At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the migration to Red Hat OpenShift and optimise virtual machine operations.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, gym discounts, private medical insurance, and competitive pay.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming enterprise infrastructure with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years in systems engineering and strong Linux skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will lead the organisation's transformation from a VMware-based environment to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualisation. This role is responsible for the full migration lifecycle, as well as the day-to-day operation, optimisation, and maintenance of Virtual Machines (VMs) running on OpenShift. You will serve as a senior technical resource, providing deep expertise in virtualisation, Linux, Kubernetes/OpenShift, and enterprise infrastructure.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Infrastructure Design: Assist with the design of Bare Metal OpenShift clusters optimised for virtualisation, ensuring high performance for compute-heavy VM workloads.
- Modernisation & Migration: Lead the end-to-end migration lifecycle from VMware vSphere to OpenShift. This includes leveraging the Migration Toolkit for Virtualisation (MTV), performing pre-migration discovery, and executing "Warm Migrations" to minimise downtime for critical business stateful workloads.
- Storage Management: Experience configuring Portworx as the storage provider on top of Pure Storage.
- Backup & DR: Experience with managing backup and DR within Red Hat OpenShift environments. Assisting the DR team in configuring run books for Client DR Testing.
- Operational Excellence: Manage VM-specific "Day 2" operations, including Live Migration, node maintenance/draining, and high-availability (HA) scheduling.
- Optimize & Maintain: Proactively monitor our systems with CheckMK, manage storage on Pure Storage and HPE.
- Troubleshoot & Resolve: Act as a final escalation point for complex technical issues, performing deep-dive root cause analysis and collaborating with support teams to ensure timely resolution.
- Collaborate & Innovate: Work closely with a team of skilled engineers to share knowledge, improve processes, and evaluate emerging technologies.
- Provide Critical Support: Participate in a rotating on-call schedule to provide after-hours support for critical infrastructure.
- Flexibility: Ability to work weekends for project roll outs, maintenance tasks etc.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience Required/Preferred:
- 7-10 Years in Systems Engineering - Required
- 2-4 Years working directly with Kubernetes or OpenShift (MSP environment preferred) - Required
- 1-3 Years strong Linux administration skills - Required
Licenses and Certifications Required/Preferred:
- Red Hat Certified OpenShift Administrator - Required
- Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Virtualisation - Required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Virtualisation: Red Hat OpenShift, VMware ESXi/vCenter, Proxmox VE
- Cloud: Microsoft Azure (IaaS/PaaS)
- Application & Desktop Delivery: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Citrix NetScaler (ADC)
- Storage: Pure Storage, HPE
- Operating Systems: Windows Server, Linux
- Monitoring: CheckMK or similar enterprise monitoring tools
- Availability to work UK business hours with occasional evenings/weekends as part of the on-call rotation.
Attributes That Will Drive Success:
- Demonstrated ability to analyze root causes and implement long-term solutions.
- Ability to perform under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
- Self-starter with strong ownership, able to work independently while collaborating when needed.
Benefits Of Working For Abacus:
- Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply)
- Gym discount
- Life insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance for you and your family in line with scheme rules
- Confidential well-being and counselling support
- Competitive Compensation
- Contributory pension scheme
- Company events
- Private Medical and Dental Insurance
Sr. Systems Engineer in Edinburgh employer: Abacus Group
Contact Detail:
Abacus Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr. Systems Engineer in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects related to OpenShift and Kubernetes. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios related to systems engineering. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you feel more confident and ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are excited about joining us. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Systems Engineer in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Red Hat OpenShift, VMware, and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with Kubernetes and Linux!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex technical issues in the past. We love candidates who can analyse root causes and implement effective solutions, so let us know how you've done this!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abacus Group
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Red Hat OpenShift, VMware, and Kubernetes. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used these technologies, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of complex technical issues you've resolved in the past. Highlight your analytical skills and how you approach root cause analysis, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with a team, be ready to talk about your experience collaborating with others. Share instances where you’ve shared knowledge or improved processes within a team setting.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's infrastructure and future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.