Senior Lead UNIX/Linux Architect (Open) - Northern Trust

ZipRecruiter; London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking a UNIX/Linux Architect to lead the design and implementation of their UNIX/Linux infrastructure. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in UNIX/Linux systems and cloud platforms, with a focus on security, compliance, and scalability. Candidates should have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly. Join a collaborative workplace dedicated to service and excellence.

Benefits

Flexible work culture

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in UNIX/Linux architecture and implementation required.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, GCP necessary.
• Ability to translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term architectural vision for UNIX/Linux infrastructure.
• Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Drive automation initiatives for efficiency improvements.

Skills

UNIX/Linux administration

Problem-solving and analytical skills

Excellent communication

Scripting (e.g., Bash, Python, Perl)

Networking knowledge

Education

RHCE, LFCE, or other advanced UNIX/Linux certifications

Experience in a large, global enterprise environment

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Monitoring tools (Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus)

Job description

Job Description

About Northern Trust:

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world's most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role/Department:

Northern Trust are seeking an experienced UNIX/Linux Hands-On Architect to lead the design, implementation, and road mapping of our enterprise-scale UNIX/Linux infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in technology and a proven track record of architecting and implementing scalable, robust, compliant and secure systems in a hybrid cloud environment.

This role requires a highly skilled professional who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on technical expertise to drive the evolution of our UNIX/Linux infrastructure & Services.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about technology, committed to excellence, and able to lead complex initiatives in a dynamic, global environment.

The key responsibilities of the role include:


Architecture and Design:

• Develop and maintain a long-term architectural vision for the UNIX/Linux infrastructure & Services
• Create detailed designs for new UNIX/Linux systems and services
• Ensure designs adhere to industry best practices, security standards, and compliance requirements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align UNIX/Linux architecture with overall IT strategy

Strategic Planning:

• Develop long-term roadmaps for UNIX/Linux infrastructure evolution
• Identify emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact on the organization
• Propose and justify new initiatives to improve efficiency, security, and scalability

Roadmap Development:

• Create and maintain a multi-year roadmap for UNIX/Linux infrastructure & Services evolution
• Identify emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact on the organization
• Plan for hardware refresh cycles, software upgrades, and migration projects
• Align roadmap with business objectives and budgetary constraints

Standards and Best Practices:

• Establish and enforce standards for UNIX/Linux system configuration, security, and management
• Develop and maintain best practices for system deployment, monitoring, and maintenance
• Create and update documentation for all UNIX/Linux systems and processes

Security and Compliance:

• Design and implement robust security measures for UNIX/Linux systems
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX)
• Develop and maintain security policies and procedures
• Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments

Scalability and Performance:

• Design highly scalable UNIX/Linux infrastructure to support business growth
• Implement performance monitoring and optimization strategies
• Conduct capacity planning and resource allocation

Documentation and Knowledge Management:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all UNIX/Linux systems and processes
• Create and update architectural diagrams, system specifications, and operational procedures
• Establish a knowledge base for troubleshooting and best practices

Automation and DevOps:

• Drive automation initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce manual tasks
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices
• Integrate UNIX/Linux systems with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps tools

High Availability and Disaster Recovery:

• Design and implement high availability solutions for critical systems
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans and procedures
• Conduct regular DR testing and refinement

Monitoring and Support:

• Design comprehensive monitoring solutions for UNIX/Linux systems and services
• Establish proactive maintenance procedures to ensure system health and stability
• Provide expert-level support for complex UNIX/Linux issues

Vendor Management:

• Evaluate and select UNIX/Linux hardware and software vendors
• Manage vendor relationships
• Stay informed about vendor roadmaps and upcoming product releases

Team Leadership and Mentoring:

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior team members
• Collaborate with other IT teams to ensure seamless integration of UNIX/Linux systems
• Conduct knowledge transfer sessions and internal training programs

Continuous Improvement:

• Stay up-to-date with the latest UNIX/Linux technologies and industry trends
• Propose and implement improvements to existing systems and processes
• Conduct post-implementation reviews and lessons learned sessions

Ski lls/ Qualifications:

• Experience in UNIX/Linux administration and architecture
• Deep knowledge of enterprise UNIX/Linux distributions (e.g., Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server)
• Strong understanding of networking, storage, and virtualization technologies
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and their UNIX/Linux offerings
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Bash, Python, Perl)
• Familiarity with configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
• Knowledge of container technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus)
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities

Qualifications:

• RHCE, LFCE, or other advanced UNIX/Linux certifications
• Experience with high-performance computing environments
• Knowledge of database systems and their integration with UNIX/Linux
• Familiarity with ITIL practices
• Experience in a large, global enterprise environment

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and long-term planning
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies and methodologies

Working with Us:

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.

We'd love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world's most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [e-mail] .

We hope you're excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.

Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.