Senior Systems Administrator - RHEL

SAIC; Newington (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator - RHEL to join the MAJESTIC JPO Team in Springfield, VA. The role focuses on managing mission-critical Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems in a hybrid IT enterprise, ensuring security, reliability, and performance in a high-security environment.

The ideal candidate will have strong RHEL expertise, virtualization experience, and a track record with automation (Ansible/Puppet/Chef) and monitoring tools. On-site work is required.

Qualifications

• Expert in managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems and patching.
• Experience with virtualization (VMware vSphere/Nutanix AHV) and Windows Server.
• Familiar with STIGs, NIST 800-53, and security compliance.

Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, and maintain RHEL systems including patching and tuning.
• Perform advanced system administration for virtualized environments.
• Implement system hardening per STIG/NIST guidelines.
• Automate tasks using Bash or Python and Ansible.
• Monitor performance and storage using monitoring tools.
• Support DR and HA operations for Linux and hybrid systems.
• Document SOPs and troubleshooting guides.

Skills

RHEL administration

Scripting (Bash/Python)

System automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity / Computer Science / IT

Tools

Ansible

Puppet

Chef

VMware vSphere

Nutanix AHV

PowerShell

Python

Hyper-V

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Systems Administrator - RHEL to join our MAJESTIC Joint Program Office (JPO) Team in Springfield, VA. This individual will play an integral role in managing and optimizing mission‑critical Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems in a hybrid IT enterprise environment.

The ideal candidate will have in-depth expertise in RHEL system administration, including configuration, maintenance, and performance optimization. Additionally, experience with virtualized environments and enterprise systems, including Windows Server and HCI solutions, is critical. The candidate will ensure system security, reliability, and efficiency while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support operations. This position requires on-site support in a high-security, fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer, configure, and maintain Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems, including patching, upgrades, tuning, and troubleshooting
• Perform advanced system administration for virtualized environments, such as VMware vSphere or Nutanix AHV
• Implement and enforce system hardening procedures for RHEL platforms to align with security and compliance requirements, including STIGs and NIST 800-53 guidelines
• Automate regular administrative tasks using Bash, Python, or tools like Ansible
• Monitor and optimize system performance, storage, and network interfaces using tools like Splunk, Nagios, SolarWinds, or Grafana
• Perform disaster recovery (DR) and high availability (HA) operations on Linux-based and hybrid enterprise systems
• Manage centralized logging and monitoring for Linux systems to ensure audit compliance and detect vulnerabilities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration of RHEL systems with Windows Server, HCI technologies, and other enterprise IT environments
• Document standard operating procedures (SOPs), configuration changes, topology maps, and troubleshooting guides
• Support the evaluation of emerging RHEL and infrastructure technologies and recommend new solutions to enhance infrastructure performance and security

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• High School Diploma/GED

Certifications (CWF Requirements):

• Candidates must satisfy Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (CWF) ID 451 (System Administrator – Intermediate Level) requirements, as outlined by Navy COOL
  This requirement can be met by possessing one or more of the following qualifying certifications:
• CompTIA Cloud+
• CompTIA Security+
• GIAC Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP)
• GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

OR This requirement can be met through:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, IT, or a related field

Experience:

• 1-3 years of professional experience managing and supporting enterprise-level IT environments

Technical Skills:

• Expert in managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems, including provisioning, upgrades, system tuning, patching, and performance optimization
• Strong experience in system automation with tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef as well as scripting in Bash, Python, or PowerShell
• Familiarity with high availability (HA) concepts, including clustering for Linux environments
• Proficiency in monitoring and diagnostics tools (e.g., Splunk, SolarWinds, Grafana, or Nagios)
• Strong understanding of virtualization platforms, including VMware vSphere, Nutanix AHV, or Hyper‑V
• Knowledge of networking technologies and protocols, including TCP/IP, DNS, VLANs, and load balancing configurations for Linux systems
• Experience supporting compliance with industry standards like RMF, NIST 800-53, and DoD cybersecurity guidelines

Preferred Certifications (In Addition to CWF Requirements):

• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification (strongly preferred)
• Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP) certification or VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS) and hybrid cloud/hybrid IT implementations
• Knowledge of storage technologies and backup solutions
• ITIL v4 certifications for service management processes

Clearance Requirement:

• Active TS/SCI clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with Poly
• Candidate must be US Citizen

Work Environment and Notes:

• On-Site Work: All work must be conducted on-site in Springfield, VA
• Program Scope: Supports on-premises enterprise IT environments, including virtualized Windows servers, MS SQL Server databases, and networking layers
• Subcontractor Role: Responsibilities and compensation vary based on the subcontract agreement, with a competitive salary aligned to market rates and role-specific requirements

Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.