Systems Administrator (Linux / Automation Focus)

KBR Careers; Nellis Air Force Base Census-Designated Place (NV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Linux Systems Administrator with a focus on automation and orchestration. You will support TRMC ADTR and JMETC nodes, design scalable Linux architectures, and automate hardening and provisioning using Ansible across distributed test networks.

The role emphasizes DSLA STIG automation, RMF compliance, and containerized workloads with Docker/Podman/Kubernetes, plus virtualization and cross-platform support. Travel up to 20% may be required.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance required.
• 10+ years in a Systems Administrator/Engineering role.
• Technical Bachelor’s degree; degree may be substituted with experience.
• Deep knowledge of Enterprise Linux (RHEL 7/8/9), LVM, systemd, firewalld, SELinux, and Bash scripting.
• Hands-on Ansible playbooks, inventories, and automation workflows.
• Experience with virtualization (VMware vSphere/vCenter).
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and maintain Linux-centric server architectures.
• Develop and maintain Ansible playbooks and configurations for automation and hardening.
• Support containerized workloads with Docker/Podman/Kubernetes.
• Automate DISA STIG implementations and RMF compliance workflows.
• Manage software repositories and image baselines (Red Hat Satellite/Foreman).
• Administer virtualization, storage, networking, and Windows services in a hybrid environment.
• Maintain TRMC cybersecurity directives and centralized logging.
• Produce SOPs and architectural diagrams for team knowledge transfer.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

Linux administration

Automation scripting

Configuration management

Education

Bachelor's degree (technical)

Tools

Ansible

Docker

Podman

Kubernetes

Red Hat Satellite

Foreman

VMware vSphere/vCenter

Job description

Title Systems Administrator (Linux / Automation Focus)

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role — protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT, and cybersecurity solutions.
• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of multi-domain operations.

Position Overview 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.

KBR 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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