Linux Administrator

Thales-Trusted-Cyber-Technologies; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales-Trusted-Cyber-Technologies is seeking a Linux Administrator to manage Linux systems across on‑premises, air‑gapped, multi‑site, and cloud environments for a DoD defense contractor operating under CMMC requirements.

The role requires US citizenship, ability to obtain a Secret clearance, and 4–7+ years of hands-on Linux experience, with strong automation using Ansible and Red Hat Satellite/Insights, cloud proficiency, and CI/CD support for software engineering teams.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required and ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. Secret clearance.
• 4–7+ years of Linux systems administration experience, preferably in DoD or highly regulated environments.
• Strong experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments, including RHEL 8/9+.
• Experience supporting multi-site environments, air-gapped/disconnected systems, and cloud deployments.
• Experience with cloud providers (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government) and CI/CD tooling.
• Experience writing scripts (Bash, Python) to automate tasks.
• Knowledge of STIGs, FIPS, and NIST SP 800-171 controls.

Responsibilities

• Provide system administration and systems engineering support for RHEL-based and non-RHEL systems across on-premises, air-gapped, multi-site, and cloud environments.
• Install, configure, harden, maintain, and patch Linux servers and workstations in various configurations.
• Enforce security baselines and compliance requirements (STIG, FIPS, CMMC 2/NIST SP 800-171) on Linux systems.
• Utilize automation tools (Satellite, Ansible, related technologies) to provision, configure, patch, and deploy Linux systems at scale.
• Support software engineering by maintaining development, build, and CI/CD-related Linux infrastructure.
• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and perform break/fix tasks.
• Automate routine tasks using cron, systemd timers, Ansible, etc.
• Maintain baselines, configuration management, and change records for air-gapped and secure systems.
• Regularly patch and remediate vulnerabilities in connected and disconnected environments.
• Collaborate with security, network, and engineering teams to meet project objectives.

Skills

Linux administration

Security/compliance

Cloud environments

Automation

Scripting (Bash/Python)

Team collaboration

CI/CD tooling

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS or related field

Tools

Ansible

Red Hat Satellite/Insights

Terraform

Job description

Summary

The Linux Administrator is responsible for all aspects of systems administration, including servers, applications, workstations, and systems engineering support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)-based systems in a multi-site, hybrid (on-premises, air-gapped, and cloud) environment. This role supports a Department of Defense (DoD) defense contractor operating under CMMC requirements. The individual will administer and maintain the Engineering environment—applications, servers, and workstations—primarily on Linux (with some Windows support), enforce security baselines, and provide troubleshooting and end-user support in accordance with company IT guidelines and all applicable security rules for secure and air-gapped areas.

Qualification Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship REQUIRED
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret-level Security Clearance upon hire

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience (3–5+ years of relevant hands-on experience may be substituted).

Experience and Skills

• U.S. Citizenship Required – Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Secret Level Security Clearance upon hire
• 4–7+ years of job-related Linux systems administration experience (preferably in DoD, defense contractor, or highly regulated environments)
• Strong, hands-on experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments, including RHEL 8/9/+
• Experience supporting multi-site environments and air-gapped / disconnected systems (offline patching, media transfer, secure configuration management)
• Experience managing Linux systems in cloud environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, or equivalent), including provisioning, configuration, and security hardening of cloud-based RHEL instances
• Experience supporting software engineering / development teams (build servers, CI/CD tooling, development workstations, container-based workflows)
• Experience with containerization on Linux and familiarity with orchestration concepts
• Proficiency with infrastructure automation tools (Ansible, Red Hat Satellite / Red Hat Insights required; Terraform or similar IaC tools a strong plus)
• Ability to provision, install, configure, harden, patch, and troubleshoot Linux servers and workstations (physical, virtual, and cloud) including associated peripherals
• Experience writing scripts (Bash, Python, or similar) to automate installation, configuration, patching, and compliance tasks
• Familiarity with virtualized environments running Linux workloads
• Knowledge of security hardening and compliance frameworks relevant to DoD contractors (STIGs, FIPS, CMMC Level 2 / NIST SP 800-171 controls)
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical teams and software engineering groups to assess needs, resolve issues, and support project objectives
• Hyrbid work schedule with willingness to travel to Abingdon, MD and Clarksburg, MD (approximately once per week) and to participate in after-hours / weekend support for special projects and recurring maintenance when needed
• Ability to comply with all company guidelines, policies, procedures, and Core Values

Certifications (preferred)

• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to)

• Provide system administration and systems engineering support for RHEL-based and non-RHEL based linux systems across on-premises, air-gapped, multi-site, and cloud environments
• Install, configure, harden, maintain, and patch Linux servers and workstations in standalone, networked, air-gapped, and hybrid cloud configurations
• Enforce security baselines and compliance requirements (STIG, FIPS, CMMC Level 2 / NIST SP 800-171) on Linux systems in classified and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) environments
• Utilize automation tools (Satellite, Ansible, and related technologies) to provision, configure, patch, and deploy Linux systems and applications at scale
• Support software engineering departments by maintaining development, build, and CI/CD-related Linux infrastructure and tooling
• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and resolve break/fix problems on Linux workstations and servers
• Automate routine tasks using cron, systemd timers, Ansible, or other scheduling/automation methods
• Manage and maintain system baselines, configuration management, and documentation (including change records for air-gapped and secure systems)
• Perform regular patching and vulnerability remediation of Linux operating systems in both connected and disconnected environments
• Collaborate with security, network, and engineering teams to ensure systems

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