Sr. Principal System Administrator

Prattwhitney; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

RTX in Plano, TX seeks a Sr. Principal Linux Systems Administrator to lead secure, cross-functional IT infrastructure for classified programs. You will manage RHEL environments, collaborate with Cybersecurity, mentor staff, and drive end-to-end solutions.

This role requires DoD clearance, U.S. citizenship, and the ability to obtain DoDD 8140/8570 certifications; regular 24x7 operations and occasional overtime.

Qualifications

• Active and transferrable final U.S. government issued Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start.
• U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility.
• DoD 8140/8570 certification requirements (DoDD) are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize Red Hat Enterprise Linux infrastructure for reliable IT operations.
• Serve as a senior technical resource to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems.
• Collaborate with Cybersecurity to ensure security requirements compliance and provide guidance.
• Mentor junior admins and lead operational tasks and maintenance.
• Lead technical meetings with teams and stakeholders to ensure best practices.
• Develop and enforce system administration processes and standards.
• Participate in Change Request reviews and Change Management Boards.
• Support DoD TS DoDD 8140/8570 certification requirements.
• Support 24x7 operations, occasionally beyond standard hours.

Skills

Scripting (Python/Go)

Education

University degree or equivalent

Tools

VMware

OpenShift

Kubernetes

Docker

Tanzu

Podman

Terraform/Ansible

Windows Administration

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-08-19 Country: United States of America Location: US-TX-PLANO-465 ~ 465 Independence Pkwy ~ INDEPENDENCE Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Top Secret Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Sr. Principal Linux Systems Administrator, in Infrastructure Workplace Services, will lead and collaborate with a diverse team to support fast‑paced, critical programs with classified information system capabilities. Success in this role means you can develop, implement and maintain secure, cost‑efficient environments across various classified programs. Program teams rely on your collaboration and guidance to define computing requirements and create end‑to‑end solutions to solve complex IT infrastructure problems.

What You Will Do:

• Manage and optimize Red Hat Enterprise Linux infrastructure, ensuring reliable and secure IT operations.
• Act as a senior technical resource for the team to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of assigned IT systems and applications.
• Partner with Cybersecurity teams to maintain compliance with security requirements and provide documentation, training, and guidance on advanced IT processes and procedures.
• Mentor and guide junior administrators across a broad range of responsibilities, including corrective and preventive maintenance, routine operational tasks, account management, and system performance tuning.
• Lead and contribute to technical meetings with internal teams and program stakeholders, providing technical guidance and best practice to ensure successful outcomes.
• Develop, document, and enforce system administration processes, standards, and best practices.
• Participate in Change Request reviews and serve on Change Management Boards at various program levels.
• Must be able to obtain Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8140 / 8570 Certification requirements (CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent certification).
• Systems are operational 24x7 and occasionally require work effort beyond standard work hours.

Travel required up to 5% Full time 100% Onsite position

Qualifications You Must Have:

Typically requires a University degree or equivalent experience and a minimum of 2 years of prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field. Active and transferrable final U.S. government issued Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start date with the ability to obtain program access after start. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• An active DoD TS Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8140 / 8570 Certification requirements (CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent certification and an Operating System Certification).
• Experience with any of the following technologies: VMware, OpenShift, Kubernetes, Docker, Tanzu, Podman, Infrastructure as Code (Terraform and/or Ansible), Windows administration.
• Scripting/coding proficiency (Python/Go/PowerShell/Bash).
• Experience supporting engineers in software, simulations, and hardware development.
• Experience working with NISPOM, JAFAN, JSIG, and/or DoD/RMF guidelines.

What We Offer:

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

Privacy Policy and Terms: RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses - Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity.

The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.