IT Infrastructure & Support Jobs Market in Malta April 2023

IT Support

We have witnessed an increase in the number of support roles, especially those at the junior level with a high demand specifically among service providers. The majority of these roles entail either shift-based work or on-call support.

The ideal candidate should illustrate basic networking skills, Active Directory (creating groups and policies), proficiency with ticketing systems, and a certain level of technical education (the highest demand observed was for CCNA certification).

Since the majority of these roles are client-facing, the most desirable attributes for these roles include excellent communication skills, a friendly disposition, and a passion for resolving technical difficulties.

Salaries for these positions vary depending on experience and seniority, with a recent increase in the salaries of less experienced staff. Typically, the salary range for junior to mid-level support roles is between €21,000 and €30,000.

IT Administrator

The demand for non-cloud-based Systems Administration roles has decreased over the last 6-12 months as more organisations are moving towards cloud-based infrastructure.

While local talent is still highly sought-after, candidates are increasingly interested in opportunities that can help them develop their skills in cloud-based system engineering. These roles typically involve migrating on-prem to cloud infrastructure.

With the growing trend toward cloud adoption, we anticipate continued high demand for skilled system engineers in this field.

Cybersecurity

As the digital world continues to expand, cybersecurity has become increasingly important. Many companies are recognising the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect their assets and data from malicious cyber-attacks. Malta is no exception to this trend and the Maltese market has seen significant growth in the number of cybersecurity specialists over the years, and there is now a higher demand for such professionals.

Roles within cybersecurity can either be more focused on networks and firewalls or policies and best practices. Finding talented Cybersecurity specialists can be a challenge, as the demand for such professionals exceeds the available talent pool.

Companies looking to hire cybersecurity specialists must therefore be proactive in their recruitment efforts. They need to build a strong employer brand and create a positive image of their company as a great place to work that appeals to cybersecurity professionals. This can be achieved by offering competitive salaries, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development.

Network Engineer

The demand for networking engineers has remained steady over the past six months. In the past, network engineers were primarily responsible for configuring and maintaining networking equipment, such as routers and switches, to ensure that data could be transmitted between devices within a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). However, with the rapid development of technology and the increasing importance of connectivity, the role of a network engineer has expanded to include a range of responsibilities.

Today, network engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex network infrastructure, including LANs, WANs, wireless networks, and cloud-based networks. They also play a critical role in ensuring network security, implementing firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and other security measures.

With the rise of DevOps and automation, network engineers are also progressively required to have programming and scripting skills to automate network configuration and management tasks. They may also work closely with developers to ensure that network infrastructure can support the needs of applications and services.

Overall, the role of a network engineer has evolved from being a traditional network administrator to a more strategic and business-focused role. As companies increasingly rely on technology to drive their business, network engineers will continue to play a critical role in ensuring that their networks are secure, reliable, and optimised to meet the needs of the organisation. It’s suffice to say, the role is not going anywhere, however, it is evolving alongside the technology.

NOC Engineer

The demand for NOC Engineers continues to steadily increase. This growth in demand has corresponded with an increase in salaries for the more junior positions, while the salaries and the demand for mid/senior NOC Engineers have remained pretty much the same.

NOC Engineer responsibilities can vary noticeably, the most sought-after skills for this type of role is a strong understanding of networking, experience in system administration, and proficiency in SQL databases.

The iGaming industry continues to dominate this line of work. Companies seeking NOC Engineers typically require strong communication skills and a willingness to learn, as the job often involves 10 to 12-hour and 24/7 shifts, which can be challenging.

Companies and candidates alike understand that slightly higher staff turnover is usually linked to the demanding shifts, but also due to the vast career progression paths that the role provides, with DevOps (or similar) being the most popular choice for most.

An experienced NOC Engineer can expect to earn between €32,000 and €38,000 in the Maltese market depending on the industry and the company the role is associated with.

 

System Engineer

There has been a significant increase in demand for Systems Engineers across all industries in recent years, and this trend continues to grow. Both Windows and Linux platforms have seen consistent growth making it an exciting avenue for candidates looking to progress and become Cloud/DevOps Engineers.

Currently, many of the tools and technologies in demand revolve around Cloud technologies, Docker, and Automation, to name a few. These areas have seen substantial salary growth, which can vary quite heavily, depending on the job-specific technologies required for the role.

Most candidates search for a System Engineer role that offers opportunities to gain experience across the entire IT infrastructure, making them more versatile professionals and enhancing their career prospects. This is arguably the reason that this job is second only to DevOps roles in terms of demand among more inexperienced IT professionals.

Although companies generally prefer candidates with proven experience and senior-level expertise, there is also a growing need for hiring less experienced individuals who have potential and a willingness to learn. Therefore, it is crucial for candidates to demonstrate their passion for technology and their ability to learn and adapt to new tools and techniques. This is also why there is a significant degree of salary variance for these positions.

For more information on the current IT Infrastructure & Support jobs market and the latest salary bands in Malta, please download our IT Salary Survey below.