Linux Systems Administrator - ACTIVE SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED

LLNL$125K — $185K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active DOE Q clearance or active Top Secret clearance with SCI access eligibility
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, IT, or Engineering or equivalent experience
  • Strong understanding of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP and DNS
  • Broad knowledge of Linux operating systems and hardware
  • Experience with diskless Linux infrastructure and PXE boot technologies
  • Proven ability to apply security hardening standards
  • Experience in complex troubleshooting

Responsibilities

  • Provide Tier 3 support for Linux and storage systems
  • Architect and maintain diskless Linux environments with PXE booting
  • Implement Linux system hardening aligned with security policies
  • Monitor and optimize system performance and lifecycle management
  • Create and maintain system architecture and troubleshooting documentation
  • Collaborate with cybersecurity teams for incident response and audits
  • Perform installation of software releases and patches

Benefits

  • Full-time on-site position due to work nature
  • Opportunity for advancement with additional responsibilities
  • Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
  • Exposure to advanced projects in a high-security environment
  • Opportunity to act as a subject matter expert in Linux infrastructure
Full Job Description
Job Description

We're looking for a Linux Systems Administrator to provide advanced technical computer infrastructure support for Linux systems in a complex classified and unclassified computing environment. This role serves as a subject matter expert of Linux infrastructure, collaborates with customers and technical partners to define requirements and design computing solutions, and leads resolution of broad, complex system issues with long-term operational and security Impact. This position is in the Information Technology Operations (ITO) Division within the Computing Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will
  • Provide Tier 3 support for Linux and storage systems, including incident resolution, root cause analysis, and long-term remediation on classified and unclassified networks.
  • Architect, implement, and maintain diskless Linux environments, including PXE booting and related provisioning, identity and authentication services, such as FreeIPA or similar identity management solutions.
  • Implement technical standards for Linux system hardening in alignment with security policies, STIGs, CIS benchmarks, and other security baseline standards.
  • Monitor and optimize system performance, capacity planning, reliability engineering, and lifecycle management across Linux platforms.
  • Create and maintain documentation for system architectures, procedures, runbooks, and troubleshooting guides.
  • Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to support vulnerability management, incident response, and audit activities on both classified and unclassified systems.
  • Perform installation of software releases, patches of operating systems and utilities, third-party products, and open-source software.
  • Collaborate with management, customers, and team members to evaluate and recommend procurement of Linux hardware and software.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 393.2 level
  • Act as an internal and external consultant in area of expertise, advising customers, peers, and management on Linux architecture, security, performance, and operational strategy.
  • Implement highly advanced designs, produced in collaboration with data scientists and infrastructure architects.
  • Lead advanced projects from concept through implementation, coordinating technical scope, milestones, risks, and customer communication.
  • Provide technical direction on complex operational and project-based work to team members.

Qualifications
  • Active DOE Q clearance (or active Top Secret clearance) with the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
  • Ability to successfully complete a lifestyle polygraph as required by the sponsoring program.
  • Bachelor's Degree in a Computer, Information Technology, or Engineering related field or equivalent combination of technical training and experience.
  • Strong understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls) as they relate to Linux systems.
  • Broad and in-depth knowledge of and technical experience with Linux operating systems and related hardware.
  • Experience supporting diskless Linux infrastructure, including PXE booting and other Linux network boot or diskless boot technologies.
  • Experience applying security hardening standards and working in environments with strict security and compliance requirements.
  • Experience with complex troubleshooting.
  • Advanced ability to set priorities and independently resolve complex problems in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience patching operating systems and performing installation of software releases.
  • Proficient interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills, with the ability to work independently and interact with a multi-disciplinary staff in a team environment.

Additional qualifications at the 393.2 level
  • Demonstrated experience architecting and deploying Linux infrastructure solutions for complex or high-security environments.
  • Highly advanced knowledge of and significant technical experience with Linux operating systems, virtual environments, and/or related hardware.
  • Significant experience working on cross-functional technical efforts involving systems, storage, network, and cybersecurity teams.
  • Experience serving as a recognized subject matter expert, defining technical standards and best practices, and participating in technical reviews, audits, or customer engagements.

Qualifications We Desire
  • Broad and in-depth knowledge and technical expertise with enterprise support tools for management, patching, backup or software distribution, Linux operating systems and computer security concepts and practices, and computer network hardware/software protocols and principles.
  • Experience with writing intermediate to advanced shell scripts.
  • Experience with one or more of the following technologies: SPLUNK, Tenable Security Scanner, Nessus, Puppet, Ansible or equivalent, Nagios, RHN Satellite, PKI authentications, Active Directory, Scripting, GIT, BIND, DNS, Perl, CSH/BASH, Docker, Podman, and other container technologies.

Pay Range

$125,310 - $153,444 Annually for the 393.1 level

$151,620 - $185,640 Annually for the 393.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

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