Senior Systems Administrator - Linux

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Linux Systems Administrator to join our client in Polokwane. You will manage Linux servers (RHEL/CentOS/Ubuntu), automate tasks with Bash and Python, and ensure security, backups, and high availability for telecom infrastructure.

You'll monitor systems with Nagios/Zabbix/Prometheus, work with VMware/KVM virtualization, and collaborate with network and application teams. On-call support is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years Linux SysAdmin experience.
• Strong knowledge of RHEL/CentOS/Ubuntu.
• Bash and at least one other language (Python/Perl).
• Experience with DNS, DHCP, Apache/Nginx, SSH.
• Familiarity with virtualization (VMware, KVM).
• Security hardening and patching experience.
• Monitoring with Nagios/Zabbix/Prometheus.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, manage, and maintain Linux servers in production.
• Monitor performance, resolve bottlenecks, ensure high availability.
• Implement security measures, firewalls, patches, and hardening.
• Develop and maintain backup and DR solutions.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access control.
• Automate routine tasks using Bash, Python or Perl.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues.
• Perform updates, upgrades, and migrations.
• Document configurations and procedures.
• Collaborate with IT teams for seamless telecom support.
• Provide on-call support for critical issues.

Skills

Linux Admin

Bash scripting

Python scripting

DNS

DHCP

Apache/Nginx

SSH

VMware

KVM virtualization

Security hardening

Nagios

Zabbix

Prometheus

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

VMware

KVM

Nagios

Zabbix

Prometheus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading telecommunications service provider, is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Administrator with a strong focus on Linux environments to join their team in Polokwane . This role is crucial for maintaining the health, security, and performance of our client's critical server infrastructure. You will be responsible for managing, troubleshooting, and optimizing a complex Linux-based system landscape that supports essential telecom operations. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with deep technical expertise in Linux administration and a proactive approach to system management. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a vital infrastructure within the telecommunications sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, manage, and maintain Linux servers (e.g., CentOS, Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux) in a production environment.
• Monitor system performance, identify and resolve bottlenecks, and ensure high availability of services.
• Implement and manage system security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and patching.
• Develop and maintain robust backup and disaster recovery solutions.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls.
• Automate routine administrative tasks using scripting languages (e.g., Bash, Python).
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues related to Linux systems.
• Perform regular system updates, upgrades, and migrations.
• Document system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps.
• Collaborate with other IT teams to ensure seamless integration and support of telecommunications services.
• Provide on-call support as needed for critical system issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience as a Linux Systems Administrator in a demanding environment.
• In-depth knowledge of Linux operating systems (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu).
• Proficiency in shell scripting (Bash) and at least one other scripting language (e.g., Python, Perl).
• Experience with network services such as DNS, DHCP, Apache/Nginx, and SSH.
• Strong understanding of server hardware, storage solutions, and virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, KVM).
• Experience with security hardening, patching, and vulnerability management.
• Familiarity with monitoring tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience within the telecommunications industry in Polokwane is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical aid, and a retirement fund. Employees benefit from ongoing training and development, opportunities to work with diverse technologies, and a supportive team environment. This role requires your physical presence at our client's operations center in Polokwane .