Linux System Administrator

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Linux Systems Administrator to join our clients IT team. This role is essential for managing the organisation’s Linux-based systems, ensuring optimal performance, security, and uptime. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of Linux systems, troubleshooting skills, and the ability to support complex environments.

This particular role can be fully remote on an Ad hoc basis. Averaging 10-15 hours per month.

Key Responsibilities:

• Install, configure, and maintain Linux servers and systems (including both physical and virtual environments).
• Monitor server performance and resource usage, and respond to alerts to ensure optimal system uptime.
• Implement and maintain security policies, including firewall configuration, access controls, patch management, and vulnerability scanning.
• Perform regular system backups, manage disaster recovery, and ensure reliable and consistent data recovery processes.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for Linux-based systems, addressing issues such as hardware failures, system crashes, and application performance problems.
• Develop and implement scripts using shell scripting or automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, or Chef) to streamline administrative tasks.
• Apply system updates and patches as necessary to ensure systems remain secure and up-to-date.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and groups to ensure proper access control and security on the Linux servers.
• Optimize system performance by managing system resources and performing capacity planning.
• Maintain detailed documentation for system configurations, processes, and procedures.
• Work with other IT teams (e.g., Network Admins, DevOps, Database Administrators) to support application and infrastructure needs.
• Ensure regular backups are performed and the ability to restore from backup in case of failures.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Linux Systems Administrator or in a similar role.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat, Debian, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of shell scripting (Bash, Perl, Python, etc.).
• Experience with Linux networking, firewalls, and network protocols (e.g., SSH, DNS, HTTP).
• Familiarity with system monitoring and performance tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, top, netstat).
• Experience in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Linux-based software and applications.
• Knowledge of Linux security best practices, access control mechanisms, and hardening techniques.
• Experience with virtualization technologies like VMware, KVM, or containerization tools such as Docker or Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with backup solutions (e.g., rsync, Bacula, or other enterprise tools).
• Experience with version control systems like Git.
• (Optional but desirable): Knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• (Optional): Familiarity with configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, or Chef) and CI/CD pipelines.

Soft Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Familiarity with DevOps tools and processes.
• Experience with container orchestration tools like Kubernetes.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Certifications such as Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC-1), or CompTIA Linux+ are a plus.

If this role sounds like the right one for you, please reach out via LinkedIn today!