Linux Administrator

Thales Trusted Cyber Technologies; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Trusted Cyber Technologies is seeking a Linux Administrator to manage RHEL-based systems across multi-site, hybrid environments including on-prem, air-gapped, and cloud components for a DoD defense contractor.

The role requires strong Linux administration, security hardening, and collaboration with security, network, and engineering teams to ensure compliance with STIGs, FIPS, and CMMC controls. Some travel to Abingdon/MD areas may be required.

Qualifications

• 4-7+ years Linux admin experience in DoD/regulatory environments
• RHEL 8/9+ experience in multi-site, air-gapped settings
• Automation experience: patching, config management, and cloud provisioning

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, patch Linux servers/workstations in standalone, networked, air-gapped, and hybrid cloud setups
• Enforce security baselines and compliance requirements (STIG, FIPS, CMMC 2/NIST 800-171) on Linux systems
• Utilize automation tools (Satellite, Ansible) to provision, configure, patch, and deploy Linux systems
• Support software engineering by maintaining development, build, and CI/CD Linux infrastructure

Skills

Linux systems administration

RHEL

Cloud environments

CI/CD tooling

Scripting (Bash/Python)

Security hardening

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS or related field

Tools

Ansible

Red Hat Satellite

Red Hat 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

• 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