Linux Architect

Optimal Growth Technologies; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 80 000 - 120 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is on the lookout for a highly skilled Linux Architect with over a decade of experience. This role involves designing, implementing, and optimizing enterprise Linux environments, ensuring high availability and performance of critical systems. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Linux infrastructures, automation, and cloud integration. You will lead modernization initiatives, manage security compliance, and mentor junior engineers. Join a forward-thinking company where your contributions will significantly impact the technological landscape and drive innovation in mission-critical systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in designing and implementing Linux architectures.
• Expertise in cloud integration and automation frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of security best practices and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable and secure Linux architectures.
• Oversee system performance tuning and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with DevOps teams to enhance CI/CD pipelines.

Skills

Linux operating systems (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, SUSE, Debian)

Scripting (Bash, Python, Perl, Go)

Configuration management tools (Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, Chef)

Cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift)

Virtualization technologies (VMware, KVM, Xen)

Monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, Splunk)

Security frameworks and Linux hardening best practices

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Excellent communication and documentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field

Master's degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field

Tools

Ansible

Terraform

Puppet

Chef

Docker

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Prometheus

Grafana

Nagios

Job description

Linux Architect

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Linux Architect with 10+ years of experience to design, implement, and optimize enterprise Linux environments. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Linux-based infrastructures, automation, security, and cloud integration, ensuring high availability, scalability, and performance of mission-critical systems.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Architecture & Design:

• Design and implement scalable, secure, and high-performance Linux architectures.
• Define best practices and standards for Linux infrastructure, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Lead migration and modernization initiatives, including on-premises to cloud transformations.
• Evaluate and recommend Linux distributions (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE) and associated technologies.

2. System Administration & Performance Optimization:

• Oversee Linux system configuration, performance tuning, and troubleshooting.
• Implement automation frameworks using Ansible, Terraform, or Puppet for efficient system provisioning and configuration management.
• Manage kernel tuning, patching, and upgrades to maintain system stability and security.
• Ensure high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) strategies are in place.

3. Security & Compliance:

• Implement and maintain security best practices, including SELinux, firewalls, and access controls.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and implement remediation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with security standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, and CIS benchmarks.
• Work closely with security teams to implement SIEM, logging, and monitoring solutions.

4. Cloud & Virtualization:

• Architect and manage Linux workloads on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Optimize Linux systems for containerization (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift) and virtualization (VMware, KVM, Xen).
• Lead the adoption of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and cloud automation strategies.

5. DevOps & Automation:

• Collaborate with DevOps teams to enhance CI/CD pipelines using Git, Jenkins, and Kubernetes.
• Develop scripts using Bash, Python, or Perl to automate system tasks.
• Integrate Linux systems with configuration management tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet).

6. Monitoring & Incident Management:

• Implement proactive monitoring and alerting using Prometheus, Grafana, Nagios, or Zabbix.
• Ensure root cause analysis and effective resolution of system issues.
• Lead capacity planning and system scalability assessments.

7. Technical Leadership & Documentation:

• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers and system administrators.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and SOPs.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, developers, and security teams to align Linux infrastructure with business objectives.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field.

Relevant certifications:

• Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, or Google Cloud Professional Architect (preferred).
• CISSP, CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator), or Terraform Associate (a plus).

Technical Skills:

• Expert-level knowledge of Linux operating systems (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, SUSE, Debian).
• Proficiency in scripting (Bash, Python, Perl, or Go).
• Experience with configuration management tools (Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, Chef).
• Strong understanding of cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Expertise in containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift).
• Knowledge of virtualization technologies (VMware, KVM, Xen).
• Hands-on experience with networking concepts, load balancing, and firewall configurations.
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, Splunk).
• Understanding of security frameworks, IAM policies, and Linux hardening best practices.

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to lead teams and collaborate across departments.
• Experience in managing multiple projects and working in agile environments.