Employer: Internal IT Team / Software Development Firm (Pharmaceutical Sector)
Reference ID: 278275
Industry: Information Technology, Software Development, Systems Administration & HealthTech
Location: Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa (On-Site + Local Travel)
Position Type: Full-Time Permanent
Experience Level: 3 to 5 Years Experience
Compensation: Market-Related Administrative & Systems Salary
Published Date: 21 August 2026
Closing Date: 30 November 2026
About the Enterprise & The IT Systems Role
A leading software development company providing specialized digital solutions to the pharmaceutical industry is recruiting a responsible, reliable, and hands-on IT Support & Systems Technician (Ref ID: 278275) based in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Working directly within the internal IT team, the technician will manage internal desktop support, Microsoft 365 administration, endpoint security, backup restores, asset tracking, and basic web hosting workflows. Crucially, the role involves supporting production server builds, travelling to data center co-location facilities for physical server hardware deployments, and visiting supplier premises or remote staff locations when required.
Key Responsibilities & Systems Administration Focus
The IT Support & Systems Technician will execute eight core operational functions:
1. Desktop, Hardware & User Support
- End-User Assistance: Provide day-to-day desktop hardware, peripheral, and software support to internal staff, including account provisioning, password resets, and workstation setups.
- Ticketing Management: Use help desk/ticketing platforms to log, categorize, track, and resolve support tickets within SLA parameters.
2. Server Builds, Data Center Operations & Deployment
- Production Server Builds: Assist with server builds, take new software releases live in production, and conduct post-deployment health monitoring.
- Data Center Facility Travel: Travel to the local co-location data center facility for physical server installations, rack mounting, and hardware maintenance.
3. Network, SFTP & Infrastructure Administration
- Server & Network Support: Support basic Windows Server environments, diagnosing local network, VPN, and internal web application outages.
- SFTP & SSH Keys: Manage SFTP/FTP server access and maintain SSH key-based authentication for secure data transfers.
4. Microsoft 365, Endpoint Security & Backups
- M365 Management: Administer Microsoft 365 user accounts, Teams, Outlook mailboxes, and licensing allocations.
- Antivirus & Backups: Monitor endpoint antivirus protection, track daily automated server backups, and perform system/file restores for business continuity.
5. Asset Tracking, Procurement & Vendor Liaison
- Asset Management: Maintain an accurate register of hardware and software assets, tracking lifecycle status, repairs, and allocations.
- Procurement: Request hardware/software quotes from vendors and coordinate physical equipment repairs with external suppliers.
6. Documentation & Reporting
- Knowledge Base: Draft and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical knowledge-base articles, and weekly IT activity reports for line management.
Candidate Profile & Minimum Entry Requirements
To qualify for consideration for Reference 278275, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Educational Qualifications:
- Completed Grade 12 / Matric Certificate (Mandatory).
- Completed Diploma or Industry Certification in IT (e.g., CompTIA A+, Network+) (Highly Preferred).
- Work Experience:
- At least 3 to 5 years of experience in a helpdesk, desktop support, or junior systems administration role (Mandatory).
- Licensing & Vehicle Requirements (CRITICAL):
- Must possess a Valid South African Driver’s License AND access to a reliable, roadworthy personal vehicle for regular travel to data center sites, suppliers, and staff homes (Mandatory — On-site role, not hybrid/remote).
- Technical Skill Stack:
- Desktop hardware maintenance, software installation, and basic network troubleshooting.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 user and mailbox administration.
- Hands-on exposure to SFTP/FTP administration and SSH key-based authentication.
- Familiarity with Windows Server environments, backup/restore procedures, and antivirus endpoint tools.
- Comfortable using help desk ticketing systems and asset management software.
- Nice-to-Haves (Advantageous):
- Exposure to firewall technologies, network security concepts, Microsoft Azure cloud, virtualization, or hosting operations.
- Personal Attributes:
- Self-motivated, independent, detail-oriented, and reliable when handling credentials and sensitive pharmaceutical partner data.
Position Benefits
- Diverse Infrastructure Exposure: Balance day-to-day user support with high-level data center hardware and production server builds.
- Healthcare Tech Industry: Build a career in the specialized pharmaceutical software sector.
- Growth Environment: Direct mentorship from the IT Operations Manager with independent operational responsibilities.
Career Advice for Applicants
- Highlight Driving Capability: State clearly in your CV summary that you possess a valid driver’s license and own personal vehicle for data center travel.
- Detail Server & SFTP/SSH Experience: Feature any experience with Windows Server, SFTP accounts, or SSH key management prominently on page 1 of your CV.
- Reference Code in Subject Line: Always include reference ID 278275 when applying via portal or email.
Sample Selection & Interview Questions
Systems Administration & Data Center Operations
- Question (SSH & SFTP): “How do you configure and manage SSH key-based authentication for secure SFTP data exchanges between internal servers and external partners?”
- Question (Data Center / Disaster Recovery): “What procedure do you follow when verifying daily backup jobs, and how do you execute a file restore test to ensure business continuity?”
How to Apply
Apply online directly via the official tech careers portal using Ref ID: 278275:
- Employer: Pharmaceutical Software Enterprise
- Reference ID: 278275
- Location: Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Position: IT Support & Systems Technician