Senior Systems Engineer / Solutions Architect (Infrastructure & Cloud)

The Role

We are seeking a highly capable Senior Systems Engineer / Solutions Architect who still builds, operates, and owns systems — not just advises.

You'll take ownership of a complex hybrid environment spanning Oracle Cloud (OCI), Microsoft Entra ID, VMware, Fortinet networking, and enterprise infrastructure systems.

This is a hands-on technical ownership role — not a coordination or management position. You will design, implement, troubleshoot, and operate core infrastructure systems end-to-end in a small, high-trust team environment.

What makes this role different

• You will be the primary technical operator responsible for the day-to-day operation and ongoing improvement of core infrastructure

• You will work across cloud, identity, networking, security, and legacy systems in production

• You will own delivery end-to-end — from design through to implementation and operational stability

• Security monitoring is provided by a managed SOC (Arctic Wolf), while you retain responsibility for infrastructure-level security implementation, response, and hardening.

• External vendors (including SOC and infrastructure partners) provide support, but execution sits with you

• You will be trusted to stabilise, simplify, and modernise a highly integrated enterprise environment

Key Responsibilities

You'll work across:

• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

• VMware vSphere and/or Oracle Cloud VMware Solution (OCVS)

• Microsoft Entra ID and Active Directory

• Fortinet firewalls, SD-WAN, VPNs (including site-to-site/IPSec) and broader Fortinet security ecosystem

• Windows Server and IIS-hosted applications

• Oracle Database and SQL Server environments (infrastructure-level dependency awareness)

• Legacy enterprise systems and integrations

Key Focus Areas

• Identity modernisation (AD → Entra ID)

• Infrastructure and server consolidation

• Cloud and hybrid architecture (OCI + on-prem + VMware)

• Network and security uplift (Fortinet, WAF, segmentation)

• Data and Microsoft 365 rationalisation

• Backup, resilience, and recovery improvements

• Creation and maintenance of clear, practical infrastructure documentation to underpin supportability, recovery, and operational continuity

• Automation of infrastructure and operational tasks using scripting (e.g. PowerShell, Python) and pragmatic infrastructure-as-code approaches where appropriate

Operational Ownership (BAU)

• Day-to-day ownership of core infrastructure systems, including stability, performance, and availability

• Server and platform lifecycle management (patching, upgrades, maintenance, and optimisation)

• Troubleshooting and resolution of infrastructure issues across cloud, network, and identity layers

• Interpretation of monitoring and alerting outputs (including inputs from the managed SOC) to drive remediation, tuning, and ongoing platform improvement

• Ownership of changes in production environments, including planning, risk assessment, and safe implementation

• Ongoing improvement of system reliability, security posture, and operational standards

What We're Looking For

You are someone who:

• Is motivated by ownership of outcomes rather than ticket queues or escalation layers.

• Has deep hands-on experience in complex hybrid infrastructure environments

• Can independently unpick, stabilise, and improve messy enterprise systems

• Is comfortable operating as the go-to technical authority in a small team

• Has strong capability across cloud, identity, networking, and server infrastructure

• Understands that real engineering work includes ownership, not just design

• Can effectively leverage vendors and partners for guidance and escalation while retaining full technical ownership

• Thrives in environments where there is no large delivery team to fall back on

Why This Role Exists

We are modernising our IT operating model to reduce complexity, strengthen security, and improve cloud capability. We need a hands-on engineering ownership role focused on execution, stability, and transformation delivery.

What success looks like

• Stable, secure, and well-managed hybrid infrastructure

• Successful delivery of consolidation and identity modernisation initiatives

• Reduced legacy complexity and improved operational clarity

• Strong infrastructure discipline (patching, lifecycle, resilience, documentation)

• Clear technical ownership across all core platforms

About Racing Australia

Racing Australia is the peak body for Thoroughbred racing in Australia, responsible for national systems that support the integrity, administration, and operation of the racing industry.

We operate national infrastructure supporting data, identity, and regulatory systems including the Australian Stud Book and Registrar of Racehorses.

This role is based in Melbourne and contributes to systems underpinning a nationally significant industry.

What's On Offer

• Competitive salary package and benefits, including free on-site parking.

• A pivotal, hands-on role delivering meaningful systems in a nationally significant organisation.

• Direct access to senior leaders and decision-makers.

• Hybrid working arrangements once established and confident in the role.

Apply If This Sounds Like You

If you are still the person who prefers to build, fix, and own systems rather than sit above them, this is the type of role where you will have real impact.

To help us identify genuinely hands-on candidates, please include a short cover note outlining:

• Your experience across hybrid infrastructure environments (cloud, identity, networking, server)

• Your direct involvement in building and operating systems (not just oversight)

• An example of how you've worked through a complex or legacy environment

Applications without this context may not be progressed.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and tailored cover letter via Seek or email to ****@racingaustralia.horse