Linux Engineer

Ensure that business continuity plans are tailored to meet regulatory requirements for safeguarding research data, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Design, develop, and implement comprehensive IT business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) strategies to ensure the protection of critical research systems, applications, and data.

Position: Linux Engineer
Employment Type: W2 Contract-to-Hire
Location: Atlanta, GA - Onsite
Only local candidates accepted for submission



Job Summary

The Research Information Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced research systems and solutions. This role involves engineering systems and automation, providing technical support, and ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and compliance of research systems and applications. This role collaborates with cross- functional teams to optimize research processes and support the organization's research objectives.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize systems and algorithms for data extraction, processing, and decision-making. Develop and implement intelligent automation, infrastructure as code, and CI/CD solutions to streamline research workflows. Conduct automation testing and validation to ensure accuracy and compatibility with existing systems. Serve as a resource and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for related engineering tools and technologies.
• Provide specialized technical support for complex research infrastructure systems and applications. Diagnose and resolve technical issues and performance bottlenecks. Offer guidance and training to end-users and technical support associates. Provide subject matter expertise and make other significant contributions to research projects.
• Design, develop, implement, and maintain infrastructure, applications, and systems to meet requirements and enable new capabilities. Configure, deploy, and troubleshoot systems, networks, and software to ensure reliable and efficient operations. Conduct system analysis, performance tuning, and optimization to enhance the performance and scalability of research infrastructure systems. Test and evaluate solutions, perform quality assurance checks, and ensure compliance with technical standards.
• Collaborate with researchers, process owners, and technical teams to identify technology needs and requirements. Define and prioritize product features, requirements, and user stories based on research needs and feedback. Participate in project planning, requirement gathering, and implementation of research infrastructure solutions. Communicate updates, changes, and plans to stakeholders and internal teams.
• Document system configurations, technical specifications, and implementation procedures. Maintain automation documentation and track changes to support governance. Manage change control processes to ensure systematic and controlled implementation of changes. Design, develop, and implement comprehensive IT business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) strategies to ensure the protection of critical research systems, applications, and data. Ensure that business continuity plans are tailored to meet regulatory requirements for safeguarding research data, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Ensure adherence to technical standards and best practices. Ensure continuous compliance with governance, security, and data privacy standards. Support system governance, compliance, and security measures to ensure system integrity and quality.
• Stay informed about the latest trends and technologies in research infrastructure and automation. Continuously monitor and optimize infrastructure performance through data analysis and improvement cycles. Drive innovation by integrating new technologies and methodologies into research processes.
• Conduct market research, customer interviews, and usability studies to gather insights and inform infrastructure decisions. Translate research requirements into actionable tasks, user stories, and acceptance criteria for development teams. Manage service backlogs, prioritize feature development, and ensure timely delivery of infrastructure increments. Conduct user acceptance testing, validate infrastructure functionality, and gather feedback for improvements.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to enhance technical skills and knowledge of coworkers and stakeholders. Offer user training, support, and assistance to help end-users navigate research infrastructure systems and applications.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and maintain Linux servers, with a focus on RHEL and Ubuntu distributions.
• Implement and manage security controls such as SELinux, FIPS mode, firewalls, and access policies.
• Harden Linux systems in line with STIG, NIST 800-171, and CMMC Level 2 compliance guidelines.
• Use Ansible, GitLab, and Infrastructure-as-Code practices to deploy, configure, and manage Linux systems in a repeatable, version-controlled manner.
• Perform core system administration tasks, including software installation, system updates, and configuration management.
• Ensure patching and updates are applied regularly in line with organizational policies and security best practices.
• Develop, test, and maintain backup and recovery solutions to ensure business continuity.
• Support IT teams and end users with troubleshooting and resolution of complex operating system issues in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with software development and cybersecurity teams to configure and secure high-availability environments.
• Document system configurations, technical specifications, and implementation procedures.
• Manage change control processes to ensure systematic and controlled implementation of changes.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior system administrators.
• Work toward improving operational processes as new technologies and challenges emerge.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Experience managing and supporting Linux environments for an organization.
• Associate's Degree in related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two or more years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four or more years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience supporting RHEL and Ubuntu systems with secure protocols like FIPS, and SELinux.
• Demonstrated experience hardening Linux systems to STIG, NIST 800-171, and CMMC Level 2 standards.
• Hands-on experience using Ansible, GitLab, and Infrastructure-as-Code tooling to manage Linux systems.
• Strong background in system administration, patch management, and backup/recovery.
• Experience mentoring junior administrators.
• Strong general IT foundation, including networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP), troubleshooting methodology, and familiarity with ITIL-based practices such as incident, problem, and change management.
• Relevant industry certifications are a plus (e.g., CompTIA Linux+, Red Hat RHCSA/RHCE, Security+).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across teams.
• Windows and MacOS support experience.