Senior Infrastructure & Storage Architect at DeARX Services (Pty) Ltd

• 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