Linux System Administrator | Marc Ellis | Sharjah, UAE

Marc Ellis; Sharjah; On-site; AED 234,000 - 286,000; Full time

Job summary

Marc Ellis is seeking an experienced Linux System Administrator for a 12-month extendable contract in Sharjah, UAE. You will lead Linux server administration, manage Azure cloud resources, and oversee VMware ESXi/vSphere environments with automation and Kubernetes expertise.

The role requires 8+ years of IT experience, strong security practices, and immediate availability in the UAE. This is a long-term contract on Marc Ellis payroll, with on-site responsibilities in Sharjah.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of IT experience with a focus on Linux system administration.
• Strong hands-on Linux admin experience (RHEL/CentOS/Ubuntu).
• Proven Azure cloud management and VMware ESXi/vSphere administration.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Linux server environments (RHEL/CentOS/Ubuntu).
• Manage Azure cloud resources including VMs, storage, and networking.
• Administer VMware ESXi/vSphere environments and perform migrations.
• Develop automation scripts (Bash, Python, Ansible) for daily ops.
• Oversee Kubernetes cluster management (AKS/OpenShift/EKS).
• Implement system hardening, patching, and vulnerability remediation.
• Ensure data backup, DR readiness, and ITIL-aligned processes.

Skills

L-3 Linux Admin

Azure cloud管理

VMware vSphere

Kubernetes

Automation scripting

Security hardening

Incident resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT

Tools

VMware ESXi

Azure

Kubernetes

Ansible

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking an exceptionally skilled and experienced Linux System Administrator to join Marc Ellis on a 12-month extendable contract basis (long-term opportunity on Marc Ellis payroll) in Sharjah, UAE. In this critical infrastructure role, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining Linux server environments, on-premises infrastructure, and cloud resources hosted on Microsoft Azure. The ideal candidate will bring 8+ years of IT industry experience with a strong focus on L-3 level Linux system administration, VMware vSphere administration, Azure cloud management, and containerization platforms like Kubernetes. If you possess immediate availability in the UAE and a distinguished background in enterprise server administration, we invite you to apply.

Detailed Job Description

As a Linux System Administrator at Marc Ellis in Sharjah, UAE, you will serve as the principal technical authority responsible for ensuring the absolute stability, high availability, security, and performance of enterprise server infrastructures. Your daily responsibilities will encompass installing, configuring, and managing Linux distributions (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu), operating Microsoft Azure cloud services (virtual machines, storage accounts, virtual networks), administering VMware ESXi and vSphere environments, and automating tasks using Bash, Python, or Ansible. You will oversee Kubernetes cluster management, execute system hardening and vulnerability remediation, and manage SAN and object storage systems. Candidates must be immediate joiners available in the UAE.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, and maintain enterprise Linux server environments including RHEL, CentOS, and Ubuntu distributions.
• Provide advanced L-3 level Linux support, root-cause analysis, and complex incident resolution.
• Manage production Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure services including virtual machines, storage accounts, and virtual networks.
• Administer VMware ESXi and vSphere virtualization platforms including VM provisioning, cloning, snapshots, and migrations.
• Develop and deploy automation scripts and configuration playbooks using Bash, Python, or Ansible.
• Oversee containerization and Kubernetes environment management (AKS, OpenShift, or EKS).
• Execute rigorous system hardening, security compliance audits, patch management, and vulnerability remediation.
• Manage x86 server hardware administration, firmware upgrades, and physical data center deployments.
• Configure, monitor, and maintain SAN storage arrays and object storage system architectures.
• Ensure robust data backup, retention policies, and disaster recovery (DR) management.
• Adhere strictly to ITIL processes, change management best practices, and operational governance standards.
• Maintain comprehensive system documentation, network architecture diagrams, and operational procedures.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8+ years of professional experience in the IT industry with a primary focus on system administration.
• Strong hands-on experience providing L-3 level support for enterprise Linux servers (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu).
• Proven production experience managing Microsoft Azure cloud services and virtualized networking infrastructure.
• Deep expertise in VMware ESXi and vSphere administration (provisioning, snapshots, clustering, migrations).
• Demonstrated scripting and automation proficiency using Bash, Python, or Ansible.
• Hands-on experience managing Kubernetes environments (AKS, OpenShift, EKS) and container deployments.
• Sound knowledge of system hardening, security compliance, and vulnerability management frameworks.
• Proficiency in SAN storage and object storage configuration, backup operations, and disaster recovery.
• Mandatory residency/work authorization: Immediate joiners currently available in the UAE.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Professional domain background within Banking, Financial Services, or Fintech industries.
• Industry certifications such as RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer), Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, or VCP-DCV.
• Experience with infrastructure monitoring platforms (Prometheus, Grafana, Zabbix).
• Immediate availability for contract mobilization in Sharjah/UAE.

Contract, Salary & Notice

Recruiter: Marc Ellis

Salary/Rate: Competitive market rate

Deadline: Immediate

Notice Period: Immediate joiners only (UAE-based)

Contract Duration: 12 Months Extendable Contract (Long-term opportunity on Marc Ellis payroll)

Recruitment Pro Tip

When applying for this Linux System Administrator position with Marc Ellis, ensure your resume explicitly highlights your 8+ years of Linux admin experience, your L-3 support portfolio, your Azure/VMware expertise, and your immediate availability in the UAE.