Linux Engineer

Actalent; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Manassas, VA seeks a Linux Engineer to join a cross-functional team delivering a secure, efficient developer experience. You will modernize and containerize infrastructure, automate operations, and migrate to cloud platforms.

The role requires Linux proficiency, containerization, DevSecOps practices and DoD clearance eligibility. Onsite work with potential future remote options under program security requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or related field, with 2+ years of experience or Master’s degree.
• Strong Linux fundamentals and command line experience.
• Proficiency with Kubernetes and container technologies.
• Experience with CNCF projects like ArgoCD, Prometheus, Grafana, Nexus, Helm.
• CI/CD experience with Jenkins, Bamboo or similar tools; DevSecOps practices.
• Familiar with DISA cyber security standards and secure infrastructure.
• Eligibility to obtain DoD Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Enable a seamless developer experience across cross-functional teams.
• Automate infrastructure, tools, and workflows for deployments and monitoring.
• Design and maintain containerized environments for modern delivery.
• Migrate infrastructure using CI/CD pipelines into containerized/cloud setups.
• Enhance the DevSecOps pipeline with reliability and speed improvements.
• Collaborate with software, infra, and security teams to optimize performance.
• Develop cyber-secure infrastructure aligned with security standards.
• Lead improvements to tooling and processes to reduce friction for developers.

Skills

Linux

Kubernetes

CI/CD

DevSecOps

Agile development

Security clearance eligibility

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

ArgoCD

Prometheus

Grafana

Nexus

Helm

Jenkins

Bamboo

Job description

Job Title: Linux Engineer

Job Description

This role offers an opportunity for a Linux Engineer to join a cross-functional team focused on delivering a seamless, secure, and efficient developer experience. You will help modernize and containerize existing infrastructure, streamline operations through automation, and support the transition of systems to cloud-based environments. The position requires a strong foundation in Linux, familiarity with container and DevSecOps practices, and a commitment to continuous improvement in both technology and processes.

Responsibilities

• Engage as an active member of a cross-functional team responsible for enabling a seamless developer experience.
• Automate infrastructure, tools, and workflows to streamline operations, deployment, and monitoring processes.
• Design, implement, orchestrate, and maintain containerized environments to support modern application delivery.
• Use CI/CD pipelines to migrate current infrastructure into containerized and cloud-based environments.
• Maintain and enhance the DevSecOps pipeline, implementing process improvements to increase reliability and speed.
• Collaborate closely with software and infrastructure development teams to optimize application performance and ensure smooth integration of new features.
• Develop and maintain cyber-secure infrastructure in alignment with established security standards and best practices.
• Apply technical standards and methodologies creatively to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Champion improvements to developer experience by identifying pain points and implementing tools and processes that reduce friction.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and technologies, and proactively identify opportunities to operationalize them.
• Provide collaborative technical leadership, supporting and positioning team members for success.
• Contribute to the modernization and containerization of existing infrastructure to improve performance and usability and support cloud migration.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or a related science, engineering, or mathematics field, and at least 2 years of job-related experience, or a Master’s degree.
• Basic Linux fundamentals and command line experience, with a strong preference for deeper Linux expertise.
• Experience working with Linux in a professional or academic environment.
• Working knowledge of Kubernetes and container technologies.
• Familiarity with CNCF-graduated projects such as ArgoCD, Prometheus, Grafana, Nexus, and Helm.
• Experience with continuous integration tools such as Jenkins, Bamboo, or similar CI/CD platforms.
• Experience with DISA cyber security standards and best practices.
• Ability to develop and maintain cyber-secure infrastructure.
• Agile development experience (preferred).
• Ability to work effectively in a flexible environment that embraces rapid change and continuous learning.
• Strong collaboration skills and a team-oriented mindset.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Secret security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship, as required for access to classified information.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Passion for creating a pain-free developer experience and understanding of common challenges in delivering new features to production.
• Experience implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines to support containerized and cloud-based deployments.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of technology trends and willingness to champion new ideas and process improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate, and operationalize emerging tools and technologies.
• Experience working in highly secure environments or classified settings.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development for yourself and support for the growth of others.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to apply technical standards and methodologies in creative ways.
• Experience working within cross-functional teams that include software, infrastructure, and security professionals.

Work Environment

This position is based fully onsite in a classified SCIF environment, where all work must be performed within secure facilities. The role supports a program focused on modernizing and containerizing existing infrastructure to improve performance, simplify operations for end users, and support migration to cloud environments. The team operates in a flexible, Agile-oriented setting that embraces rapid change, continuous learning, and close collaboration across disciplines. A 9/80 work schedule option is available for those who prefer an adjusted workweek. Work involves hands-on use of Linux systems, container orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes, and DevSecOps toolchains including CI/CD platforms, monitoring and observability tools, and security-focused solutions. While work is initially exclusively onsite due to the classified nature of the environment, there may be opportunities for remote work in the future as program needs and security requirements allow. Dress code is consistent with a professional, secure engineering environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Manassas, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $52.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Manassas,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.