{"id":2356827,"url":"https://alion.io/job/sars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract","title":"Senior Specialist: System Engineer (Fixed Term Contract)","company":{"id":1774497,"name":"SARS","domain":"sars.gov.za","url":"https://alion.io/company/sars-gov-za","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"SuccessFactors","truth_index":null},"role":"DevOps","role_family":"DevOps","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"contractor","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"inferred","locations":[],"countries":[],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Docker","optional":false},{"name":"Kubernetes","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"OpenShift","optional":false},{"name":"Red Hat","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-12T14:58:01Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-12","last_verified_at":"2026-10-14T17:50:15Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"description":"Position Reports to: Manager: Information Technology Service\nDivision: Strategy Enab & Modernisation\nLocation: Pretoria\nAdvert Closing Date: 26 October 2026\nAbout the Position\nConsult to business on technology solutions in the IBM WebSphere Application Server domain whilst ensuring 24/7 availability within all SARS BU platforms. OpenShift knowledge on containerization (Docker, OpenShift), Kubernetes orchestration will be an added advantage.\nJob Purpose\nTo be responsible for co-ordinating, programming, implementing and maintaining system architectures, including hardware, operating systems, and utilities, and related client services within the organisation and ensuring to meet service level agreements. To be responsible for identification and resolution of complex hardware and software technical problems and malfunctions related to network and related servers and makes decisions that are critical in the areas of performance analysis, problem solving, and infrastructure planning, with the potential to affect the successful execution of business transactions, ensuring a stable performance environment for the enterprise business processing system.\nEducation and Experience\nMinimum Qualification & Experience Required\nBachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) Information Technology AND8-10 years' experience in IBMWebSphere Application Server, of which 3-4 years at junior specialist level.\n#OR\n\nSenior Certificate (NQF 4) AND IT Qualification (s) / Certification (s), in Information Technologyand 8-10 years’ experience in IBMWebSphere Application Serveof which 3-4 years at junior specialist level,AND additional requirements specified in Min Functional requirements, where applicable.\nAiX: IBM AiX Certified Engineer, PowerHA, IBM Systems Director or relevant certification OR\nLINUX: SuSE Certified Professional or Linux Professional Certified Level 2 or Redhat Certified Technician OR\nWAS: IBM WebSphere Application Server Certified System Administrator or any other relevant certification\n#ALTERNATIVE\nSenior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 15 years IBM WebSphere Application Serverexperience of which 3-4 years at junior specialist level.\nJob Outputs:\nProcess\nAnalyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices. \nContribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans. \nDevelop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation. \nDraw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices. \nIntegrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes. \nOptimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain. \nPlan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence. \nProactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; best practice implementation solutions. \nRecommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation. \nTranslate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders. \nAdvising on programming, implementation and maintaining system architectures, including hardware, operating systems, and utilities, and related client services within the enterprise.\nAdvise on the identification and resolution of high-level hardware and software technical problems and malfunctions related to network and related servers.\nMakes decisions that are critical in the areas of performance analysis, problem solving, and infrastructure planning, with the potential to affect the successful execution of business transactions.\nProactively researches and locates necessary tools and processes to identify and proactively avert troublesome trends as they develop.\nAdvice on stable performance environment for the enterprise business processing system.\nParticipates in various IT projects intended to continually improve/upgrade the systems infrastructure.\nCollaborate with network staff to ensure smooth and reliable operation of software and systems for fulfilling business objectives and processes.\nConfiguring, debugging and supporting multiple infrastructure platforms.\nDeveloping, maintaining and supporting technical infrastructure, hardware and system software components and developed applications.\nPerforming high-level root-cause analysis for service interruption recovery and creating preventive measures.\nPerforming installation, maintenance and support of system software/hardware and user support.\nWork with executive team members, decision makers, and stakeholders to define business requirements and systems goals, and to identify and resolve business systems issues.\nCoordinate and perform in-depth tests, including end-user reviews, for modified and new systems.\nDesign and perform server and security audits, system backup procedures, and other recovery processes in accordance with the company's disaster recovery and business continuity strategies.\nEnsure compatibility and interoperability of in-house computing systems.\nEnsure system connectivity of all servers, shared software, groupware, and other applications.\nGauge the effectiveness and efficiency of existing systems; develop and implement strategies for improving or further leveraging these systems.\nIntegrate servers and their associated software into enterprise systems/solutions.\nMonitor and test system performance; prepare and deliver system performance statistics and reports.\nPropose and create system design models, specifications, diagrams, and charts to provide direction to system programmer and development teams.\nResponsible for building, implementing and maintaining system hardware and software architectures as well as to identify and resolve all hardware and software technical problems.\nParticipate in various IT projects intended to continually improve/upgrade the system infrastructure.\nEstablish systems programming standards and documentation requirements and play a key role in the integration of mainframe, midrange, shared systems and other computing architectures.\nAdvise and design in support of the management and support of the organisation's System operating systems and/or application server software and utilities infrastructure - Specialist coding for the optimisation of System systems to optimise workflow; coaching other engineers to resolutions, engineering and implementing complex projects, and for maintaining and overseeing the technology, ensuring alignment of IT strategy to business strategy.\nCreate and maintain documentation as it relates to system configuration, mapping, processes, and service records.\nGovernance\nDevelop and/or align governance and compliance policies for own practice area to identify and manage risk exposure liability.\nPeople\nIntegrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job. \nProvide specialist know-how, support, advice and practice thought leadership in area of expertise. \nFinance\nImplement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation.\nClient\nDevelop & ensure implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence & encourage others to provide exceptional stakeholder service. \nParticipate in the specialist practice community and contribute positively to organisation knowledge management. \nProvide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders. \nBehavioural competencies\nAccountability \nAnalytical Thinking \nAttention to Detail \nAdaptability\nBuilding Sustainability \nCommitment to Continuous Learning \nConceptual Ability \nFairness and Transparency\nHonesty and Integrity\nOrganisational Awareness \nProblem Solving and Analysis \nRespect\nTrust\nTechnical competencies\nBusiness IT Systems \nBusiness Knowledge \nComputer Literacy \nEfficiency improvement \nFunctional Policies and Procedures \nIT Knowledge \nIT Strategy and Planning \nReporting and Interpretation \nSystem Thinking \nCustomer Relationship Management\nTechnical Expertise\nIT Project Management\nKnowledge of IT Governance and Business \nProblem Analysis and Judgement\nVerbal Communication\nCompliance Competency\nGOC Confidential \nEmployment Equity\nThe Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.","description_format":"text","description_chars":9221,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Continuous learning","Equity"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Digital Government"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-12T14:58:01Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":8,"reasons":["conf:1","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-14T06:34:16Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/sars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/sars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-15T01:26:39Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":1878,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-16T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1774497},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1774497"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fsars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fsars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fsars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/sars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fsars-senior-specialist-system-engineer-fixed-term-contract"}]}