Linux Software and Security Engineer - eLxr (6+ years)

ALTEN; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology company is seeking a skilled Linux Software & Security Engineer in Greater Austin, TX. This role involves developing and maintaining security components and optimizing Debian packages. Candidates should have a B.Sc. in Computer Science, 6+ years of experience in Linux engineering, and proficiency in C/C++ or Python. The position offers opportunities to contribute to the security posture of an important Linux distribution and requires on-site presence.

Qualifications

• 6+ 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.
• Strong understanding of Linux internals; Debian experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software components used within the eLxr distribution.
• Create, update, and optimize Debian packages.
• Monitor upstream projects for security alerts and community patches.

Skills

Linux engineering

Software development

Security expertise

C/C++ programming

Python scripting

Debian packaging

Automated security scanning

Problem-solving

Education

B.Sc. in Computer Science or related technical field

Tools

OpenSSL

GnuTLS

Docker

Kubernetes

GitLab CI

Job description

Overview

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.

As a Linux Software and Security Engineer on the eLxr team, you will design, develop, and maintain security related components across the distribution while also contributing to packaging, patching, and security vulnerability (CVE) remediation. This role combines hands-on development with distribution engineering responsibilities, including upstream patch contributions to Debian, package updates, and secure build workflow support.

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.
• 6+ 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.