Senior Systems Administrator

Job Description

The Senior Systems Administrator reports to the Head of Systems Architecture. The role involves actively maintaining existing systems along with the planning and implementation of new hardware and software to meet the future needs of this busy and exciting visual effects company. 

As Senior Systems Administrator, expect to work with all studio levels/departments in a fast paced environment. The Senior Systems Administrator’s key function is to support a diverse multi-platform network and infrastructure consisting of; high performance network storage, render farm, high end workstations and GPUs, extensive environments and multiple visual effects software packages. The role will see you responsible for the mentoring and training of a team of three people. Although NVIZ fully supports remote working, including for technical staff, the role will require a significant on-site presence in central London every week.

RESPONSIBILITIES

● Maintaining current and implementation of new systems and hardware

● Performing research and development for technical strategy and future systems; define and advocate solutions and options using SWOT metrics

● Providing 2nd/3rd level escalation support for more complex incidents

● Mentoring and training team members

● Collaborate with pipeline team to resolve cross-department technical problems and diagnose root causes of problems

TECHNICAL SKILLS

● 5+ years Linux experience (required)

● 5+ years Windows experience (required)

● 3+ years experience with scripting languages (e.g. Python, bash, tcsh, Powershell)

(required)

● Experience managing large multi-platform environments - ideally mixed Windows/Linux environments (required)

● Proficiency with network design and protocols such as DNS, DHCP, VLANs, LACP,

CARP/VRRP, firewalls (required)

● Proficiency with VPN systems, esp OpenVPN (required)

● Proficiency with file sharing protocols such as SMB, NFS (required)

● Proficiency in usage of container based virtualisation with docker. (required)

● Experience of mentoring and training junior staff in best practices (required)

● Experience of Remote Working/VDI systems esp. RGS (preferred)

● Knowledge of Cloud architecture, management and connectivity, esp Azure (required).

● Experience managing high performance network attached storage environments,

preferably Pixstor/GPFS (required)

● Experience of writing high quality documentation (required)

● Experience of supporting core visual effects packages such as Nuke, Maya, Shotgun

and Adobe Creative Cloud (required)

● Experience of providing formal and informal training (preferred)

● Experience in systems hardening and security best practices (preferred)

● Experience of managing and supporting render farms, esp. Deadline (preferred)

● Experience in using development tools such as git, JIRA, Confluence (preferred)

● Knowledge of software development best practices CI/CD/DevOps (preferred)

● A firm understanding of Previs/VFX/CG shot production, processes and terminology (preferred)

● Experience of configuring and supporting LTO backup solutions such as Archiware, Bacula (preferred)

● Experience of managing license server software such as RLM, flexLM (preferred)

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

● Excellent organisational, communication and time management skills

● Strong attention to detail

● Resourceful and proactive in gathering information, making a decision and taking action

● Able to manage own workload and balance conflicting priorities

● Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment including remote members of the team

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gq46y6-18-191-234-191-42 in your application.