Mid/Senior Network Engineer

About us

1-grid is a leading web hosting company with a well-established customer base that is passionate about delivering top-quality hosting solutions to SMEs in South Africa. We're on a mission to grow businesses online with simple and reliable products, and we're looking for a Network Engineer to join our team and help us bring our vision to life.

Job purpose:

We seek a Senior Linux Network Engineer to maintain 1-grid's core network, aligning it with our business objectives. We mainly operate Cisco routers and switches with some Arista and Extreme switches in the mix. Familiarity with Cisco IOS is therefore essential however wider experience, including white-box switches and any network automation is welcome. We are looking for a Network Engineer who has worked on service provider (Data Centre) networks or has an excellent understanding of networks using BGP and combinations of IGPs (OSPF/IS-IS/EIGRP, etc.). You are required to be hands-on in both designing, deploying, maintaining, and taking ownership of network monitoring. This job requires you to automate and/or standardise network configuration management. You will make use of open-source platforms and tools where possible.

Duties and Responsibilities

Design, deploy, support, and maintain core network for Internet hosting business and support functions (office, VPN, etc.)
Thorough knowledge of IT infrastructure, TCP/IP, networking and information system security principles, practices, and technologies.
Research and analyse new network technologies as well as write proposals for upgrades of network infrastructure
Good analytical skills with the ability to document and present highly technical information in a coherent and informative manner
A passion for writing documentation and training other staff on operating platforms after they have been implemented 
Work with wider sysadmin team on integrating network functions into service offering
Demonstrable; in-depth technical expertise within an ICT environment consisting of extensive hands-on support and management of network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and other related devices.
Monitor network performance and integrity with appropriate escalation paths set up
Third-tier support of network issues
Automate network tasks and monitor their effectiveness; maintain technical documentation
Coach, train, and mentor team members on networking topics
Architecting, deploying, maintaining, and scaling platforms  
Create, oversee, and test network security measures
Write and implement networking protocols company-wide and within department policies and procedures
Suggest improvements to network performance, capacity, and scalability
Participate in business continuity and disaster recovery infrastructure planning, building and testing
Participate in the design, engineering, and delivery of IT projects
Be part of and support the wider system administrator team
Experience with containerization 
Experience in automating with ansible other tools 
Experience in administering and automating highly available Linux-based platforms preferably in a virtualised environment
Proven ability and interest in picking up new technologies quickly, leading evaluations and providing suggestions of key technologies to base future development around  Great problem-solving ability, especially under pressure
An ability to explain and articulate technical detail clearly to technical management and developers 
Experience with coding, ideally backend services in PHP, Python, reasonable understanding of web technologies

Qualification and Experience

Five or more years’ related experience as a Senior Network Engineer or Network Administrator
Experience with Cisco IOS, Extreme XOS and other router/switch/firewall operating systems
Strong Linux based system administration background (especially virtualisation, containerisation and cloud platforms)
Understanding of switching services such as (but not limited to) STP, VLAN, QinQ, COS, Switch Stacking, LACP and RSPAN.
Based on your designs, deliver customer solutions to agreed timescales, quality, and budget operating with a high degree of technical autonomy and self-administered technical project management.
Deep working knowledge of networking principles and technologies, ideally with specific experience of core internet routing technologies and associated infrastructure
Knowledge of scripting languages (ideally Python/Bash)
Professional certification is advantageous (e.g. CCNA, CCNP, CCDP, CCIE or equivalent), however, industry experience is also considered
Designing Service Provider networks utilising BGP, VXLAN/EVPN, OSPF, VRF, MPLS, etc.
In-depth understanding of communication protocols with advanced knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 technologies
Experience of open-source log analysis, configuration management and monitoring tools (e.g. ELK, Graylog, Ansible, Rancid, Nagios, Icinga, etc.)
Experience with network security, and implement MANRS best practices according to standard

Key competencies:

Uses a self – directed approach to responsibilities, projects, opportunities and identified issues
Organizational and mentoring skills;
ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Resilience with a positive can-do attitude
Experience of Agile working methodologies
Commercially astute
Interpret complex business cost models to make informed decisions and recommendations.
Proven problem-solving
Attention to detail
Good verbal and written communication skills
Agile
Analytical

Demonstrated capacity for gathering and scrutinizing data to identify issues, opportunities, and patterns.
This appointment will be made in accordance with the Company's Employment Equity Plan and preference will be given to people from Designated Groups and people with a disability, provided such job applicants meet the inherent criteria of the vacancy. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

In with the POPIA the usage of your personal data and sensitive personal data will be used for the following purposes, communicate with you regarding positions you have applied for, assess your skills, qualifications and suitability as well as obtain references and background checks when necessary.