Principal Specialist at MultiChoice

Purpose of the Position:

• To assist with the Design and implementation of multiple projects required by the VE group to enhance and optimize the MAM systems and how it integrates with all aspects of the broadcast workflows, our Cloud and IP strategies

Key Performance Objectives
Tasks
e.g. Operational delivery

• Perform day to day Support on Media Asset Management and VOD Systems
• MAM Infrastructure Support on Hardware and Software: Conduct monthly and routine maintenance on core Hardware and perform Software updates, patch deployment and Release management
• Architectural design and Support: Ensure/Manage Architectural System integration, through focused IP and Cloud convergence
• Automation of workflows: Design and implement automated functions through task-lists and coding. Manage changes to existing automated work-flows
• Provide technical advice and input to Group Projects. Act as the Group project technical advisor, and assign responsibilities to the MAM VOD team accordingly
• Diagnose and solve/remedy Technical, application and work-flow issues related to all systems, internal and external to the MAM environment
• Operating Systems: Manage a wide array of interoperable operating systems on the MAM network including the actual network infrastructure
• Database administration: Provide technical support on DB2 and perform monthly DB2 maintenance
• Application Support: Provide application support for VizRT Viz-One, Mayam, Orchestrator, Elemental, Media- Manager, DART, TSM, Logger, and Avid Gateway Assistant
• Development: Continuously develop Applications , towards IP, with remote assistance
• Monitoring systems: Proactively monitor systems for pre-emptive intervention, ensuring 100% uptime
• Storage Management: Manage and maintain multiple storage systems such as NAS, SAN, interconnectivity, GPFS, TSM, Tape-library, Ingest/playout servers and EMC SAN
• Design the technical aspects of Projects, and take accountability by overseeing the holistic deployment and implementation of these projects, through cross functional teams
• API: Facilitate open platform for integration
• Manage and ensure configurations
• System and Application Security: Implement and adhere to best practice and CDSA security protocols
• Monitor Transfers of material to ensure 100% file delivery
• Monitor Ingest activities: Ensure FTP applications and connections are online and functional
• Digital Library Management: Manage the IBM-ESS and TSM Hierarchical library’s and ensure bi-directional asset replication
• Ensure on time delivery of digital material for playout by Staging and delivering automated Schedules 24 hours before transmission/playout.
• Ensure the integrity of digital file management
• Monitor and manage storage resources for capacity and reclamation
• Provide support to the MAM First-line team
• Work shifts that require 24/7 cover on a standby basis
• Conduct Testing of scripts/bug fixes in Staging and Networking

Business Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Continuously optimize  hardware and software used in the MAM environment
• Provide strategic, forward thinking, technical input to MAM business planning through architectural design
• Conduct regular system/software security updates and Patch management

Stakeholder Management

• Follow through on issues with suppliers and the technical department and ensure alignment/the interface with the Manager

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement: Computer Science degree, RHCE, LPIC2, DB2 or equivalent

Experience

• 10+ years appropriate experience as a Linux Engineer in a senior position
• Linux support and maintenance with shell scripting (compulsory)
• Good understanding of SQL (compulsory)
• 7+ years appropriate experience in Other IT areas 
• 7+ years appropriate experience in SDI and IP Broadcast 
• Knowledge of the broadcast value chain (advantageous)
• Support of Enterprise hardware (Servers, SAN/DAS/NAS, Tape libraries)
• Support IBM 358X series LTOX Tape Storage Systems
• Network configuration fault finding and support (TCP/IP, DNS, Routing, FTP, HTTP, LDAP, NFS, NTP, SMB, etc.)
• Clustered File system (GPFS/GFS/etc.)
• Basic Perl programming
• Good understanding of MAM systems (Advantageous)
• Linux Experience:
  • Software installation, configuration, support and maintenance of:
    • Linux (RHEL/Centos)
    • Firewalling/Security (Iptables)
    • Virtualization with KVM/VirtualBox
    • Monitoring with Nagios and SNMP/Zennos
    • Dokuwiki for MAM online documentation and SOP's
    • Puppet configuration management
    •  MySQL database
    • Samba/NFS file servers 
    • Samba NFS autofs file mounts
    • Apache/Nginx web server/reverse proxy
    • Apache SOLR search engine
    • Apache ActiveMQ messagebus
    • User authentication management with Kerberos and Winbind
    • NTP time servers
    • Postfix Mail relay
    • Squid proxy cache
    • Commsvault backup client
    • Rsnapshot backups
  • Bash/Perl/Python scripting
• IT Experience:
  • Software installation, configuration, support and maintenance of:
    • Windows Server
    • Networking
    • IBM DB2/TSA/HADR
    • IBM TSM/Spectrum Protect
    • IBM GPFS/Spectrum Scale
    • Firewalling/Security 
    • Virtualization
    • Cloud computing 
    • Monitoring 
    • Remote server management with IMM/Raritan
  • SQL and BIRT reporting 
  • Business Analysis to determine client requirements
  • Data science to determine trends such as space/storage requirements
  • System architecture to determine hardware requirements to meet application requirements
  • Hardware installation, configuration, support and maintenance of: 
    • Lenovo/Dell/HP Intel servers 
    • IBM POWER servers 
    • HMC management consoles
    • TS3500/4500 Tape Library
    • IBM Elastic Storage
    • EMC VNX 
    • Infiniband switches and NIC's
• SDI and IP Broadcast Experience:
  • Analysis of video codecs/containers such as MXF/DNXHD/IMX/H264
  • Software installation, configuration, support and maintenance of MAM applications:
  • File delivery protocols
    • Viz One
    • DART
    • Mayam
    • Viz Connect
    • REST/SOAP API first line support
  • Integration with external broadcast systems and software including:
    • Omneon
    • Playout automation
    • Elemental
    • IRDETO
    • Isilon
    • Stornext
    • Baton
    • SDI router
    • IP Systems
    • Esched
    • Paradigm
    • Phoenix
    • Adstream/MediaMove
    • Social Media
    • Online platforms
    • VOD
    • SVOD
    • Antipiracy

Behavioural Competencies

• Relationship Building
• Conflict Resolution
• Decision Making
• Critical Appraisal
• Holistic Thinking
• Persuading & Influence
• Coaching

Technical Competencies

• Systems Analysis
• Project Management 
• IBM DB2 Administration
• Tivoli Storage Manager Administration xxx