Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Senior Linux Engineer (Classified Environment)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS degree in a related technical field or equivalent experience/certifications
  • At least 8 years of Linux systems engineering or administration experience
  • Current Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
  • Advanced expertise in RHEL/Linux engineering and lifecycle management
  • Experience with automation tools like Ansible, Python, and Bash
  • Proven ability to lead complex technical efforts and solve infrastructure problems

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and modernization of secure Linux environments
  • Architect and optimize Red Hat and Ubuntu Linux platforms
  • Automate infrastructure using Ansible, Python, and Git
  • Implement secure computing solutions aligned with compliance frameworks
  • Integrate Linux with enterprise identity and security platforms
  • Serve as escalation point for complex technical challenges
  • Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies in advanced computing
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams for scalable solutions
  • Provide mentorship to engineers and establish engineering standards
  • Support mission-critical operations and maintenance

Benefits

  • Innovative work at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI/ML, and HPC
  • Opportunity to shape the future of secure computing environments
  • Collaboration with top professionals in national security and technology
  • Hands-on involvement in complex technical projects
  • Mentorship and development opportunities in cutting-edge technology frameworks
Full Job Description
Requisition Id 16990

Overview:

The Field Intelligence Operations Division (FIOD) of the National Security Directorate (NSSD) is seeking a highly skilled, cutting-edge Senior Linux Engineer to lead the design, evolution, and modernization of secure computing environments supporting some of the nation's most consequential national security, intelligence, and scientific missions.

This is more than a traditional Linux engineering role. You will operate at the intersection of advanced Linux architecture, cybersecurity, HPC, AI/ML, and classified computing, leading complex technical efforts and shaping secure, scalable, and resilient infrastructure where performance and reliability are mission critical.

As a senior technical contributor, you will help set technical direction, influence architecture, introduce emerging technologies, and solve the most challenging infrastructure problems across multiple security domains. You will collaborate with engineers, cybersecurity professionals, scientists, researchers, and mission partners while providing technical leadership and mentorship to others.

We are looking for someone with deep Linux expertise and an engineering mindset who enjoys architecting, building, automating, and solving difficult problems-and who can turn complex mission requirements into innovative, sustainable technical solutions.

If you want to remain hands-on while helping shape the future of secure computing, this is an opportunity to lead technically, influence what comes next, and build systems that matter.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design, engineering, and modernization of secure Linux infrastructure supporting classified national security, intelligence, scientific, HPC, and emerging mission environments.
  • Architect, build, optimize, and sustain enterprise Linux platforms, primarily Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or Ubuntu, across physical and virtual environments and multiple security domains.
  • Lead automation and infrastructure modernization using Ansible, Python, Bash, Git, and infrastructure-as-code practices to improve scalability, security, reliability, and operational efficiency.
  • Design and implement secure computing solutions aligned with RMF, NIST 800-53, STIGs, DOE directives, and ICD 503, including system hardening, vulnerability remediation, monitoring, and compliance.
  • Engineer Linux integration with enterprise identity, virtualization, storage, backup, monitoring, and security platforms, including Active Directory, LDAP, Kerberos, PKI, VMware, and KVM.
  • Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex Linux and infrastructure challenges, performing root-cause analysis and developing sustainable engineering solutions.
  • Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies, architectures, and engineering approaches, including HPC, AI/ML, GPU computing, containers, and other advanced computing capabilities.
  • Collaborate with cybersecurity, networking, storage, application, HPC, and mission teams to translate complex requirements into secure, resilient, and scalable technical solutions.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers while helping establish engineering standards, best practices, and technology roadmaps.
  • Support mission-critical operations, planned maintenance, and occasional after-hours requirements.


Basic Qualifications:
  • BS degree in a related technical field and at least eight years of Linux systems engineering or administration experience. Equivalent education, experience, and relevant certifications may be considered.
  • Current Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
  • Advanced expertise in RHEL/Linux engineering, architecture, troubleshooting, performance optimization, and lifecycle management.
  • Demonstrated experience with Ansible, Python, Bash, automation, and infrastructure-as-code practices.
  • Experience designing or integrating enterprise virtualization, identity, storage, monitoring/logging, and cybersecurity capabilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical efforts, make sound engineering decisions, and solve challenging cross-functional infrastructure problems.


Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in one or more of the following:
  • Classified, Intelligence Community, DoD, DOE, or other highly regulated computing environments.
  • HPC, AI/ML infrastructure, GPU computing, containers, Kubernetes, or advanced computing platforms.
  • Enterprise Linux architecture, large-scale automation, configuration management, CI/CD, or infrastructure-as-code.
  • RMF, NIST 800-53, STIG implementation, vulnerability management, and system authorization activities.
  • Designing and implementing enterprise virtualization, storage, backup, resiliency, and disaster-recovery architectures.
  • Leading major infrastructure modernization, technology refresh, or platform engineering initiatives.
  • Relevant advanced Linux, automation, cybersecurity, virtualization, or cloud certifications.


Special Requirements:
  • Visa sponsorships: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • Physical Requirements: Work may involve various physical requirements and working conditions.
  • Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: Q Clearance with SCI: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due to the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.
  • Sensitive Access: Eligibility for access to Sensitive or Special Access Program Information


#LI-DC1

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.



About Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a science and technology national laboratory managed for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) by UT-Battelle. ORNL is the largest science and energy national laboratory in the Department of Energy system by size and by annual budget. ORNL conducts research and development activities in a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. ORNL's scientific programs focus on materials, neutron science, energy, high-performance computing, systems biology and national security. ORNL partners with other national laboratories, universities and industry to solve complex problems and transfer knowledge and technology. ORNL is home to several of the world's most powerful supercomputers, including Summit, the world's most powerful supercomputer as of November 2018.
Learn more about Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

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