Linux Software and Security Engineer - eLxr (12+ years)

ALTEN; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a Linux Software & Security Engineer to enhance and secure its Debian-based distribution. Candidates must possess 12+ years of Linux engineering experience, strong programming skills, and familiarity with various security frameworks. Responsibilities include development, maintaining security, and optimizing packages. This role requires being present on-site in Greater Austin, TX, and offers the chance to work with cutting-edge security practices and technologies.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of hands-on experience in Linux engineering, software development, or distribution maintenance.
• Understanding of secure coding practices and general software security principles.
• Strong understanding of Linux internals; Debian experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software components used within the eLxr distribution.
• Monitor upstream projects, security alerts, and community patches to keep packages updated.
• Collaborate on architecture and design decisions affecting distribution and security posture.

Skills

Linux engineering

Software development

Security expertise

C/C++ programming

Python scripting

Automated security scanning

Debian packaging

CI/CD systems

Education

B.Sc. in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Debian packages

Docker

Kubernetes

GitLab CI

Job description

About The Opportunity

eLxr is a Debian-based Linux distribution engineered for performance, reliability, and enterprise class-security. We are expanding our core engineering team and seeking a Linux Software & Security Engineer with strong programming, packaging, and security expertise to help evolve and secure the platform.

Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain software components used within the eLxr distribution (C/C++, Python, or similar languages).
• Create, update, and optimize Debian packages.
• Contribute fixes and patches upstream to Debian when appropriate, following community guidelines.
• Maintain and enhance build scripts, packaging pipelines, and system tooling to support secure and reproducible builds.
• Monitor upstream projects, Debian security alerts, mailing lists, and community patches to keep packages updated and secure.
• Collaborate on architecture and design decisions affecting distribution direction, package quality, and security posture.
• Document processes, package changes, upstream contributions, and security fixes for internal and external stakeholders.
• Work closely with kernel, platform, infrastructure, and security engineering teams.

Security Engineering & Hardening

• Investigate, triage, reproduce, and remediate CVEs across the distribution; create, backport, test, and sign patches.
• Implement distribution-wide hardening aligned with STIG, CIS Benchmarks, and secure coding guidelines.
• Participate in FIPS-related development and validation activities. Work with OpenSSL, GnuTLS, and other crypto toolkits to maintain secure configurations and enforce strong defaults.
• Develop and maintain secure boot, and trusted boot workflows (e.g., UEFI Secure Boot, TPM integration).

Qualifications

• B.Sc. in Computer Science or related technical field.
• 12+ years of hands-on experience in Linux engineering, software development, or distribution maintenance.
• Familiarity with STIG, CIS, FIPS 140‑x, NIST 800‑53, or similar security frameworks.
• Experience with secure boot, UEFI firmware, TPM, key signing, and related boot‑chain security.
• Knowledge of automated security scanning and vulnerability (CVE) management tools.
• Strong understanding of Linux internals; Debian experience preferred.
• Proficiency in a systems programming language (C/C++, Rust) and/or scripting languages (Python, shell).
• Understanding of secure coding practices and general software security principles.
• Must reside in Greater Austin, TX area with ability to be present on site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of cryptographic libraries (OpenSSL, GnuTLS), PKI concepts, and secure protocol configuration.
• Experience with Debian packaging tools.

Experience Contributing To Debian Or Other Open-source Communities

• Familiarity with CI/CD systems and secure build pipelines (GitLab CI preferred).
• Understanding of kernel security features and Linux security modules (AppArmor, SELinux).
• Experience with containerization and cloud technologies, including Docker, Kubernetes, AWS.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within distributed teams.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Self‑motivated‑ with the ability to work independently on complex tasks.