Linux Systems Administrator (5483)

Socket.dev; Patuxent Highland (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

SMX is seeking a Linux System Administrator to support an embedded lab environment at NAS Patuxent River. The role handles hardware, OS, and applications ensuring compliance with DoD standards through patching, STIGs, backups and scanning.

The ideal candidate has strong Linux expertise, scripting skills, and experience with Ansible, plus solid troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities to keep lab systems secure and operational.

Qualifications

• Secret clearance required
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret
• 3+ years of related experience
• Onsite at NAS Patuxent River (CWS eligible)
• Linux proficiency (RHEL/Ubuntu/CentOS)
• Linux shell scripting proficiency
• Experience with Ansible
• Foundational troubleshooting and critical thinking
• Ability to follow established processes for compliance, configuration, and documentation

Responsibilities

• Provide hardware support for deployed lab systems
• Install, configure, and support operating systems and application software
• Perform compliance tasks including STIG application, patching, backups, and vulnerability scanning across all lab devices
• Develop and maintain Linux scripts to support system administration tasks
• Create and maintain Ansible playbooks for automation of administrative and compliance activities
• Troubleshoot technical issues across hardware, OS, applications, and network connectivity
• Work collaboratively with other administrators and engineers to ensure lab systems remain secure and operational

Skills

Linux

Shell scripting

Ansible

Troubleshooting

Security clearance

Onsite availability

Job description

SMX is seeking a Linux System Administrator to support an embedded lab environment at NAS Patuxent River.

This role provides direct hands‑on support for hardware, operating systems, and applications within an embedded environment. The Linux System Administrator will ensure deployed lab systems are fully compliant with DoD security and configuration standards by performing patching, scanning, backup, and STIG application.

The ideal candidate will have strong Linux expertise, practical scripting skills, and experience with automation through Ansible, combined with foundational troubleshooting and problem‑solving capabilities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide hardware support for deployed lab systems
• Install, configure, and support operating systems and application software
• Perform compliance assurance tasks including STIG application, patching, backups, and vulnerability scanning across all lab devices
• Develop and maintain Linux scripts to support system administration tasks
• Create and maintain Ansible playbooks for automation of administrative and compliance activities
• Troubleshoot technical issues across hardware, OS, applications, and network connectivity
• Work collaboratively with other administrators and engineers to ensure lab systems remain secure and operational

Required Skills & Experience

• Clearance Required: Secret
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Top Secret
• 3+ years of related experience
• Ability to work onsite at NAS Patuxent River (CWS eligible)
• Proficiency with Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu/Solaris/CentOS) required
• Proficiency with Linux shell scripting required
• Experience with Ansible required
• Foundational troubleshooting and critical thinking skills
• Ability to follow established processes for compliance, configuration, and documentation

Desired Skills & Experience

• Familiarity with compliance practices including DoD STIGs, patching, and scanning
• Experience in lab or RDT&E support environments
• Exposure to networking and virtualization technologies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

#cjpost #LI-ONSITE

The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning & development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.

$95,000—$145,000 USD

At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.

We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.

SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.

Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.

SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).