Application Support & Build Jobs and Recruitment in Ireland
Application Support professionals play a key role in any organisation’s IT needs. That’s because they ensure that business applications are running successfully and remain error-free on an ongoing basis. Application Support provides a range of services – you could be leading your Application team, investigating and resolving issues, and a lot more.
Archer Recruitment, your specialist IT recruiters, has a host of Application Support & Build jobs in Ireland. We recruit IT professionals across a range of technologies including ERP, .NET, SQL, and Java. Our clients are in a range of industries, including fintech, software product development, banking and financial services, and pharmaceutical.
We can start to match your skills to the perfect role for you. Simply apply for some of the Application Support & Build jobs below or just get in touch.
Key Tech in Demand in Application Support & Build Jobs
Firstly, a strong understanding of various operating systems, especially Windows and Linux, is crucial. This is because many applications are deployed on servers running these operating systems. Proficiency in server administration, including managing server resources, troubleshooting issues, and applying security measures, is often required.
In addition, knowledge of programming and scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell is important for automating routine tasks, debugging issues, and interfacing with APIs. Understanding the fundamentals of databases, such as SQL for relational databases and NoSQL for non-relational databases, is also necessary for managing data-driven applications.
Proficiency in network protocols and services (HTTP, FTP, DNS, etc.) is needed to support applications that communicate over a network. Knowledge of cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Microsoft Azure, is often required as many applications are now hosted in the cloud.
In build roles, experience with build tools like Maven or Gradle and knowledge of continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices is important. Familiarity with CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or GitHub Actions is often a requirement. Understanding of version control systems, especially Git, is crucial for managing source code.
Furthermore, knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes can be highly advantageous, as they are increasingly used in modern application deployment. Familiarity with infrastructure as code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or Ansible is also desirable for managing and provisioning infrastructure.
For application support roles, experience with issue-tracking systems like Jira and service desk software can be beneficial. Knowledge of ITIL practices for IT service management is often a plus. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure are critical in these roles.
What does the Career Journey for an Application Support Engineer look like?
The career journey for an Application Support Engineer typically begins with a solid foundational understanding of computer science principles. This can be achieved through formal education, such as a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology, or through self-learning and certifications.
Early in their career, an Application Support Engineer usually starts in a junior or entry-level role, where they gain experience in troubleshooting, problem-solving, and understanding the specific applications or systems that they are supporting. In this phase, they often learn to use various tools and technologies such as databases (SQL, NoSQL), operating systems (Windows, Linux), and scripting languages (Python, Bash, PowerShell). They also gain experience with issue tracking systems like Jira, and become familiar with IT service management principles, often guided by frameworks like ITIL.
As they gain experience and increase their technical skills, Application Support Engineers can move into more senior roles. In these roles, they handle more complex issues and may be responsible for managing the performance and security of applications. They could also start specializing in certain types of software or certain industries.
Further down the line, an experienced Application Support Engineer might become a Team Lead or a Manager, where they not only solve complex technical issues but also oversee the work of a team of support engineers. This involves tasks such as scheduling, planning, and reporting, and requires good leadership and communication skills.
In parallel to their core responsibilities, they might also gain expertise in areas like cloud technologies (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure), DevOps practices, and infrastructure as code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or Ansible, which can open up new career paths. They could transition into roles such as DevOps Engineer, Cloud Engineer, or Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), which often require a mix of software, operations, and infrastructure skills.
Finally, with extensive experience and a broad skill set, Application Support Engineers might move into strategic roles like IT Director or Chief Technology Officer (CTO), where they make decisions about the overall IT strategy of an organization.
Remember, this is a typical path, but individual career journeys can vary greatly. Some might skip steps, while others might take steps in a different order. The tech industry values skill and experience, so there’s a lot of flexibility in how you build your career.