Systems Administrator (Linux / Automation Focus)

Trinzic; Maryland; On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Linux Systems Administrator with a focus on automation to design, deploy, and maintain Linux-centric server architectures across DoD test networks, ensuring DISA STIG and RMF compliance while leveraging Ansible for configuration management and container orchestration.

The role requires TS clearance, 10+ years of experience, VMware vSphere expertise, Red Hat Satellite, and strong scripting; travel up to 20% may be required, with a competitive compensation package.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance is required.
• Minimum 10 years in systems administration/engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field; relevant experience may substitute.
• Expertise with enterprise Linux (RHEL 7/8/9) architecture and security policies.
• Proficiency with Ansible playbooks, roles, and automation workflows.
• Experience administering VMware vSphere environments.
• DoD RMF and DISA STIG automation experience.
• Security certifications (CISSP/CASP/Security+) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain enterprise Linux distributions (RHEL, Rocky, CentOS).
• Develop and maintain Ansible playbooks and roles for provisioning and patching.
• Support containerized workloads with Docker/Podman/Kubernetes.
• Automate STIG enforcement and vulnerability remediation with ACAS/Nessus.
• Manage Red Hat Satellite or similar tooling for repos and images.
• Experience with VMware vCenter/vSphere and related virtualization tasks.
• Document SOPs, runbooks, and network diagrams for operations team.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

Linux systems administration

Automation scripting

Ansible

VMware vSphere

Education

Technical Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Red Hat Satellite

Foreman

ACAS/Nessus

HBSS/Trellix

Job description

Systems Administrator (Linux / Automation Focus)

Title

Systems Administrator (Linux / Automation Focus)

Systems Administrator (Linux / Automation Focus)

KBR is seeking a Senior Linux Systems Administrator with an emphasis on automation and orchestration to join our team.

The successful candidate will provide systems administration and infrastructure automation support to the Test Resource Management Center’s (TRMC) All Domain Test Range (ADTR) and INDOPACOM Pacific-Rim Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability Team, Joint Mission Environment Test Capability (JMETC) Secret Network (JSN) Node, JMETC Multiple Independent Levels of Security Network (JMN) Node, Secret Defense Research and Engineering Network (SDREN), and Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN).

You will design, deploy, and maintain robust Linux-centric server architectures, streamline configuration management using Ansible, and ensure full compliance with DISA STIGs and DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) standards across distributed test networks.

Responsibilities

• Linux Engineering & Administration: Install, configure, optimize, and maintain enterprise Linux distributions (RHEL, Rocky, CentOS) and associated core services across bare-metal and virtualized environments.
• Configuration Management & Automation: Develop, test, and maintain reusable Ansible playbooks, roles, and collections to automate baseline provisioning, system hardening, recurring patching cycles, and configuration drift remediation.
• Containerization & Orchestration: Support containerized environments using Docker, Podman, and Kubernetes, ensuring seamless workload deployment and lifecycle management.
• Security & STIG Automation: Automate the implementation and audit verification of DISA STIGs across Linux operating systems and application stacks; remediate vulnerability findings identified via ACAS/Nessus.
• Lifecycle & Repository Management: Manage software repositories, system updates, and image baselines utilizing enterprise tools such as Red Hat Satellite, Foreman, or equivalent local mirrors.
• Cross-Platform Infrastructure Support: Administer supporting virtualization (VMware vSphere/vCenter), storage systems, networking hardware, and secondary Windows services within a heterogeneous environment.
• Compliance & Monitoring: Maintain compliance with TRMC cybersecurity directives, RMF continuous monitoring policies, HBSS/Trellix agent deployments, and centralized logging/syslog infrastructure.
• Documentation & Operations: Author clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Ansible execution guides, and architecture/network diagrams to facilitate team knowledge transfer.

Required Qualifications

• Security Clearance: Must have an active Top Secret clearance.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in a Systems Administrator or Systems Engineering role.
• Education: Technical Bachelor’s degree (relevant professional experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree).
• Linux Proficiency: In-depth knowledge of Enterprise Linux (RHEL 7/8/9) system architecture, storage management (LVM), systemd, firewalld, SELinux policies, and Bash/shell scripting.
• Automation Tooling: Hands‑on experience developing, testing, and debugging production Ansible playbooks, inventory structures, and automation workflows.
• Virtualization: Proven experience administering virtualization platforms, preferably VMware environments (vSphere, vCenter, vDS, NSX).
• Physical & Travel Requirements: Ability to lift up to 35 lbs; willing to travel up to 20%.

Desired Qualifications

• Container Platforms: Experience with container engines and orchestration platforms (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, or Red Hat OpenShift).
• Patch & Node Management: Experience deploying and operating Red Hat Satellite / Capsule servers or automated Kickstart workflows.
• DoD Security Compliance: Experience hardening Linux environments using SCAP tools, applying DISA STIGs, and working within DoD RMF-accredited enclaves.
• Cybersecurity Tools: Working knowledge of ACAS/Nessus vulnerability scanners and Trellix (HBSS/EPO) Linux agents.
• Certifications: Current DoD 8570/8140-compliant baseline certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CASP+, or CISSP) and a Linux Computing Environment certification (e.g., RHCSA, RHCE, or Linux+).
• Networking & DoD WANs: Familiarity with Layer 2/3 networking, firewall operations, and DoD networks including DREN and SDREN.
• Mixed OS Knowledge: Experience supporting Windows Server environments (Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, PKI) in a hybrid enterprise.

Basic Compensation

$130,000 - $170,000 (For Maryland Only)

$130,000 - $170,000 (For Virginia Only)

$120,000 - $150,000 (For Nevada Only)

$130,000 - $170,000 (For California Only)

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

We is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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