Linux Infrastructure Architect

Cognizant; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Learning programs

Transit card

25 holidays

Laptop provided

Pension plan

Global team

Collaboration culture

Job summary

Cognizant Netherlands is seeking a Linux Infrastructure Architect to define and own the Linux infrastructure blueprint for the OS work package, ensuring scalable, secure foundations.

You will collaborate with solution architects and platform engineers to translate business requirements into solid OS-level designs, focusing on RHEL/CentOS, automation tooling, patching, and lifecycle planning. The role is hybrid in Amsterdam.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of Linux infrastructure architecture and/or design, with ownership of large-scale environments.
• Deep expertise in RHEL and/or CentOS, including administration, hardening, and config management.
• Hands-on experience with build automation tooling (Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Terraform, etc.) and IaC mindset.
• Strong patching strategies, vulnerability management, and OS compliance practices.
• Experience developing and maintaining RHEL lifecycle plans, upgrade paths, and EOL roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the Linux infrastructure blueprint for the OS work package.
• Own and govern OS standards across the environment for security and compliance.
• Develop and drive build automation strategies using Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Terraform.
• Design and implement a comprehensive patching strategy to maintain system integrity.
• Lead RHEL lifecycle planning, including roadmap management and migration planning.

Skills

Linux architecture

RHEL/CentOS expertise

DevOps mindset

Security & compliance

Policy & governance

Tools

Ansible

Puppet

Chef

Terraform

Job description

As a Linux Infrastructure Architect, you will make an impact by defining and owning the Linux infrastructure solution blueprint for the OS work package, ensuring robust, scalable, and future-proof platform foundations for our clients. You will be a valued member of the IT Infrastructure team and work collaboratively with solution architects, platform engineers, and client stakeholders to translate business requirements into solid OS-level designs.

In This Role, You Will

• Define and maintain the Linux infrastructure solution blueprint for the OS work package, aligning architecture decisions with enterprise standards and client needs.
• Own and govern OS standards across the environment, ensuring consistency, security, and compliance throughout the Linux estate.
• Develop and drive build automation strategies, leveraging tooling such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef to accelerate delivery and reduce manual effort.
• Design and implement a comprehensive patching strategy to maintain system integrity, minimize vulnerability exposure, and meet SLA commitments.
• Lead RHEL lifecycle planning, including version roadmap management, migration planning, and EOL (End of Life) transition strategies.

Work model

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs. The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What You Need To Have To Be Considered

• 7+ years of experience in Linux infrastructure architecture and/or design, with demonstrable ownership of large-scale environments.
• Deep expertise in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and/or CentOS, including advanced system administration, hardening, and configuration management.
• Proven hands‑on experience with build automation tooling (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Terraform, or equivalent), with a strong DevOps or Infrastructure-as-Code mindset.
• Solid understanding of patching strategies, vulnerability management frameworks, and OS compliance practices in enterprise settings.
• Experience developing and maintaining RHEL lifecycle plans, including upgrade paths, EOL migration roadmaps, and risk mitigation strategies.

These will help you stand out

• Familiarity with container platforms (e.g., OpenShift, Kubernetes) and their integration with Linux OS standards.
• Experience working in large, complex, multi‑client or managed services environments.
• Relevant certifications such as RHCA, RHCE, or equivalent Red Hat certification.
• Knowledge of security frameworks such as CIS Benchmarks or STIG applied to Linux environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and documentation skills, with a track record of producing architecture blueprints and solution design documents.

What We Offer

At Cognizant, we invest in our people. When you join us in the Netherlands, you can look forward to:

• Competitive salary aligned with your experience and the market
• Access to Udemy and Cognizant Academy for continuous learning and professional development
• NS Business Card for seamless public transport commuting
• 25 paid holidays per year
• Laptop and smartphone provided
• Solid pension scheme
• Work within a technology-driven organization at the forefront of digital innovation
• An open team spirit with a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing
• An international work environment connecting you to colleagues and clients across the globe