Senior Systems Administrator

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 820,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Professional development

Certifications support

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to manage and protect our IT infrastructure, including Linux and Windows servers, virtualization, and backup systems. You will help optimize performance, patching, and security in a telecommunications context.

You will join a collaborative IT team in Bloemfontein, handling on-call support, documentation, and cross-functional coordination to ensure reliable service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in systems administration for enterprise server environments.
• In-depth knowledge of Linux and Windows Server operating systems.
• Proficiency with virtualization platforms (VMware vSphere or Hyper-V).
• Experience with scripting languages such as Bash, PowerShell, or Python for automation.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, DNS, DHCP, and firewall concepts.
• Experience with storage technologies (SAN, NAS) and backup solutions.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) is a plus.
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., MCSA, MCSE, RHCSA, RHCE) are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain Linux and Windows server operating systems.
• Manage server hardware, storage, and network devices.
• Implement and manage virtualization platforms (VMware vSphere and Hyper-V).
• Perform regular system patching, updates, and security hardening.
• Monitor performance, identify bottlenecks, and tune systems.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues promptly.
• Develop, implement, and test backup and disaster recovery strategies.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access control.
• Enforce security policies and procedures across systems.
• Collaborate with network engineers and application support teams.
• Maintain documentation of configurations and procedures.
• Provide on-call support for critical system issues.

Skills

Linux admin

Windows Server

Virtualization

Automation scripting

Networking basics

Security hardening

On-call support

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

VMware vSphere

Microsoft Hyper-V

Bash

PowerShell

Python

DNS

Job description

About the Role Our client, a major player in the telecommunications industry, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Administrator to manage and maintain their critical IT infrastructure in **Bloemfontein**, **Free State**. This role is essential for ensuring the stability, security, and performance of our servers, operating systems, and related hardware. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with Linux and Windows server environments, virtualization technologies, and network services. You will be responsible for system upgrades, patching, troubleshooting, and implementing robust backup and disaster recovery solutions. This is a key position within our IT operations team, contributing directly to the seamless delivery of our services in **Bloemfontein**.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain Linux and Windows server operating systems.
• Manage and maintain server hardware, storage, and network devices.
• Implement and manage virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware vSphere, Hyper-V).
• Perform regular system patching, updates, and security hardening.
• Monitor system performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement performance tuning measures.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and network issues in a timely manner.
• Develop, implement, and test backup and disaster recovery strategies.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access control.
• Ensure system security by implementing and enforcing security policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with network engineers and application support teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations and procedures.
• Provide on-call support for critical system issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in systems administration, with a strong focus on enterprise server environments.
• In-depth knowledge of Linux (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat) and Windows Server operating systems.
• Proficiency with virtualization technologies like VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Bash, PowerShell, or Python for automation.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, DNS, DHCP, and firewall concepts.
• Experience with storage technologies (SAN, NAS) and backup solutions.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) is a plus.
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., MCSA, MCSE, RHCSA, RHCE) are advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive medical aid plan, a provident fund, and opportunities for professional development and certifications. The role is based in **Bloemfontein**, **Free State**, providing a stable and supportive work environment within a growing telecommunications company. We encourage continuous learning and offer pathways for career advancement within the IT infrastructure team.