Senior Systems Administrator and Cybersecurity Lead

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive systems professional to join our established technology company based in Hamilton East as a Senior Systems Administrator and Cybersecurity Lead. This position demands comprehensive ownership and enhancement of the technology systems that support our business operations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing internal systems, cloud infrastructure, customer-hosting environments, and cybersecurity initiatives. You will act as the key escalation contact for complex security and system challenges, collaborating closely with company leadership, software engineers, and project teams.

The ideal applicant demonstrates strong technical skill, prudent judgment, and commercial awareness. You will understand that effective technical solutions must balance security, reliability, customer impact, cost, and overall business objectives. You will be inquisitive, risk-aware, and capable of communicating technical details effectively to diverse audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain internal IT systems, networks, servers, and cloud services.
• Supervise customer-hosting platforms ensuring optimal performance and security.
• Lead cybersecurity strategies and improvements across the company.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate infrastructure and cybersecurity risks.
• Oversee system access controls, apply patches, harden systems, and remediate vulnerabilities.
• Maintain robust monitoring, logging, and alerting frameworks.
• Direct responses to significant cybersecurity or system incidents.
• Manage backup procedures, disaster recovery plans, and business continuity processes.
• Coordinate system upgrades, migrations, and infrastructure enhancements.
• Automate routine administration and deployment tasks to improve efficiency.
• Keep comprehensive technical and security documentation current and accurate.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to other team members.
• Contribute to strategic technology and business planning activities.

Desired Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in systems administration, infrastructure engineering, cybersecurity, DevOps, site reliability engineering, or related senior technical positions.
• A tertiary qualification in IT, computer science, cybersecurity, or a related discipline, or an equivalent extensive industry track record.
• Strong expertise managing Linux environments.
• Experience in cloud-based, virtualized, or customer-facing systems management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of networking concepts, firewalls, DNS, TLS, VPNs, and system security.
• Sound skills in vulnerability management, system hardening, and patching.
• Competency in backup management, recovery, and disaster recovery protocols.
• Experience with monitoring systems, logging, alerting, and incident response.
• Proficient scripting and automation capabilities.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills for complex technical issues.
• Clear and effective communication, both written and verbal.
• Strong judgment with the ability to work autonomously.

Additional advantages include experience with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, infrastructure as code, container technologies, CI/CD pipelines, cybersecurity frameworks, or security audit processes. Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, Microsoft, AWS, Red Hat, Cisco, CompTIA, or ITIL are beneficial but not mandatory.

What We Offer

• A senior position granting substantial responsibility and influence within the company.
• A supportive, skilled, and experienced small team environment.
• Challenging work involving major international clients.
• Flexible working hours promoting a healthy work-life balance.
• A combination of hands-on technical tasks and strategic planning.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• An established workplace located at 291 Grey Street, Hamilton East.
• Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

About Veridian Software

Veridian Software is a Hamilton East-based innovative technology firm with a longstanding reputation. Over the last two decades, the company has served prominent clients in the specialist library and digital collections technology domain. Esteemed customers include universities such as Cornell, Columbia, Yale, Princeton, and national libraries from Singapore, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

The company values a close-knit team that manages complex systems supporting significant digital collections worldwide.

Additional Information

Applicants must possess New Zealand residency or valid legal authorization to work in New Zealand. Please note that generic applications lacking a personalized cover letter will not be considered. Interested candidates should promptly submit a cover letter alongside their CV highlighting their interest and personality.

This vacancy may be closed early if a suitable candidate is found. Applicants are therefore encouraged not to delay their application.

Application Requirements

When applying, please answer the following questions:

• Your work eligibility status in New Zealand.
• Your expected annual base salary.
• Your total years of experience as a systems administrator.