8+ years of hands-on Linux administration in enterprise or government environments, with deep expertise in Ubuntu Server LTS releases.
Working knowledge of Azure for Linux VMs, including networking and identity integration.
Experience with Azure DevOps and CI/CD workflows involving Linux systems.
Experience with Docker on Linux for secrets management in containerized environments.
Advanced Bash scripting and working PowerShell proficiency for automation.
Understanding of security practices such as UFW, SSH hardening, and SSL/TLS management.
Ability to work independently in a small, cross-functional IT and security team.
Responsibilities
Administer, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain RHEL and Ubuntu Server VMs and physical servers.
Maintain CIS-aligned hardening on Ubuntu systems and support compliance reporting.
Manage patching through Ubuntu Pro to minimize downtime.
Write and maintain automation in Bash and PowerShell for mixed environments.
Support Docker workloads and integrate with Azure Key Vault.
Manage identity integration and governance for secure access management.
Collaborate with cybersecurity to support audit findings and security posture.
Benefits
12-month contract with an option to extend.
100% onsite work in Montgomery, AL.
Opportunity to work in a cross-functional IT and security team.
Engage with impactful technology in the healthcare and public sector.
Full Job Description
Job Description
Title: IT - Medicaid - Senior Linux Administrator Duration: 12 Months (Option to extend) Location: Candidate will work 100% Onsite in Montgomery AL Main Office (No remote work allowed)
Position Overview
Seeking a Senior Linux Administrator for an on-site contract engagement.
This role operates, maintains, and secures RedHat, Ubuntu and other Linux systems running both on-prem and in Azure across both Commercial/GCC and Azure Government environments.
This role sits at the intersection of Linux administration and Azure operations.
Candidates should be equally comfortable at a Linux shell and working within AzureDevOps, Azure-native security tooling, and containerized workloads.
Key Responsibilities
System Administration & Maintenance: Administer, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain production and non-production RHEL and Ubuntu Server VMs and physical servers.
Security Hardening & Compliance: Maintain CIS-aligned hardening on Ubuntu systems, working within the agency's existing security stack, including Azure-native tooling such as Defender for Cloud and Azure Policy.
Support compliance reporting and remediation using this stack.
Patching & Lifecycle: Manage patching through Ubuntu Pro (Livepatch and Extended Security Maintenance) and APT, minimizing manual patch orchestration and unplanned downtime.
Automation & Scripting: Write and maintain automation in Bash and PowerShell to support a mixed Linux and Azure environment.
Familiarity with implementing Cron jobs and other scheduled automations.
Azure & DevOps Integration: Familiarity and experience with on-prem Azure DevOps for source control, pipelines, and CI/CD supporting Docker configuration and deployment to a Linux environment.
Containers & Secrets Management: Support Docker workloads running on standalone Linux VMs (outside of Kubernetes or Azure Container Instance clusters), including integrating containers with Azure Key Vault.
Experience with using Azure Container Registry, including Push/Pull and vulnerability scanning.
Identity & Access Management: Maintain and secure SSSD-based identity integration, including sudoers governance and PAM configuration.
Storage & Filesystem Management: Manage LVM, filesystems (XFS/EXT4), and partition layout, including dedicated mounts such AS /VAR, /TMP, and /var/log/audit, in line with CIS guidance.
Audit Support: Collaborate with the cybersecurity team to support audit findings, logging through auditd, and ongoing security posture, using the existing security stack and Azure-native tooling as the primary audit trail.
Required Qualifications & Technical Skills
8+ years of hands-on Linux administration in enterprise or government environments, with deep expertise in current Ubuntu Server LTS releases.
Working knowledge of Azure as an operating environment for Linux VMs, including networking, managed identity, and Key Vault integration.
Experience with Azure DevOps, including pipelines, repositories, and CI/CD workflows involving Linux systems.
Experience with Docker on Linux, including secrets management approaches for containers running outside of managed clusters.
Advanced Bash scripting and working PowerShell proficiency for cross-platform automation.
Understanding of UFW, SSH hardening, AppArmor, and SSL/TLS certificate management.
Proficiency with SYSTEMD, kernel tuning via /etc/SYSCTL.CONF, PAM, AUDITD, and log rotation.
Ability to work independently with limited dedicated Linux peer support, as part of a small, cross-functional IT and security team.
Preferred Qualifications
Certifications: Canonical/Ubuntu certifications, CISSP, or CompTIA Security+.
AZ-900 and/or AZ-104 preferred.
Healthcare or public sector experience, including state agency IT environments, MARS-E, HIPAA technical safeguards, or CMS security requirements.
Experience supporting development infrastructure with fast-changing workload requirements.
