System Administrator Linux

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Linux Systems Administration

Supervise and manage daily configuration and operation of Linux-based servers and associated client/server systems

Install, configure, patch, and maintain Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and other Linux distributions

Monitor system performance, availability, and resource utilization across enterprise environments

Perform system tuning and optimization to ensure maximum efficiency and stability

Provide advanced troubleshooting for complex Linux system issues

Systems Operations & Performance Management

Plan and monitor system operations, including workload balancing and capacity utilization

Conduct system capacity analysis and forecasting to support infrastructure growth and scalability

Monitor system logs, performance metrics, and alerts to proactively identify and resolve issues

Ensure system availability and compliance with established SLAs and operational standards

User Support & Access Management

Plan and monitor assistance to users in accessing and utilizing Linux-based business systems

Support authentication, authorization, and access control mechanisms (e.g., LDAP, Active Directory integration)

Troubleshoot user access and system connectivity issues in enterprise environments

Storage Systems Oversight

Administer and support enterprise storage environments including SAN, NAS, DASD, and RAID systems

Monitor storage utilization, capacity trends, and performance metrics

Support storage provisioning, allocation, and lifecycle management

Assist in optimizing storage performance and resolving I/O bottlenecks

Ensure storage systems comply with security, encryption, and data governance standards

Backup & Recovery Operations

Support enterprise backup and recovery systems across Linux servers and storage platforms

Ensure backups are executed successfully in accordance with established schedules and policies

Perform and validate system and data restoration activities, including file-level and system-level recovery

Participate in disaster recovery testing, including semi-annual and ad hoc restoration exercises

Ensure compliance with Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)

Monitor backup integrity, job success rates, and storage media reliability

Infrastructure Integration & Maintenance

Support integration of Linux systems with enterprise infrastructure including storage, database, and network services

Assist in planning, design, and implementation of system upgrades and infrastructure enhancements

Perform system patching, upgrades, and lifecycle management in accordance with security requirements

Coordinate with cross-functional teams including database, storage, and application administrators

Monitoring, Reporting & Documentation

Monitor system health, performance, and availability across Linux environments

Maintain documentation of system configurations, procedures, and operational standards

Provide regular reports on system utilization, capacity, and incident trends

Document maintenance activities, changes, and system performance metrics

Required Technical Skills

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) administration and support

Linux system performance tuning and troubleshooting

Enterprise storage systems (SAN, NAS, DASD, RAID)

Backup and recovery systems (enterprise backup solutions)

System capacity planning and resource optimization

TCP/IP networking fundamentals and system connectivity troubleshooting

User authentication and access management (LDAP/Active Directory integration)

Preferred Skills

Experience supporting Federal or NIH IT environments

VMware virtualization environments (vCenter, ESXi)

Experience with scripting (Bash, Python, or PowerShell)

Familiarity with cloud environments (e.g., Azure or hybrid infrastructure)

ITIL Foundation certification or IT service management experience

Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios, Splunk, or equivalent)

Key Competencies

Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills

Ability to manage mission-critical Linux environments

Capacity planning and performance optimization expertise

Strong communication and documentation skills

Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team

Operational discipline in high-availability environments

Education & Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field

Experience

5–8 years of experience in Linux system administration within enterprise environments

Experience supporting large-scale Data Center operations

Experience with enterprise storage and backup systems

Demonstrated experience managing software lifecycle and configuration management processes

Certifications

RHCE (or RHCSA)

Security+

VMware VCP-DCV

Azure Administrator

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Agile certification

ITIL certification preferred.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain a Public Trust clearance