We are looking for a Senior Infrastructure & Storage Architect for a 12- month contract role in Sandton. The role is responsible for providing deep technical expertise, strategic guidance, and advisory across multiple infrastructure domains, ensuring the successful integration of solutions aligned to the Bank's overall technology strategy.
This role plays a critical part in delivering sustainable, secure, and high-performing infrastructure solutions while uplifting internal technical capability and standards.
Key Technical Requirements
Operating Systems & Platforms
UNIX: Solaris & AIX (Advanced)
Linux: Red Hat (RHCE Certified preferred)
Microsoft Windows Server (Advanced)
Virtualisation & Cloud
VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
Exposure to hybrid cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP advantageous)
Networking
Cisco Fabric technologies
Cisco Nexus switching
SAN networking: Cisco MDS & Brocade switches
Storage & Hardware
Enterprise storage platforms:
EMC / Dell Compellent
Hitachi (VSP, HUS, HUSVM)
Server hardware:
Dell, HP, Intel
Cisco UCS
Sun Server Hardware
Backup & Recovery
NetBackup
Commvault
Load Balancing & Security
F5 BigIP
Core Responsibilities
Storage Engineering & Architecture
Design and implement enterprise storage solutions across SAN, NAS, Object Storage, and Hyper-Converged Infrastructure.
Configure, optimise, and manage storage arrays (Dell, Hitachi, NetApp, Pure Storage).
Define and implement storage tiering strategies aligned to performance, cost, and workload requirements.
Develop capacity planning models and forecasting reports.
Lead storage refreshes, upgrades, migrations, and consolidation initiatives.
Backup & Recovery Management
Architect and implement backup solutions using platforms such as Commvault, Veeam, TSM, Rubrik, or Cohesity.
Define backup policies, retention schedules, and media lifecycle management.
Implement Disaster Recovery (DR) strategies and conduct regular recovery testing.
Optimise backup performance including deduplication, compression, and storage efficiency.
Integrate backup solutions with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP).
Archiving & Compliance
Design and implement enterprise archiving strategies for structured and unstructured data.
Deploy archiving solutions (e.g., IBM Optim, Mimecast, Enterprise Vault, cloud-native tools).
Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks including:
POPIA
PFMA
SARB
SARS
National Archives Act
Drive data lifecycle management, classification, and defensible retention strategies.
Technical Leadership & Advisory
Provide subject matter expertise across infrastructure, storage, and backup domains.
Guide solution design and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards.
Mentor and upskill internal teams to build technical capability.
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements.
Integration & Solution Delivery
Ensure seamless integration across infrastructure platforms (compute, storage, network, backup).
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including security, application, and cloud teams.
Support large-scale transformation and modernisation programmes.
Maintain high standards of documentation, governance, and operational excellence.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
Relevant Degree/Diploma in IT, Computer Science, or Engineering
RHCE Certification (preferred)
VMware Certified Professional (required)
8 - 12+ years of experience in enterprise infrastructure environments
Proven experience within banking or financial services (highly advantageous)
Key Competencies
Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Ability to operate in high-pressure, enterprise environments
Strategic thinking with hands-on technical capability
Strong governance, risk, and compliance awareness
Nice to Have
Exposure to automation (Ansible, Terraform, scripting)
Experience with cloud-native storage and backup solutions
ITIL / COBIT certification