Principal IT Infrastructure and Network Engineer

BC Tech; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT service provider in Durban seeks a Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership and guidance, ensuring alignment with customer objectives. This role oversees complex challenges, mentors staff, and leads projects from conception to completion. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of engineering experience, strong analytical, and problem-solving skills, and excellent communication abilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering or a related field.
• Proven experience in progressively responsible technical roles, including leadership positions.
• Strong technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert service delivery to clients.
• Lead and manage technical projects from conception to completion.
• Monitor and assess the performance of the technical team.
• Conduct reviews and audits of clients to ensure compliance with technical standards.

Skills

Technical expertise

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Analytical skills

Job description

Principal Engineer – IT Infrastructure and Network

JOB PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Principal Engineer plays a pivotal role in providing technical leadership and guidance to ensure the alignment of strategies and services with the objectives of our customers, the company, and regulatory standards. This position is charged with the responsibility of overseeing high-impact, complex, time-sensitive, or critical challenges and orchestrating cross-departmental collaboration and execution to achieve successful outcomes.

As a Principal Engineer, you are entrusted with leading the development of innovative technical methods, techniques, and strategies in line with our business plans. Your industry-recognised expertise positions you as a mentor and influencer, offering guidance and knowledge transfer to technical staff within your specialised discipline.

Duties & Responsibilities

Technical Ability and Escalations

Provide expert service delivery to clients

Lead by example with administrative tasks such as ensuring logs are up to date and time is accounted for in systems as per the company policy

Oversee and manage the design, development, and implementation of technical solutions

Analyse technical challenges and develop solutions

Research and recommend new technologies, processes, and procedures

Proactively identifies opportunities to reuse or generalise existing services and product features

Exposes technology and organisational needs throughout the field.

Solves technical problems of the highest scope, complexity, and ambiguity for their customers and peers.

Interfaces with Senior Management and enables techs to engage on department-level aspects of larger initiatives

Looks for innovation opportunities between several teams

Proposes initial technical implementation to support architectural changes

Ensures company-wide goals are aligned across the technical team

Provides a point of escalation for complex technical challenges

Attain a measurable impact on the work of the technical team

Interact with customers and other external stakeholders

Exposes the work of the technical team and their business impact internally

Knowledgeable in all specialties practiced within the company

Provides clear and effective guidance for technical approaches to accomplish certification of designs by employing methodologies that bring the greatest overall value to the company

Provides technical review and approval of technical designs, especially those that are of high risk or new technology

Establishes and maintains relationships with essential internal and external technical experts to ensure technical expertise is available and program requirements are being achieved

Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Be aware of scope creep and ensure that work effort is aligned with quotes and services

Be an escalation point for senior engineers (L4)

Training and Development of Staff

Monitor and assess the performance of the technical team and provide feedback to Senior Management for growth and learning opportunities

Teach, mentor, grow, and provide advice and guidance to engineers and service staff

Provide technical leadership and mentoring of technical staff

Partner with management and HR to assist in recruiting, hiring, training, and employee performance evaluations

Assist with identifying new and existing talent to be introduced to the business

Project Management

Lead and manage technical projects from conception to completion as and when required

Align with the business technical methods, approaches, and products that meet the solution requirement

Take a leading role in projects that require thought leadership and guidance

Ensure we are on track regarding project tasks, providing assistance where required to project managers

Provides input and guidance during all phases of programs to solve challenging technical issues

Strive to meet project milestones on time in accordance with the project plan

Review and Audit Checks on Client Accounts

Conduct reviews and audits of clients to ensure compliance with technical standards and client requirements

Collaborate with internal teams to address any discrepancies or issues identified during the audit process

Provide technical input and guidance to rectify audit findings and ensure client satisfaction

Ensure customer technical documentation is up to date at all times and is accurate

Self Training and Development

Maintain architect level certifications in products and vendors that align with the organisation’s vision.

Actively grow your leadership and management skillset

Continuous development of leadership and management skills through various training interventions both through the company and personally.

General

Work closely with pre-sales department and sales department ensuring constant alignment

Communicate effectively via company communication tools (WhatsApp, Teams, CRM, Service Desk)

Lead by example always

Work with engineers to help them achieve their work targets

Ensure that you are in the office 3 days a week to assist the team and lead by example.

Be generous with your after-hours time to help your colleagues develop and learn from you

We are aware of and manage your stress levels to ensure you have a composed and calm demeanor always

Have a constant improvement mindset

Performance

Achieve your billable hours-based targets

Account for 100% of your time at the service desk

Ensure administration is always up to date in systems

Respond to work communications quickly and effectively

Have a “get it done now” attitude

Ensure sufficient diligence prior to escalation to management

Ensure matters that are escalated are done so timeously

Take accountability and responsibility for your role and duties

JOB REQUIREMENTS :

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering or a related field
• Proven experience in progressively responsible technical roles, including leadership positions
• Senior experience in system design, architecture, and implementation
• Proven track record of successful project management
• Strong technical and analytical skills
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work as part of a team and independently
• Knowledge of best practices and secure design principles
• Able to work effectively in stressful situations
• Open minded to personal growth and development
• A “can do now” mindset