> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/4019962-senior-linux-system-administrator](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/4019962-senior-linux-system-administrator). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Senior Linux System Administrator

- **Company:** Black Canyon Consulting LLC
- **Location:** Bethesda, MD, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Amazon Web Services, Bash Shell, Big Data, Unix, CentOS, CFEngines, Cloud Computing, Configuration Management, Computer Programming, Computer Networks, Linux, File Systems, Perl (Programming Language), Monitoring of Systems, Issue Tracking Systems, Python (Programming Language), Linux Kernel, Linux System Administration, OpenShift, Ansible, Ruby, System Programming, TCP/IP, Unix Commands, Web Applications, Scripting, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Grafana, Git, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Patch Management, Free and Open-Source Software, Hardware Infrastructure, Puppet, Software Version Control
- **Published:** October 30, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/senior-linux-system-administrator-bethesda-md--7c2a020a-96f5-49de-b88a-c65d5b359b14

## About the Role

Linux Administration, National Library, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Biotech and Pharmaceutical, Linux Administration, Consulting, Medicine, Big Data, Government, Public Health, * Willingness to learn new technologies and skills.

 * Demonstrate significant experience in Linux Systems Administration (7+ years).
 * Comfortable with Unix command line tools.
 * Highly versed in Linux administration and best practices.
 * Fluent in programming/scripting skills for automation in at least two of Bash, Ruby, Python, and Perl. (Other languages also helpful, but not required.)
 * General understanding of Linux internals (system calls, file systems, processes, etc).
 * General understanding of TCP/IP and related protocols (HTTP, FTP, NFS, etc…)
 * Comfortable working with users of varying levels of IT knowledge.
 * Experience with building open-source software from source code.
 * Able to work with minimum supervision on assigned tasks, and work with others both within and outside of the team.
 * Strong communication skills, especially with regards to documentation.

Bonus Points (not required!):

 * Experience in a complex, dynamic, production, public-facing Linux environment.
 * Experience with OpenShift, Kubernetes, GKE, or similar technologies.
 * Knowledge of cloud technology such as AWS and GCP.
 * Experience with automated configuration management, such as Puppet (preferred), Ansible, Chef, bcfg2, CFEngine, etc.
 * Experience with version control. (Git is preferred, but not required.)
 * Experience supporting large web application environments and development.
 * Experience with enterprise network architectures.
 * Experience with monitoring, alerting, and observability tools.

## Description

* Develop and document standard operating procedures for a wide range of tasks, such as systems provisioning, installation, upgrading, and migration; host and service monitoring; configuration management; problem troubleshooting; and other aspect of systems administration.
 * Manage and configure services, software, and hardware configurations.
 * Take direction from the team lead and work independently within a team-environment.
 * Mentor junior team members.
 * Learn new technologies and skills.
 * Develop and maintain custom tools in Python, Perl, Ruby, and Bash to automate managing the UNIX infrastructure.
 * Use Puppet to maintain thousands of physical and virtual Linux CentOS systems and associated applications.
 * Develop policies and procedures for standard systems administration tasks (packaging, OS installs, patch management).
 * Build open-source software from source code.
 * Document procedures, systems, services, and software. Provide ad-hoc training where appropriate.
 * Provide UNIX support to NCBI's internal developers and researchers.
 * Provide technical solutions to a wide range of problems and user requests through an established trouble ticketing system.
 * Troubleshoot, research, design, and implement solutions to complex systems problems while accounting for technical limits, overall cost, and security policies.
 * Assist with planning and implementation of major OS upgrade, deployments, and architectural changes.