Senior Linux Systems Administrator

Leidos; Maryland; On-site; USD 116,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

11 paid Holidays

401K with employer match

Flexible schedules

Education and Training Support

Parental Paid Leave

Discounted Stock Purchase Plans

Technical Upskilling

Job summary

Leidos, a leader in national security, seeks a Senior Linux Systems Administrator to deliver robust RHEL/Linux operations across development, test, and production. You’ll implement security hardening, automate with Ansible and Python, and support mission-critical workloads in a regulated environment.

Ideal candidates bring deep Linux expertise, experience with automation, and strong collaboration with SAs, DBAs, and developers in a TS/SCI context.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on Linux administration in RHEL environments.
• Experience with automation via Ansible, Bash, and Python.
• Strong networking fundamentals and security hardening experience.
• Active TS/SCI with polygraph.
• Bachelor’s degree with 10 years related experience; 5 years may substitute.

Responsibilities

• Administer, secure, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux systems across Development, Test, and Production environments.
• Lead root-cause analysis across OS, storage, applications, and network.
• Manage Linux system lifecycle: accounts, patching, package management, configuration, upgrades.
• Develop automation and configuration-management solutions using Ansible, Bash, Python, or similar.
• Maintain documentation and participate in rotational on-call support for mission environments.

Skills

RHEL/Linux

Ansible

Bash

Python

Networking basics

Security hardening

Vulnerability remediation

Change management

Automation

Linux troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

AWS

Terraform/CloudFormation

Kubernetes

Splunk/CloudWatch

Nessus

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Linux Systems Administrator in our Intelligence Sector, Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Job Summary

The ideal candidate brings deep hands‑on Linux administration experience and is comfortable supporting mission‑critical Development, Test, and Production environments using command‑line tools, system logs, automation, and established change‑management processes. The Linux Systems Administrator will serve as a senior technical resource responsible for system configuration, automation, security hardening, vulnerability remediation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of Linux‑based infrastructure and operational practices.

Primary Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, secure, monitor, and troubleshoot RHEL/Linux systems across Development, Test, and Production environments supporting mission‑critical workloads.
• Lead troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis across operating systems, applications, storage, authentication, performance, and network connectivity using Linux command‑line tools, system logs, and monitoring platforms.
• Manage Linux system lifecycle activities including account and permission administration, patching, package management, software installation, service configuration, upgrades, and ongoing system maintenance.
• Implement and maintain Linux security controls, hardening standards, vulnerability remediation, configuration baselines, and compliance requirements.
• Develop and maintain automation and configuration‑management solutions using Ansible, Bash, Python, or comparable technologies to improve consistency, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Independently research and resolve complex technical issues while collaborating with SAs, DBAs, SWEs, SEs, testers, and other team members to develop sustainable solutions and promote knowledge sharing across the team.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, SOPs, operational runbooks, system configurations, and change records, and participate in rotational on‑call support for the mission environment.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline from an accredited college or university and ten (10) years of related experience. Five (5) years of additional related experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
• Extensive hands‑on Linux systems administration experience, including RHEL or comparable enterprise Linux distributions, supporting complex production environments.
• Experience administering Linux systems including accounts and permissions, package management, patching, system services, storage, authentication, system configuration, and performance monitoring.
• Hands‑on experience with automation or configuration management using Ansible or comparable technologies, along with Bash and/or Python scripting.
• Strong Linux troubleshooting skills and knowledge of networking fundamentals including DNS, TCP/IP, IP addressing, ports, routing, and firewalls.
• Experience with Linux security hardening, vulnerability remediation, configuration management, and formal change‑control processes.
• Active TS/SCI with polygraph.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced experience with Ansible and RHEL 9, including automated configuration, provisioning, and repeatable system administration.
• Experience with AWS, including EC2, Systems Manager (SSM), CloudFormation, and associated monitoring and operational services.
• Experience with FIPS, SELinux, fapolicy, STIG requirements, vulnerability remediation, and Linux security controls.
• Experience with PKI, including certificates, keys, trusted authorities, and certificate revocation lists.
• Experience with Git‑based workflows, Terraform/CloudFormation, Salt, or other infrastructure/configuration automation technologies.
• Experience supporting Kubernetes/container platforms and monitoring, logging, or security technologies such as Splunk, Elastic, CloudWatch, SIEM solutions, or Nessus.
• Experience with Jira and Confluence and supporting Linux infrastructure within secure government, Intelligence Community, DoD, or similarly regulated environments.

Original Posting

August 25, 2026

Pay Range

Pay Range $116,350.00 - $210,325.00

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.

About 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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

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 at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non‑Discrimination

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.