Senior System Engineer - Backup & Data Protection
Summary
A freelance/contract senior system engineer will assess a client's IBM-based backup environment in Basel, lead the selection of a new enterprise backup solution, design the target-state architecture, and hands-on support implementation and migration. Core focus: enterprise backup & data protection, storage, business continuity/disaster recovery, with exposure to tools like Commvault, Veeam, Rubrik
- Contract Type: Contract / Freelance Engagement
- Project Duration: Start Date: 01 October 2026
- Initial Duration: 9 months
- Extension Option: Available
- Remote Work: Initial onboarding period of approximately 2-3 weeks onsite in Basel. Afterwards, high to full remote availability with occasional onsite presence as required
Project Overview
Our client in Basel is currently operating an IBM-based backup environment and is looking to evaluate, select, and implement a future-proof Backup & Data Protection strategy.
To support this transformation, we are seeking a highly experienced Senior System Engineer / Backup & Data Protection Specialist with strong enterprise infrastructure expertise. The successful candidate will act as both an architect and trusted advisor while also contributing hands-on during the implementation phase.
This is a strategic project within a large and complex enterprise environment, requiring deep technical knowledge, stakeholder management skills, and experience in delivering backup solution transformations.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess the current IBM-based backup infrastructure and data protection landscape
- Define and evaluate future backup and recovery strategies
- Lead the selection process for a new enterprise backup solution
- Design target-state backup architecture and technical concepts
- Provide expert consulting and architectural guidance to business and technical stakeholders
- Support and actively participate in the implementation and migration of the selected backup platform
- Ensure alignment with Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery requirements
- Develop technical documentation, concepts, and best practices
- Collaborate with infrastructure, storage, security, and operations teams
- Contribute hands-on to deployment, configuration, testing, and optimization activities
Mandatory Requirements
- Extensive experience as a Senior System Engineer, Backup Engineer, or Infrastructure Architect
- Strong expertise in Enterprise Backup & Data Protection solutions
- Proven experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing backup technologies in large-scale enterprise environments
- Deep understanding of:
- Backup & Recovery
- Data Protection
- Enterprise Infrastructure
- Storage Technologies
- Business Continuity
- Disaster Recovery
- Experience designing technical architectures and operating models
- Ability to engage both technically and strategically with stakeholders
- Hands-on implementation experience in infrastructure projects
- Experience working within complex enterprise environments
Languages
- German: Fluent (Mandatory)
- English: Professional working proficiency
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience migrating from IBM-based backup environments
- Knowledge of modern enterprise backup solutions such as:
- Commvault
- Veeam
- Rubrik
- Veritas NetBackup
- Cohesity
- Experience with hybrid and cloud-based backup strategies
- Understanding of enterprise storage platforms and data lifecycle management
- Consulting and advisory experience in transformation projects
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a senior infrastructure specialist with extensive experience in backup, storage, business continuity, and disaster recovery within large-scale enterprise environments. They can operate confidently at both architectural and operational levels, guiding strategic decision-making while actively supporting implementation activities.