Linux Administrator

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Job Details:

Linux Administrator
Chicago/Dallas, Hybrid
6 months (Contract to Hire)

Job Description

Summary:
The Associate Principal, Strong at least 10 years Deep Linux administration skills, Linux Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining enterprise Linux server environments through hands-on daily operational activities. This role ensures the stability, performance, security, and availability of Linux infrastructure across on-premises and cloud environments. The position requires strong operational expertise, a proactive approach to system health, and the ability to work across US Day and night shifts to provide continuous 24/7 coverage for critical infrastructure.


Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.

• Monitor, manage, and maintain enterprise Linux server environments (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, Amazon Linux) on a day-to-day basis across on-premises and cloud infrastructure
• Perform routine system health checks including CPU, memory, disk utilization, and process monitoring across all Linux servers
• Respond to system alerts, service failures, and performance degradation in a timely manner; triage and resolve incidents within defined SLA windows
• Manage user accounts, groups, permissions, and SSH key administration across Linux systems
• Administer cron jobs, scheduled tasks, and system services (systemd, init) to ensure uninterrupted operations
• Perform log analysis and monitoring using tools such as journald, rsyslog, ELK Stack, Splunk, or CloudWatch to identify anomalies and recurring issues
• Execute day-to-day storage operations including LVM management, filesystem extension, NFS mount management, and disk space remediation
• Troubleshoot OS-level issues including boot failures, kernel panics, network connectivity problems, and service disruptions
• Coordinate and execute scheduled maintenance activities including reboots, service restarts, and configuration updates during approved change windows
• Apply security patches, kernel updates, and bug fixes to Linux servers in alignment with the enterprise patching schedule using Red Hat Satellite and Ansible Automation Platform (AAP)
• Validate patch deployments in non-production environments prior to production rollouts and perform post-patch validation checks to confirm system stability and service availability
• Support emergency and zero-day vulnerability patching as directed by the security team
• Enforce CIS benchmark standards and security baselines on Linux systems; remediate non-compliant configurations
• Perform periodic security scans using OpenSCAP, Lynis, or Nessus and document findings for remediation tracking
• Actively manage incidents, service requests, and change records using ServiceNow, ensuring timely updates, proper categorization, and SLA compliance
• Serve as an escalation point for Tier 1/Tier 2 Linux issues during assigned shift
• Participate in root cause analysis (RCA) and post-incident reviews for major Linux-related outages
• Execute approved change requests during maintenance windows including patching, configuration changes, and server builds
• Maintain clear and accurate shift handover notes to ensure operational continuity across US Day and night shifts
• Provision new Linux servers (physical, virtual, and cloud) following approved build standards and golden image baselines
• Configure servers post-build including network settings, storage mounts, security hardening, and application-level prerequisites
• Support AMI (Amazon Machine Image) updates and golden image refreshes for AWS EC2 instances
• Execute Ansible playbooks for configuration management, compliance enforcement, and routine operational tasks
• Proactively monitor infrastructure dashboards (CloudWatch & Splunk) and act on alerts
• Identify performance bottlenecks and work with senior engineers to implement optimizations
• Perform capacity monitoring and report disk, CPU, and memory trends as inputs to capacity planning
• Work assigned US Day shift (EST/CST 8 AM - 6 PM)
• Act as the primary Linux operations contact during assigned shift for incident response, change execution, and escalation management
• Follow runbooks and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all operational activities and maintain shift logs with current server and service status
• Create and maintain runbooks, SOPs, knowledge base articles, and operational checklists in Confluence
• Track tasks, incidents, and project work in JIRA with accurate and timely status updates
• Collaborate with network, storage, security, and application teams to resolve cross-functional issues
• Participate in team meetings, sprint reviews, and operational planning sessions

Qualifications:
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

• 10 + years of progressive hands-on experience in Linux/Unix system administration in an enterprise environment
• Demonstrated experience managing Linux servers in production environments at scale
• Strong hands-on experience with Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) including playbook execution and operational automation
• Working experience with Red Hat Satellite for patch deployment and content lifecycle management
• Hands-on experience with AWS Linux EC2 instances including basic instance operations, snapshots, and security group management
• Demonstrated experience implementing and maintaining CIS benchmarks and security baselines across enterprise Linux systems
• Extensive experience with enterprise Linux patching programs including change management, patch validation, and emergency patching procedures
• Working experience with ITSM platforms such as ServiceNow for incident, problem, and change management
• Proficiency with collaboration and project management tools including JIRA and Confluence
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to produce clear shift handover notes and operational documentation
• Ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced operational environment

Staffworxs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.