Lead System Operations Engineer

Who Are We

HALA is a leading fintech player in the MENAP region that aims to redefine financial services and build the future bank of SMEs. HALA aims at empowering SMEs to start, run, and grow their businesses by providing them with cutting-edge financial and technological tools.

HALA currently holds multiple entities in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt (including HALA Payments, HALA Cashier and HALA Logistics) and offers solutions that enable merchants to digitize their payments as well as manage their sales and operations.

Founded in 2017, HALA is currently duly licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank as well as the Financials Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi Global Market.

• Technical Operations

  • Lead day-to-day systems operations for on-prem and cloud-based infrastructure (e.g., OCI).
  • Manage the lifecycle of employee devices (laptops/desktops) including procurement, provisioning, patching, and decommissioning.
  • Ensure OS and software updates are deployed regularly across all devices.
  • Administer and manage Microsoft Active Directory, Azure AD, and Group Policies.
  • Manage SSO platforms and identity providers (e.g., Okta, Azure AD SSO).
  • Handle file sharing, VPN, email systems, and internal tool access management.
  • Maintain inventory of hardware and software assets.

  Onboarding & Offboarding

  • Own the technical aspects of employee onboarding and offboarding (account creation, access provisioning, equipment handover).
  • Maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for smooth, secure, and consistent execution.

  Security & Compliance

  • Enforce system security standards, patching, and compliance requirements (e.g., SAMA, ISO 27001).
  • Collaborate with Cyber Security to implement security controls and audit readiness.
  • Regularly audit user access and ensure adherence to least privilege principles.
  • Support compliance efforts by maintaining logs, access reviews, and device encryption.
  • Implement endpoint protection, disk encryption, and security patching processes.

  Support & Process Improvement

  • Lead and mentor a team of IT support specialists.
  • Act as escalation point for L1/L2 IT issues.
  • Standardize IT support processes and improve documentation and self-service tools.

  Team Leadership

  • Manage, mentor, and guide SysOps engineers and support staff.
  • Set clear goals, assign responsibilities, and conduct regular performance reviews.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

  Planning & Vendor Management

  • Work with vendors for hardware/software procurement and license renewals.
  • Maintain IT budget for end-user systems and peripherals.
  • Track and report on SLAs, ticket metrics, and satisfaction scores.

        Experience:

• Degree in Computer Science or relevant fields
• 5+ years of experience in IT Systems Administration or SysOps roles, with at least 1–2 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft environments: Active Directory, Group Policy, Azure AD.
• Experience managing SSO, identity/access control, and endpoint security solutions.
• Proficiency in device management tools (e.g., ManageEngine, Intune).
• Familiarity with IT asset management tools and practices.
• Familiarity with ITIL best practices for support and service delivery.

• Experience in regulated environments (e.g., financial services, SAMA/NCA compliance).
• Knowledge of scripting (PowerShell, Bash) for automating repetitive tasks.
• Certifications such as CompTIA Network+/Security+, Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator, etc.

• We have an inclusive and diverse culture that encourages innovation and flexibility in remote, in-office, and hybrid work setups.
• We offer highly competitive compensation packages, including the potential for shares.
• We prioritize personal development and offer regular training and an annual learning stipend to tackle new challenges and grow your career in a hyper-growth environment.
• Join a talented team of over 30 nationalities working in 7 countries and gain valuable experience in an exciting industry.
• We offer autonomy, mentoring, and challenging goals that create incredible opportunities for both you and the company.
• You will be given a lot of responsibility and trust. We believe that the best results come when the people responsible for a function are given the freedom to do what they think is best.