Cape Town: NOC – Systems Engineer (Microsoft) posted by Pure Placements (PTY) LTD

Location: Century City – Onsite

Job Summary:
Our client is looking for a skilled and motivated Systems Engineer to join their team. In this role, you will be responsible for the proactive monitoring, incident management, and maintenance of client infrastructure and systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, excellent problem-solving abilities, and a customer-focused mindset.

Key Responsibilities:

NOC Operations and Monitoring:

• Proactively monitor client infrastructure, applications, and security systems using N-Central and PRTG.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of alerts, adhering to defined escalation paths and SLAs.
• Refine monitoring thresholds, rules, and dashboards within N-Central and PRTG to optimize alert accuracy and reduce noise.
• Collaborate with other technical teams to implement and improve monitoring strategies for new and existing client environments.
• Analyse alert trends and identify potential underlying issues or recurring problems, contributing to proactive problem management.

Incident Management and Response:

• Lead the initial triage and troubleshooting of alerts, providing first-level support and gathering critical diagnostic information.
• Coordinate with other technical teams (e.g., Service Desk, Engineering) for efficient incident resolution and escalation when necessary.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of all alerts, incidents, and remediation steps within the ticketing system.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of knowledge base articles and troubleshooting guides for common issues.

Reporting and Communication:

• Generate regular reports on NOC performance, alert trends, and SLA adherence.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and, when necessary, clients regarding the status of critical incidents and planned maintenance.
• Participate in regular service review meetings, providing insights into the health and performance of client environments.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a NOC role, preferably within an MSP environment.
• Proficiency in using N-Central for remote monitoring and management.
• Strong working knowledge of PRTG for infrastructure and application monitoring.
• Experience with Windows Server 2012 R2 / 2016 / 2019 / 2022.
• Familiarity with Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, IIS, PKI, and related technologies.
• Hands-on experience with VMware vSphere 6.5+ and Hyper-V 2012+.
• Fundamental understanding of SANs, NAS, VLANs, routing, firewall behaviour, and packet shaping.
• Knowledge of Exchange 2016 and above is desirable.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., PowerShell, Python) for automation is a strong advantage.
• ITIL Foundation certification or higher is a plus.
• Relevant technical certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Server+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate) are desirable.

Behavioral Characteristics and Competencies:

• Ability to within a team environment effectively.
• Comfortable working remotely or onsite as required.
• Highly motivated, disciplined, and ambitious with a strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to perform well under pressure and meet challenging targets.
• Innovative mindset with a focus on creating value and driving continuous service improvement.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• A self-starter who thrives in a multi-skilled team environment.
• Ability to learn quickly and mentor more junior colleagues.