Chef jobs in South Africa

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.