Senior System Engineer

Afrocentric IP; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Afrocentric IP in Johannesburg seeks a Senior System Engineer to design, implement, and maintain server, virtualization, storage, backup, and broader infrastructure for clients, focusing on high availability, security, and resilience.

You will lead infrastructure projects, resolve complex incidents, mentor junior engineers, and support disaster recovery and business continuity across Windows, Linux, VMware/Hyper‑V, and cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 6-8 years' experience in systems engineering or systems administration.
• At least 2 years' experience at a senior or lead level.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise server environments.
• Strong experience with Windows and Linux server administration.
• Advanced knowledge of virtualisation technologies such as VMware and/or Hyper‑V.
• Experience with storage technologies and infrastructure management.
• Experience with backup and disaster recovery solutions.
• Experience with cloud platforms is essential.
• Strong understanding of systems security principles and infrastructure hardening.
• Proficiency in monitoring, backup, and infrastructure management tools.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to mentor staff.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement server and virtualization infrastructure according to business and client requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend systems, platforms, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Improve infrastructure performance, scalability, availability, and resilience.
• Maintain accurate systems documentation, configuration records, and architecture diagrams.
• Ensure infrastructure designs align with security best practices and compliance requirements.
• Lead and deliver assigned systems infrastructure projects.
• Provide senior-level support for Windows and Linux server environments.
• Manage and support virtualization platforms such as VMware and Hyper‑V.
• Monitor system health, performance, availability, and capacity.
• Plan and execute system patching and upgrades.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex infrastructure incidents.
• Provide technical support to internal teams and clients as required.
• Manage and monitor backup and replication environments.
• Conduct backup verification and recovery testing.
• Support disaster recovery planning and testing.
• Maintain secure configurations across managed infrastructure environments.
• Mentor junior engineers and conduct knowledge-transfer sessions.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Server Administration

Windows & Linux

Cloud platforms

Security & hardening

Mentoring & leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Incident management

Education

Diploma or Degree in IT/CS

Tools

VMware

Hyper-V

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior System Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and supporting server, virtualisation, storage, backup, and systems infrastructure for Afrocentric IP and its clients. The role focuses on ensuring high availability, performance, security, and resilience across managed systems environments. The Senior System Engineer will provide senior-level technical expertise, lead infrastructure projects, resolve complex technical incidents, support disaster recovery and business continuity, and mentor junior systems and network engineers.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Architecture, Design & Implementation

• Design and implement server and virtualisation infrastructure according to business and client requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend systems, platforms, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Improve infrastructure performance, scalability, availability, and resilience.
• Maintain accurate systems documentation, configuration records, and architecture diagrams.
• Ensure infrastructure designs align with security best practices and compliance requirements.
• Participate in infrastructure planning, capacity planning, and technology improvement initiatives.
• Standardise systems configurations and technical processes where appropriate.

Server, Virtualisation & Infrastructure Support

• Provide senior-level support for Windows and Linux server environments.
• Manage and support virtualisation platforms such as VMware and Hyper‑V.
• Monitor system health, performance, availability, and capacity.
• Perform regular infrastructure health checks and system maintenance.
• Plan and execute system patching and upgrades.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex and escalated infrastructure incidents.
• Ensure systems remain available and perform within agreed service levels.
• Provide technical support to internal teams and clients where required.

Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Manage and monitor backup and replication environments.
• Ensure critical systems are backed up according to defined requirements.
• Conduct backup verification and recovery testing.
• Investigate and resolve backup failures.
• Support disaster recovery planning and implementation.
• Participate in disaster recovery testing and recovery exercises.
• Ensure critical systems can be recovered within agreed business requirements.
• Maintain accurate backup and disaster recovery documentation.

Security, Risk & Compliance

• Implement and maintain systems security controls and hardening standards.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and assist with remediation activities.
• Apply security patches and updates within agreed timelines.
• Monitor systems for security risks and configuration weaknesses.
• Ensure infrastructure complies with internal security policies and client requirements.
• Support security audits and compliance assessments.
• Assist with business continuity and information security initiatives.
• Maintain secure configurations across managed infrastructure environments.

Project Delivery & Mentorship

• Lead and deliver assigned systems infrastructure projects.
• Plan technical activities, resources, and implementation requirements.
• Ensure infrastructure projects are delivered within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior systems and network engineers.
• Conduct knowledge-transfer and skills‑development sessions.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and technical documentation.
• Support the development and implementation of infrastructure best practices.
• Assist with technical planning and solution design for client projects.

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 6-8 years' experience in systems engineering or systems administration.
• At least 2 years' experience at a senior or lead level.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise server environments.
• Strong experience with Windows and Linux server administration.
• Advanced knowledge of virtualisation technologies such as VMware and/or Hyper‑V.
• Experience with storage technologies and infrastructure management.
• Experience with backup and disaster recovery solutions.
• Experience with cloud platforms is essential.
• Strong understanding of systems security principles and infrastructure hardening.
• Proficiency in monitoring, backup, and infrastructure management tools.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior technical staff.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage complex technical incidents.
• Ability to participate in after‑hours support and standby duties when required.
• Relevant industry certifications such as Microsoft Certified, VMware VCP, Red Hat, or equivalent are required.
• Own reliable transport is required.
• Willingness to travel to client sites in Gauteng and outside Gauteng when required.

Key Competencies

• Systems Engineering
• Server Administration
• Windows & Linux
• VMware & Hyper‑V
• Virtualisation
• Infrastructure Architecture
• Storage Management
• Backup & Disaster Recovery
• Systems Security
• Infrastructure Monitoring
• Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
• Incident Management
• Capacity Planning
• Project Delivery
• Business Continuity
• Risk & Compliance
• Technical Documentation
• Mentoring & Knowledge Transfer
• Client Support
• Communication
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Ability to Work Under Pressure

Why Join Afrocentric IP?

Join a forward-thinking team delivering enterprise IT Consulting, Business Continuity, Information Security, Infrastructure, and Resilience solutions across South Africa.

As a Senior System Engineer, you'll play a key role in designing, supporting, and improving critical technology infrastructure for Afrocentric IP and its clients. You'll have the opportunity to work with enterprise server, virtualisation, cloud, backup, security, and disaster recovery environments while providing technical leadership and mentoring junior engineers.