IT Intern — Data Centre Operations

Ready to be a part of building the internet backbone of East Africa? Apply now for iXAfrica’s 6-month paid IT Internship in Data Centre Operations! Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies like Python, Kubernetes, and open-source security tools in our AI-ready, hyper-scale Nairobi data centre.

iXAfrica provides world-class and highly resilient Data Centre infrastructure to create a vital part of the internet backbone of East Africa. iXAfrica Data Centres in Nairobi, is East Africas’s leading AI-ready, Hyper-scale, Carrier-neutral facility & the latest digital habitat for Sovereign cloud, colocation, and connectivity.

IT Intern — Data Centre Operations

6-month Paid Internship

Location: On-site, Nairobi (iXAfrica Data Centre – NBOX1)

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking a technically driven IT Intern to support data centre operations with a strong emphasis on automation, systems development, open-source tooling, and cybersecurity. This is a hands-on role designed to provide real-world exposure to enterprise infrastructure environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in the development and maintenance of automation scripts using Python, Bash, and Ansible to streamline data centre operations
• Deploy, configure, and manage open-source infrastructure tools including Terraform, Prometheus, Grafana, and Netdata for monitoring and provisioning
• Support the implementation of CI/CD pipelines using Git, Jenkins, and GitLab CI for system and application deployments
• Participate in server lifecycle management — provisioning, patching, decommissioning — across bare-metal and virtualised environments (KVM, Proxmox)
• Contribute to containerisation and orchestration initiatives using Docker and Kubernetes
• Assist with log aggregation and analysis using ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) or equivalent open-source solutions

CYBERSECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support vulnerability scanning and remediation activities using open-source tools such as OpenVAS, Nmap, and Trivy
• Assist in the monitoring of SIEM dashboards (Wazuh / Security Onion) for anomaly detection and incident triage
• Apply CIS Benchmark hardening guidelines to Linux servers (Ubuntu / CentOS / Rocky Linux)
• Participate in access control reviews — enforcing least-privilege principles across user, service, and API accounts
• Document and report security incidents in accordance with established SOPs and escalation procedures

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Proficiency in Linux command line (Bash / Zsh); comfortable navigating and administering server environments
• Working knowledge of at least one scripting/programming language — Python strongly preferred
• Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows (branching, pull requests, code review)
• Understanding of TCP/IP networking fundamentals: DNS, DHCP, subnetting, routing protocols
• Basic knowledge of virtualisation technologies (VMware, KVM, Proxmox, or equivalent)
• Android application development experience using Kotlin or Java, with knowledge of Android Studio, Jetpack libraries, and the Android SDK
• Familiarity with RESTful API integration, JSON parsing, and connecting mobile applications to backend or data centre services

OPEN-SOURCE TOOLS & PLATFORMS

• Monitoring & Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, Netdata, Zabbix
• Automation & IaC: Ansible, Terraform, Puppet
• Containerisation: Docker, Kubernetes (K3s / K8s), Helm
• CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab CI, Drone CI
• Security: Wazuh, OpenVAS, Nmap, Fail2Ban, Suricata
• Logging: ELK Stack, Graylog, Loki + Promtail
• OS Platforms: Ubuntu Server, Rocky Linux, Debian, Alpine Linux

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field
• Demonstrable interest in infrastructure, automation, cybersecurity, and/or mobile development through coursework, personal projects, or CTF participation
• Active GitHub account with publicly visible repositories showcasing personal or academic projects — this is mandatory for application consideration
• Hands-on experience with Android app development (Kotlin preferred); ability to build, test, and deploy functional Android applications
• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced technical environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — ability to document technical processes clearly