Linux Systems Administrator

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

2d

About The Position

The Strategic Missile Defense Program Area (AH1) is seeking a motivated and experienced Linux Systems Administrator for the Homeland Defense Mission Area Classified Information Systems Section. The role works collaboratively with section staff, the Section Supervisor, Green Team Project Manager, Program Managers, and Assistant Program Managers to design, implement, administer, optimize, and secure Linux computing environments supporting the highly classified program portfolio managed by the Air and Missile Defense Sector Green Team.

The administrator supports laboratory, development, and mission-critical systems across legacy and modern platforms, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu. The role includes Linux infrastructure design and deployment, security and compliance, troubleshooting, application support, Linux–Windows integration, automation, technical documentation, and advising and mentoring project teams and staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field and three years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and one year of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. with no additional experience; or five years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Professional experience administering Linux systems in secure, laboratory, development, or similarly complex environments.
• Proficiency with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, or similar enterprise Linux distributions.
• Experience installing, configuring, securing, patching, and troubleshooting Linux servers, workstations, and applications.
• Understanding of Linux user and group administration, permissions, services, logging, auditing, package management, and access controls.
• Experience with shell scripting, Python, or another programming or scripting language.
• Understanding of interoperability between Linux and Windows systems.
• Strong written, verbal, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Active Interim Secret level security clearance and ability to ultimately obtain a TS level clearance; eligibility for classified access requires U.S. citizenship and a government security clearance investigation.
• Current DoD 8570/8140-aligned certification, such as Security+, CASP+, or CISSP, or ability to obtain the required certification within six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Active DoD Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• Experience administering Linux systems in classified environments.
• Experience implementing STIGs and supporting RMF, NIST, vulnerability-scanning, or compliance activities.
• Experience with VMware or another virtualization platform.
• Experience managing patch repositories, endpoint security tools, or backup and restoration solutions.
• Experience supporting secure software-development, build, testing, and deployment environments.
• Experience supporting GitLab, MATLAB, engineering applications, or simulation environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, configure, and optimize complex Linux computing environments and infrastructure for laboratory, development, and mission-critical systems.
• Evaluate technical requirements and develop Linux solutions that balance security, performance, reliability, scalability, compatibility, and operational needs.
• Lead Linux deployments, upgrades, migrations, patching, modernization, and infrastructure improvement efforts across legacy and modern platforms, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu.
• Analyze and resolve operating system, network, application, performance, hardware, kernel, driver, and software compatibility issues, including managing custom RPMs and specialized configurations.
• Implement and oversee system-hardening standards, security controls, vulnerability management, and remediation in accordance with STIG, RMF, NIST, and other applicable security and compliance requirements.
• Evaluate technical and cybersecurity risks and recommend mitigation strategies while maintaining system availability and supporting mission requirements.
• Install, configure, integrate, and maintain engineering, scientific, and development applications, including GitLab and MATLAB, in secure and classified environments.
• Integrate Linux and Windows platforms to support hybrid engineering, development, and simulation workflows.
• Develop scripting and automation solutions, technical standards, and operational improvements to increase administration efficiency, consistency, security, and reliability.
• Lead root-cause analysis and recommend long-term corrective actions for recurring issues.
• Serve as a technical resource and advisor to project teams, engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and leadership.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, standards, procedures, and implementation guidance.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend enhancements to improve organizational capabilities.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced staff.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program
• Unparalleled retirement contributions
• Healthy work/life balance
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Flexible spending accounts
• Education assistance
• Training and development
• Potential sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary performance payments

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level