Senior Linux Engineer

Leidos LLC; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a TS/SCI cleared Senior Linux Engineer at Langley AFB, VA to design and implement Infrastructure as Code and manage Red Hat Linux environments. On-site responsibilities include automating deployments, maintaining RHEL, and leading automation efforts across CI/CD pipelines.

The role requires 8+ years of Linux experience, DoD clearance, and IAT II Security+ certification, with strong expertise in Ansible, Terraform, Packer, and virtualization technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of experience or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of experience.
• Active DoD TS/SCI Clearance is required.
• DoD 8570/8140-compliant certification at IAT Level II - CompTIA Security+ CE.
• 6+ years of Linux Administration.
• Experience with containerization products such as Podman, Docker, Kubernetes, RedHat OpenShift, or Rancher.
• Experience with configuration management systems like Puppet, Ansible, or Salt.
• Hands-on experience with virtualization technologies.
• Scripting in Bourne shell, sed, awk, Perl, or Python.
• Understanding of LDAP and SSO technologies.
• Strong focus on automation and IaC.

Responsibilities

• Administer and deploy server hardware, RHEL 9 OS, and critical applications.
• Design, develop, and maintain Ansible playbooks and roles.
• Implement and manage configuration management using Ansible across RHEL systems.
• Automate deployments using Ansible, Terraform, and Packer.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in Ansible deployments and RHEL environments.
• Collaborate to integrate Ansible automation into CI/CD pipelines.
• Maintain RHEL systems, patching, upgrades, and security hardening.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior team members.
• Stay updated with industry trends and emerging automation tools.

Skills

Linux Administration

Ansible

Terraform

Packer

Scripting

LDAP/SSO

Infrastructure as Code

Automation

Security hardening

Virtualization

Education

Bachelor's degree with 8+ years experience

Master's degree with 6+ years experience

Tools

Podman

Docker

Kubernetes

Red Hat OpenShift

Rancher

Puppet

Salt

Ansible Automation Platform

Satellite

Job description

The Defense Sector at Leidos is looking for a TS/SCI cleared Senior Linux Engineer to design and implement Infrastructure as Code for various deployments and to manage servers, and related services. The Senior Linux Engineer will be responsible for implementing, managing, installing and upgrading our Red Hat Linux environments. The job duties will be performed on site at Langley Air Force base, VA.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the administration, and deployment of server hardware, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Operating Systems, and critical applications.
• Design, develop, and maintain Ansible playbooks and roles for infrastructure automation.
• Implement and manage configuration management using Ansible across our RHEL systems.
• Automating deployments using Ansible Automation Platform (AAP), Terraform, and Packer.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in Ansible deployments and RHEL environments.
• Optimize existing Ansible code and RHEL configurations for improved performance and efficiency.
• Collaborate with other teams to integrate Ansible automation into CI/CD pipelines.
• Manage and Maintain RHEL systems, including patch management, upgrades, and security hardening.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior team members.
• Stay current with industry trends, best practices, and developments in Ansible, RHEL, and related technologies.
• Research emerging tools and technologies that help improve automation, security and performance.
• Ensure compliance with current security policies and remediations.
• Proactively monitor and measure systems performance to detect trends and catch problems before users are impacted.
• Work closely with other support teams to ensure incident events are handled in a timely manner.
• Administer and maintain Satellite/Capsule management systems.
• Routinely apply security and application patches to systems and container images, ensuring that vulnerabilities are mitigated, and software operates effectively.
• Handle incoming technical escalations from Service Desk, Network Security Operations Center, Tier II, and other support teams.
• Document and map architecture of the current RHEL environment and support the development of an Infrastructure Automation roadmap.
• Assist with retrospective related activities and support various efforts related to operational improvements.
• Contribute to documentation in the Knowledge Base, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), work instructions, and job aids.
• Continuously cross-train to also support other technical tasks and responsibilities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of experience or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of experience.
• Additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Must have an active and current DoD TS/SCI Clearance.
• DoD 8570/8140-compliant certification at IAT Level II - CompTIA Security+ CE required.
• 6+ years of Linux Administration.
• Experience with containerization products such as Podman, Docker, Kubernetes, RedHat OpenShift, or Rancher.
• Experience with configuration management systems like Puppet, Ansible, or Salt.
• Hands-on experience with virtualization technologies.
• Shell scripting experience with at least one scripting language: Bourne shell, sed, awk, Perl, or python.
• Understanding of LDAP and SSO technologies.
• Strong focus on automation.
• Familiar with writing Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Strong commitment to customer service and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to think strategically and proactively (rather than reactionary).
• Ability to work in a fast passed, highly dynamic environment and “learn on the job”.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep understanding of QEMU/KVM and RHEL networking.
• Expert in the Administration of Red Hat Satellite.
• Expert in the Administration and use of Ansible Automation Platform / Ansible Tower.
• Linux+ certification DABAOPP1.

Pay Range

Original Posting: August 3, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

• Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.

More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address.

If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Leidos

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.