of cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure) and hybrid cloud strategies.
• Experience with virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V) and containerization.
• Proficiency in network architecture, security protocols, and firewall management.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
• Strong leadership and communication abilities, with experience managing diverse technical teams.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CCIE, or cloud architect certifications are highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and bonus package, along with comprehensive health benefits, a robust pension fund, and significant annual leave. This hybrid role provides flexibility, with access to state-of-the-art facilities at our **Richards Bay** location. Professional development is actively encouraged through training programs and opportunities to attend leading industry events. We also offer life insurance, wellness programs, and a stimulating work environment focused on innovation and operational excellence.