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: Flexible work hours 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 experience with Kubernetes/OpenShift required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ 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
- Experience: 7-10 Years Systems Engineering
- Required Experience: 2-4 Years working directly with Kubernetes or OpenShift (MSP environment preferred), 1-3 Years strong Linux administration skills
- Licenses and Certifications: Red Hat Certified OpenShift Administrator (Required/Preferred), Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Virtualisation (Required)
- Professional Association: Red Hat Certified OpenShift Administrator (Required/Preferred), 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 employer: Abacus Group
Contact Detail:
Abacus Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr. Systems Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects related to Kubernetes, OpenShift, or any other relevant tech. 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. Use mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable discussing your experience with virtualisation and Linux systems.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Linux, as these are key areas for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in virtualisation and infrastructure design.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for systems engineering and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues. We love candidates who can analyse root causes and implement long-term solutions, so share examples of when you've done this in past roles.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abacus Group
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Linux. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used these technologies, especially in migration scenarios. The more you can demonstrate your hands-on experience, the better!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle real-world challenges, like a failed migration or troubleshooting a complex issue. Think through your past experiences and be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to resolve problems.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role involves working closely with other engineers and teams. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, whether it was sharing knowledge or improving processes. Highlighting your teamwork will show you're a great fit for their culture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have some thoughtful questions ready about their current projects or challenges they face with OpenShift. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.