Senior Network Administrator

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Senior Network Administrator to join our IT infrastructure team in Randburg, Gauteng. This hybrid role combines hands-on network management with the flexibility of remote work, ensuring a secure and efficient network backbone for the organization.

You will design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot complex network infrastructure, lead and mentor junior staff, and collaborate with cross-functional IT teams to ensure peak performance and security.

Qualifications

• Senior level/network engineer experience with hands-on design and support.
• Proven ability to mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
• Monitor performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize networks.
• Implement and manage firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS for security.
• Plan upgrades and migrations to enhance capacity.
• Maintain IP addressing, DNS/DHCP services.
• Collaborate with IT teams for integrated infrastructure.

Skills

TCP/IP

OSPF/BGP

VLANs

Troubleshooting

Network security concepts

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT or equivalent

CCNA or CCNP or CompTIA Network+

Tools

Cisco devices

Juniper devices

SolarWinds

Nagios

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a seasoned and dedicated Senior Network Administrator to join their IT infrastructure team in Randburg, Gauteng . This hybrid role combines the necessity of hands‑on network management with the flexibility of remote work, offering a balanced professional experience. You will be responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of our client's complex network infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability. The ideal candidate possesses extensive knowledge of various network protocols, hardware, and software, coupled with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. You will work closely with IT teams to support business operations, manage network upgrades, and implement new network solutions. This position is perfect for a proactive individual who thrives in a dynamic environment and is committed to maintaining a secure and efficient network backbone for the organization. We are looking for someone who can lead by example and mentor junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain network hardware, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
• Monitor network performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions for optimization.
• Ensure the security of the network by implementing and managing firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network connectivity and performance issues promptly.
• Develop and maintain network documentation, including diagrams, configurations, and standard operating procedures.
• Plan and execute network upgrades and migrations to enhance capacity and capabilities.
• Manage IP addressing, subnetting, and DNS/DHCP services.
• Collaborate with other IT teams to ensure seamless integration of network services with other infrastructure components.
• Implement and maintain network monitoring tools to ensure proactive issue detection.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest networking technologies and security best practices.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Network Administrator or Network Engineer, with a significant portion at a senior level.
• In-depth knowledge of TCP/IP, routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP), switching technologies, and VLANs.
• Hands‑on experience with network security devices and concepts (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS).
• Proficiency in configuring and managing enterprise-level network hardware from vendors like Cisco, Juniper, or similar.
• Experience with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios).
• Strong understanding of DNS, DHCP, and related network services.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+, or equivalent are highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced certifications.
• Exposure to a diverse and modern network infrastructure.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• A stable and supportive team environment.