Systems Administrator; Graduate​/Junior

Systems Administrator (Graduate / Junior)

Are you early in your IT career and passionate about technology? Whether you’re a recent graduate or already have some hands‑on IT experience, this is an exciting opportunity to develop your career as a Systems Administrator. You’ll work alongside experienced IT professionals, gaining exposure to real‑world systems while helping maintain, support, and develop the company’s IT infrastructure.

About the Role

As a Systems Administrator, you will be part of the Actica IT Team, supporting and developing our technology environment. This role offers a balance of hands‑on responsibility and ongoing learning, making it suitable for graduates as well as candidates who have already worked in IT support, systems administration, or similar roles.

You will gain experience across a range of technologies, including Microsoft environments, networking, security, and virtualised infrastructure. on your experience, you will take ownership of day‑to‑day tasks while being supported to grow into more advanced responsibilities.

Roles and Responsibilities

As part of the Actica IT Team, you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining and supporting company information systems
• Providing 1st and 2nd Line Support, escalating issues where appropriate
• Working with IT suppliers and third‑party partners
• Attending IT meetings and providing status updates
• Monitoring systems to ensure performance, availability, and security
• Maintaining firewall and gateway security policies
• Assisting with security alerts and incident response alongside the System Security Officer
• Supporting the development, testing, and rollout of new systems and services

Training and Development

We recognise that candidates will come with varying levels of experience. You won’t be expected to know everything from day one, but we do value curiosity, initiative, and a strong problem‑solving mindset.

You will benefit from:

• On‑the‑job training tailored to your experience level
• Mentorship from senior IT team members
• Opportunities to gain certifications and hands‑on experience in:
• Active Directory
• Microsoft 365
• Networking
• Cybersecurity
• Virtualised infrastructure
• A clear development pathway to progress into a fully‑fledged Systems Administrator role

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We are looking for someone who has:

• A background in Computer Science, IT, or a related discipline
• Experience working in a Microsoft‑based environment (commercial or academic)
• Exposure to IT support, system administration, or infrastructure support
• A proactive, self‑motivated approach and willingness to learn
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to think creatively
• The ability to adapt and keep pace with a fast‑moving IT environment

Primary Technical Skills You’ll Develop

• Proficiency in Active Directory;
• Secure Information Systems;
• IT Security Policy knowledge;
• Principles of Networking (DNS/DHCP/Layer 3 Firewalls/Routing);
• Ability to learn and test new technologies and integrate with existing systems.
• Proficiency in the M365 Platform including Azure;
• MDM;
• Ticket Management;

Secondary Technical Skills You’ll Develop

• Windows Server 2016/2019/2022;
• Microsoft Exchange 2019;
• Scripting of tasks through Windows Power Shell;
• Cisco firewall management (FMC or CLI);
• VPN configuration and management;
• Microsoft Group Policy;
• Security Incident handling;
• API Integration;

Why apply

Even if your skills don’t match the role exactly, we encourage you to apply. We value enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn just as much as technical experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your IT career in a supportive environment with structured training to help you reach your full potential.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be eligible and willing to obtain UK Government Security Clearance.

Key Attributes for Success:

• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders, including resolving issues and identifying new opportunities.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Adaptability to a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment.

Working Arrangements:

• Hybrid working model, with a head office based in Guildford, Surrey.

A Mentor will be on hand to provide support and guidance throughout your journey with Actica. You will also work with a Performance and Development Manager, often outside of your project line of control, who will conduct regular reviews based on project feedback to set career objectives and identify training courses which are both relevant to your current project work, and aligned with your planned career progression.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Actica aims to nurture a diverse workforce through inclusive working practices, promoting equality in our recruitment activities, and by employing candidates on the basis of merit. Discrimination against individuals on the grounds of protected characteristics is not permitted and we take steps to ensure that our staff are made aware of their legal responsibilities when making hiring decisions.