Senior Linux and Network Engineer

Digital Cloak; Stafford (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Cloak in Stafford, VA seeks a skilled Linux and Network Engineer to operate as a matrixed resource managing enterprise infrastructure and delivering client solutions. You will lead or contribute across multiple workstreams with minimal supervision and occasional after-hours support for uptime.

The role requires hands-on experience in Linux, virtualization, containerization, and security hardening, with strong collaboration with clients and internal teams to ensure reliable operations.

Qualifications

• Expert-level Linux system administration in a production environment.
• Strong Bash and Python for building tooling, not just one-off scripts.
• Hands-on networking experience with pfSense/OPNsense/Cisco/Aruba devices.
• Proxmox VE experience: VM provisioning, SDN, Ceph storage.
• Docker experience: building images, Compose stacks, container networking.
• Ability to methodically isolate root cause in complex multi-layer environments.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Adept leadership and collaboration, with ability to guide others.
• Self-starter with ownership of outcomes.
• Cybersecurity and system hardening experience.
• Automation-first mindset: develop tooling to scale daily work.

Responsibilities

• Own the internal Linux servers, enterprise apps, network infrastructure, and end-user computing.
• Perform patching, maintenance, and lifecycle management across systems and devices.
• Maintain environment uptime and respond to rare after-hours issues when needed.
• Configure and manage routers, firewalls, switches, and wireless networks (pfSense/OPNsense/Cisco/Aruba).
• Build, operate, and optimize Proxmox virtualization; VM provisioning, SDN, Ceph storage.

Skills

Linux admin

Bash scripting

Python scripting

Networking

Proxmox VE

Docker

Ceph storage

Root cause analysis

Technical writing

Security hardening

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT or related field

Equivalent 3-5 years hands-on experience

Tools

Proxmox VE

Docker

Kubernetes

pfSense/OPNsense

Cisco/Aruba

Job description

Job Summary

Digital Cloak is seeking a highly skilled, self-motivated Linux and Network Engineer to operate as a matrixed resource managing and secure the enterprise digital infrastructure and contributing to client delivery efforts as needed. This role requires the ability to direct multiple workstreams and adaptability to prioritize tasks and deliverables based on business needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will exhibit professionalism and strong interpersonal skills that allow them to effectively lead or contribute to cross functional efforts and engage directly with clients or stakeholders as needed.

This position requires experience operating and maintaining a mixed operating environment. To succeed, a candidate will need to be able to thrive in a fluid work environment with minimal direction or supervision. Rare after-hours support may be required, as this individual is responsible for environment uptime.

Essential Functions

• Infrastructure Ownership & Operations
• Own the full internal environment: Linux servers, enterprise applications, network infrastructure, and end-user computing.
• Perform patching, maintenance, and lifecycle management across systems and network devices.
• Maintain environment uptime and availability; respond to rare after-hours issues when systems are impacted.
• Networking
• Configure and manage routers, firewalls, switches, and wireless across pfSense, OPNsense, Cisco, and Aruba platforms.
• Perform router and firewall configuration, Cisco switch configuration, and Aruba wireless access point deployment and management.
• Virtualization, Storage & Containers
• Build, operate, and optimize the Proxmox virtualization environment, including VM provisioning, software-defined networking, and Ceph distributed storage.
• Deploy, maintain, and troubleshoot containerized services and workloads on Docker-based infrastructure.
• Troubleshooting & Communication
• Diagnose complex, multi-layer issues end-to-end, tracing problems to true root cause rather than treating symptoms.
• Communicate findings and resolutions clearly to technical stakeholders, non-technical staff, and end users alike.
• Automation & Tooling
• Design and write automation tooling in Bash and Python to streamline provisioning, monitoring, maintenance, and daily operations.
• Identify and implement process and design improvements that scale the effectiveness of a one-person IT function.
• End-User & Enterprise Application Support
• Support enterprise workflows and corporate applications, ensuring reliability and a smooth end-user experience.
• Unblock end users promptly and serve as the primary point of contact for internal IT needs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Expert-level Linux system administration with complete fluency in the terminal (Windows administration is not required for this role).
• Strong Bash scripting and Python skills — able to design and build tools, not just run one-off scripts.
• Hands-on networking experience with pfSense, OPNsense, Cisco, and Aruba, including router/firewall, switch, and wireless AP configuration.
• Proven competency with Proxmox VE, including VM configuration, software-defined networking, and Ceph storage.
• Competent Docker user: building images, writing Compose stacks, and managing container networking, volumes, and runtime troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to methodically isolate root cause in complex, multi-layer environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain the same issue to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Adept leadership skills demonstrating the ability to guide others in shared tasks, recognizing strengths and creating space for input, and receiving constructive feedback.

• Self-starter who operates effectively with minimal direction and takes full ownership of outcomes.
• Cybersecurity and system hardening experience.
• Automation-first mindset: builds tooling to enhance and scale everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications / Licenses, Related Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field, or equivalent 3-5 hands-on experience.
• Demonstrated experience administering Linux systems and supporting networked infrastructure in a production environment.

Preferred Education, Certifications / Licenses, Related Experience

• Certifications such as Security+, CCNA, or RHCSA are welcomed and noted, but strong practical ability takes precedence over credentials.
• MDM experience, especially JAMF and/or macOS fleet management.
• Kubernetes experience (any distribution - k8s, k3s, RKE2) for orchestrated workloads.
• Elastic Stack experience in a SOC/SIEM or security monitoring context.
• Structured patching and maintenance program experience.
• VPN and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions, including WireGuard.
• Identity and access management experience: LDAP, OIDC, OAuth, or other SSO implementations.

Physical Job Requirements

• This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (standing and/or seated) more than half the time.
• This position requires the ability to spend more than half the time viewing computer monitors.

Clearance Requirements

• US Citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Primary Work Location

• This is a fully on-site position performed at Digital Cloak's facility in Stafford, VA (Quantico Corporate Center). Employee should live within a 45 minute drive of the facility in the event of emergency maintenance.

Travel Requirements

• This position has minimal travel requirements, up to 10%.

Other Duties

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Disability Specifications

• Digital Cloak will make reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Equal Opportunity

Digital Cloak is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Digital Cloak is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. Digital Cloak is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please email [e-mail]. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.