Data Engineer

Horizontal Talent; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent is seeking a hands-on infrastructure engineer to strengthen Linux environments, automate patching, and enable modern deployment models in production. You will partner across teams to resolve complex problems and drive operational improvements.

Responsibilities include patch planning, troubleshooting across Linux, automation for server config and deployment, and contributing to standardization and VM lifecycle goals.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on Linux server administration and production infrastructure support experience.
• Strong background in Linux patching, package and kernel management, and production change practices.
• Experience troubleshooting Linux systems, networking/connectivity, storage, services, and related operational issues.
• Hands-on automation and configuration management experience, with strong Ansible skills preferred.
• Working knowledge of Bash and the ability to support scripting or automation tasks.
• Experience with Chef or similar infrastructure tooling.
• Comfort working directly in production environments and collaborating across technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Support Linux server patching efforts from planning and dependency review through implementation, testing, rollback preparation, and issue resolution.
• Troubleshoot and resolve infrastructure issues across Linux operating systems, middleware, networking, certificates, storage, performance, authentication, and integrations.
• Build and enhance reusable automation for server configuration, patching, deployment, and day-to-day operational activities.
• Work with existing configuration management processes and contribute to improvements in infrastructure standardization.
• Help improve visibility into the virtual machine environment, including ownership, supportability, configuration consistency, capacity, upgrades, consolidation, and retirement planning.
• Evaluate workloads for container readiness and assist with practical container deployment patterns, pilots, and operational standards.
• Partner closely with infrastructure, application, network, security, and platform teams to support reliable production environments.

Skills

Linux Server Admin

Patching & Kernel Mgmt

Production Troubleshooting

Ansible Automation

Bash Scripting

Chef / Infra tooling

Production ops collaboration

Tools

Chef

Job description

Join a dynamic infrastructure engineering opportunity focused on strengthening Linux environments, improving automation, and supporting the path to more resilient, modern deployment models. This role is ideal for a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex technical problems, partnering across teams, and driving meaningful operational improvements in production systems.

Responsibilities

• Support Linux server patching efforts from planning and dependency review through implementation, testing, rollback preparation, and issue resolution.
• Troubleshoot and resolve infrastructure issues across Linux operating systems, middleware, networking, certificates, storage, performance, authentication, and integrations.
• Build and enhance reusable automation for server configuration, patching, deployment, and day-to-day operational activities.
• Work with existing configuration management processes and contribute to improvements in infrastructure standardization.
• Help improve visibility into the virtual machine environment, including ownership, supportability, configuration consistency, capacity, upgrades, consolidation, and retirement planning.
• Evaluate workloads for container readiness and assist with practical container deployment patterns, pilots, and operational standards.
• Partner closely with infrastructure, application, network, security, and platform teams to support reliable production environments.

Skills

• 4+ years of hands-on Linux server administration and production infrastructure support experience.
• Strong background in Linux patching, package and kernel management, and production change practices.
• Experience troubleshooting Linux systems, networking/connectivity, storage, services, and related operational issues.
• Hands-on automation and configuration management experience, with strong Ansible skills preferred.
• Working knowledge of Bash and the ability to support scripting or automation tasks.
• Experience with Chef or similar infrastructure tooling.
• Comfort working directly in production environments and collaborating across technical teams.

Preferred Skills

• Python scripting experience for infrastructure automation.
• Exposure to containerization concepts, deployment patterns, and operational best practices.
• Experience improving VM lifecycle management, including lifecycle planning and environment rationalization.
• Familiarity with certificate management, authentication troubleshooting, and infrastructure observability.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to operational improvement.

Horizontal is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where every person feels valued and respected. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and experiences who bring the skills and mindset needed to succeed in this role.

Applications will be accepted for 4 weeks.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement.

The pay range for this role is $37 - $71 per hour based on qualifications and experience.