About Company
ZESA Holdings is Zimbabwe’s sole electricity generator, transmitter, and distributor, playing a critical role in powering the nation’s economy and households. With a legacy spanning decades, ZESA is committed to providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions. Our operations in Kariba are central to national power generation, housing the iconic Kariba South Hydroelectric Power Station. We are continuously investing in robust IT infrastructure to support our complex operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) environments, ensuring the seamless flow of energy and data. Joining ZESA means contributing to a vital national asset, working with cutting-edge technology in critical infrastructure, and being part of a team dedicated to innovation and national development. We foster a challenging yet rewarding environment where professional growth is encouraged, and your contributions directly impact national progress.
Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Infrastructure Engineer to join our dynamic team in Kariba, Mashonaland West Province. This pivotal role involves designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing ZESA’s critical IT and OT infrastructure, ensuring the highest levels of reliability, security, and performance. As a Senior Infrastructure Engineer, you will be instrumental in managing servers, storage, networking components, virtualization platforms, and cloud environments that underpin our national power generation and distribution systems. You will provide expert technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and contribute significantly to strategic planning for future infrastructure growth and modernization initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise across various infrastructure domains, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a strong commitment to operational excellence in a mission-critical environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of national infrastructure, directly impacting Zimbabwe’s energy security and digital transformation journey, contributing to projects that have a tangible impact on the lives of millions.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain scalable, secure, and highly available IT and OT infrastructure solutions, including servers, storage, networking (LAN/WAN/VPN), and virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V).
- Administer and optimize Windows and Linux server environments, ensuring robust performance, security, and compliance with industry standards.
- Manage and troubleshoot complex network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers, with a strong focus on Cisco and Fortinet technologies.
- Develop and implement robust backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies for critical systems to minimize downtime and data loss.
- Monitor system performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement proactive solutions to prevent outages and optimize resource utilization.
- Ensure the security of all infrastructure components, adhering to best practices, ZESA security policies, and relevant regulatory compliance standards.
- Lead infrastructure projects from conception to completion, including planning, budget management, execution, and comprehensive documentation.
- Provide expert-level support and troubleshooting for complex infrastructure issues, acting as an escalation point for junior staff.
- Mentor and guide junior infrastructure engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and professional development.
- Collaborate effectively with other IT teams, operational technology specialists, and business stakeholders to define requirements and deliver solutions that meet organizational needs.
- Evaluate and recommend new technologies and solutions to enhance infrastructure capabilities, improve efficiency, and support ZESA's strategic objectives.
Required Skills
- Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in IT infrastructure engineering within an enterprise environment.
- Proficiency in server operating systems (Windows Server, various Linux distributions like Red Hat, Ubuntu).
- Strong expertise in virtualization technologies (VMware vSphere preferred, Hyper-V, KVM).
- In-depth knowledge of networking principles, protocols, and hardware (TCP/IP, VLANs, routing protocols such as OSPF/BGP, switching, firewalls, VPNs).
- Demonstrable experience with enterprise storage solutions (SAN, NAS, object storage) and comprehensive data backup/recovery strategies.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) concepts and experience in designing and implementing hybrid cloud deployments.
- Strong understanding of IT security best practices, infrastructure hardening, and incident response procedures.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a high-pressure, mission-critical operational technology environment.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CCNA/CCNP, MCSA/MCSE, VCP, ITIL Foundation, CompTIA Security+).
- Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus, Grafana) and centralized log management systems (ELK stack).
- Knowledge of scripting languages (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python) for automation and infrastructure as code (IaC) principles.
- Previous experience in a utility, energy, or critical infrastructure environment, particularly with operational technology (OT) systems.
- Familiarity with industrial control systems (ICS) or SCADA networks and their unique security and operational requirements.
- Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses linked to individual and company performance.
- Comprehensive health insurance plan covering medical, dental, and vision.
- Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.
- Extensive professional development and training opportunities, including certifications and workshops.
- Robust pension scheme contributions to support your long-term financial security.
- Significant opportunities for career growth and advancement within a national institution.
- Subsidized housing options in Kariba (subject to availability and policy).
- Access to ZESA staff wellness programs and employee assistance initiatives.
- Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Kariba.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to click on the application link below to submit their detailed CV and a comprehensive cover letter, outlining their relevant experience and qualifications for this crucial role. Please ensure your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience align with the requirements of a Senior Infrastructure Engineer at ZESA Holdings and specifically highlight your experience in critical infrastructure environments. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially welcoming you to our team.