Linux / Unix Systems Administrator

Northampton Business Directory; Wellingborough; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Howdens Joinery invites applications for a Systems Administrator to manage and support their Linux infrastructure. Based in Northampton, this role offers the flexibility to work from home one day a week. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining system performance and availability, collaborating on projects, and ensuring compliance with best practices. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package are provided, including excellent pension contributions and holidays.

Benefits

Competitive salary and annual company bonus

Excellent pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)

25 days holiday + bank holidays with options to buy additional days

Employee Assistance Programme

Staff Discount

Exceptional Reward and Recognition events

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience designing and supporting Linux systems.
• Knowledge of server performance tuning and monitoring tools.
• Experience with automation and cloud service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Installation and maintenance of Linux servers and management platforms.
• Proactively monitor performance and capacity of systems.
• Provide expert support in IS projects and system availability.

Skills

Linux systems support

Shell scripting

Monitoring and alerting

Automation technologies

Server performance analysis

Virtualisation technologies

Cloud services delivery

Education

Experience with RedHat Linux (RHEL, SLES)

Tools

Zabbix

Grafana

Ansible

Terraform

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Howdens Joinery have a fantastic opportunity to join our Infrastructure department as a new Systems Administrator. You will support and maintain the Linux platforms running on IBM Power-VM and VMWare ESXi virtualisation layers.

A permanent opportunity based from our office on Brackmills in Northampton with flexibility to work from home 1 day a week.

What you will be doing

- Installation, configuration, documentation and ongoing maintenance of Linux servers, and any underlying management platforms, as per any build or compliance policies

- Proactively monitor and report on the capacity and performance of Howdens platforms.

- Participate in and, where required, lead in IS projects providing expert support and guidance in delivering solutions to meet business needs.

- Provide detailed 2nd / 3rd level design and documentation in support of Linux and IBM-Power platforms

- Ensuring system availability, resolving any service effecting issues and escalating as appropriate

- Ensure projects and introduction of new Mid-Range platforms are delivered in a timely and cost effective manner.

- Ensures adoption of best practise for Linux platforms and any underlying hardware to satisfy capacity, performance, availability and security requirements

- Build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and partner

What we need from you

- Demonstrable experience designing, implementing and supporting Linux systems (including but not limited to RHEL and SLES)

- RedHat satellite server experience

- Shell scripting (Bash and Korn)

- Familiar with the principle of server performance analysis and tuning

- Monitoring, alerting and dashboarding using tools such as Zabbix and Grafana

- Automation technologies (including, but not limited to, Ansible, Terraform)

- Technologies such as Docker, GIT, Kubernetes, Azure DevOps

- Ability to travel to other Howdens locations and to work outside of normal hours

- 5 hour week contract with a support rota for “Out of Hours” cover.

Applicants with experience in the following is highly desirable

- IBM Power, AIX, VIO, NIM and CMC / HMC administration

- Delivering and supporting high availability architecture and solutions

- Virtualisation and containerisation technologies

- Delivery and support of cloud services in Azure and/or AWS

- Redwood Cronacle/RunMyJobs

- Project Management Methodologies (SAFe Agile, Prince II, ITIL)

What we can offer you:

- Competitive salary and annual company bonus

- Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)

- 25 days holiday + bank holidays with the option to buy additional days

- Staff Discount

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events

About Howdens:

Howdens Joinery is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 900 depots throughout the UK and Europe – making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals.Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we have an ambitious growth agenda.

As well as the opportunity to develop within a fast paced and commercial environment, you will be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for excellence in the workplace in theBest Big Companies to Work For.

How to apply

We’re building a future where world-class service, innovation, and sustainability are embedded within our DNA. If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career, then we’re keen to hear from you.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email(url removed)with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you

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