Systems Engineer Tech Lead (UNIX/LINUX)

Paracon; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 100 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African IT firm is seeking a Systems Engineering Tech Lead to manage and enhance their critical UNIX/Linux and AIX infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of experience in systems engineering, with expertise in automation and stability. Responsibilities include team leadership, performance management, and security compliance. This role offers an exciting opportunity to drive significant technical evolution within the largest private-sector IT team in South Africa.

Qualifications

• 6+ years as a Systems Engineer with a focus on designing, implementing, and administering complex IT systems.
• Relevant industry or system certifications are essential.
• Experience with Advanced Roadmaps Admin knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Engineers and Administrators.
• Manage availability and performance of UNIX/Linux and AIX infrastructure.
• Implement scripts for daily administration and deployments.

Skills

Expert-level administration knowledge on UNIX/Linux platforms

Scripting and/or automated deployments

Incident response

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Advanced troubleshooting

Education

Degree/Diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field

Tools

Python

Bash

PowerShell

Job description

Are you ready to lead the infrastructure that powers some of South Africa's most recognized retail brands? We are looking for an expert-level Systems Engineer to serve as the Tech Lead for our mission-critical UNIX/LINUX and AIX environment.

If you thrive on complexity, possess deep technical aptitude, and are passionate about automation and stability, this is your opportunity to join the IT team of South Africa's largest private‑sector employer.

As the Systems Engineering Tech Lead, you won't just maintain systems—you'll lead their evolution.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Systems Leadership

• Technical Guidance: Lead and mentor a team of Engineers and Administrators supporting 460+ SLES/Redhat and 97 AIX LPARS.
• Availability & Performance: Own the overall structure, availability, and performance management of our extensive UNIX/LINUX and AIX infrastructure.
• Automation: Drive efficiency by writing and implementing sophisticated scripts (Python, Bash) for daily administration and deployments.

Stability & Security

• Security & Compliance: Lead server security remediation, including vulnerability scanning and patching to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Disaster Recovery (DR): Lead DR management procedures, ensuring environment synchronisation and successful coordination of DR trials.
• RCA & Incident Management: Act as the expert escalation point, providing advanced troubleshooting, incident response, and leading detailed Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

Experience and qualification

• 6+ years as a Systems Engineer with a focus on designing, implementing, and administering highly complex IT systems.
• Expert‑level administration knowledge on UNIX/Linux platforms (SLES/Redhat/AIX) and relevant support tools.
• Degree/Diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Certification Relevant industry or system certifications (essential).
• Functional Skills Solid experience in incident response, RCA, advanced troubleshooting, and working in a large infrastructure environment (Advanced Roadmaps Admin knowledge is key).
• Highly Beneficial experience with scripting and/or automated deployments using Python, PowerShell, Bash, etc.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional Leadership Skills: Ability to coach, mentor, and energise others.
• Detail‑Oriented & Quality Focused: High affinity for structure, precision, and efficiency.
• Excellent Problem‑Solving Skills: Able to assimilate complex information to drive optimal solutions.