[Remote] Senior Linux Systems Engineer – Infrastructure & Operations

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Nationwide IT Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Linux Systems Engineer to support mission-critical scientific systems and infrastructure for the U.S. Geological Survey. The role focuses on Linux administration, cross-system troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, security, monitoring, databases, messaging, automation, and operational support in a government environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer, maintain, troubleshoot, and support Linux-based production, development, test, and supporting infrastructure
• Investigate system and application problems through logs, configuration, monitoring data, network behavior, application code, database activity, and other available evidence
• Perform root-cause analysis of technical issues and drive problems toward resolution
• Determine when an issue can be resolved directly and when it should be escalated or routed to software developers, network engineers, security personnel, or other technical specialists
• Perform Linux system maintenance, patching, configuration, software installation, service management, performance troubleshooting, and operational support
• Support system security and hardening activities, including vulnerability remediation, access controls, host firewalls, security configuration, and compliance-related changes
• Use and maintain automation and configuration-management capabilities supporting the environment
• Work with monitoring systems to understand system health, investigate alerts, determine what should be monitored, and create or modify monitoring checks as needed
• Support relational databases at an operational level, including installation and configuration, connectivity, access, basic SQL queries, and troubleshooting
• Support messaging and event-driven infrastructure used to move information between systems and applications
• Read application and automation code as part of troubleshooting. Trace program logic, identify relevant functions or processes, test components where appropriate, and communicate findings to developers
• Develop or modify scripts and lightweight automation to support administration, troubleshooting, monitoring, and operational activities
• Troubleshoot connectivity and system communication issues using a practical understanding of networking fundamentals
• Work with technical staff across systems, software development, networking, security, and scientific operations to resolve issues that cross traditional technology boundaries
• Document technical findings, configurations, troubleshooting steps, and operational procedures

Skills

• Strong hands-on Linux systems administration experience, preferably in enterprise or production environments
• Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot complex technical problems and perform root-cause analysis
• Strong understanding of Linux services, processes, logs, filesystems, permissions, packages, configuration, and general system operations
• Experience performing system maintenance, patching, configuration, troubleshooting, and operational support
• Experience using monitoring and logging information to investigate system or application behavior
• Hands-on scripting or automation experience
• Ability to read and follow application or automation code sufficiently to support troubleshooting, identify relevant logic, and communicate effectively with software developers
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, ports and protocols, routing concepts, firewalls, and connectivity troubleshooting
• Practical familiarity with relational databases, including database installation/configuration, connectivity, basic administration, and SQL queries
• Familiarity with system security concepts such as patching, access controls, host firewalls, vulnerability remediation, and secure system configuration
• Ability and willingness to investigate unfamiliar technologies rather than stopping troubleshooting when an issue crosses into another technical domain
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly and work collaboratively with specialists in other technical areas
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Must be able to complete Government Public Trust suitability requirements and obtain and maintain required Government credentials, including a PIV card
• We will also consider candidates with less traditional experience who can demonstrate equivalent technical depth, strong troubleshooting ability, and the ability to work independently in complex technical environments
• Must reside and perform work within the United States
• Must be able to maintain a work schedule beginning between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, regardless of U.S. location
• Approximately 5 or more years of relevant hands-on experience is preferred in Linux systems administration, infrastructure operations, systems engineering, production support, technical operations, or a related technical role
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Rocky Linux, or similar enterprise Linux distributions
• Python, Bash, or other scripting/programming languages
• PostgreSQL administration and troubleshooting
• Ansible or comparable configuration-management and automation technologies
• Nagios, including creating or modifying monitoring checks or plugins
• Prometheus and Grafana or comparable metrics and visualization platforms
• NATS or ActiveMQ
• Other message brokers or event/messaging platforms such as RabbitMQ, Kafka, or similar technologies
• SELinux and Linux host firewall configuration
• DISA STIGs, FISMA, vulnerability remediation, or experience operating systems within Federal or other regulated environments
• AWS or other cloud infrastructure
• CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment processes
• Git/GitLab and source-control-based operational workflows
• Experience supporting distributed systems where applications, databases, messaging, networks, and infrastructure interact
• Additional networking experience beyond basic systems-administration networking knowledge

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Paid holidays
• PTO (sick/vacation)
• Commuter benefits
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Educational reimbursement
• Pet Insurance

Company Overview