Linux Systems & DevOps Engineer

Nationwide IT Services•Fairfax, VA

7d•$100,000 - $140,000•Remote

About The Position

Nationwide IT Services (NIS) is seeking a hands-on Linux Systems & DevOps Engineer to support the infrastructure and software operations for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system. This is a remote opportunity for candidates residing in the United States. The role involves extensive Linux systems administration and Ansible Automation, with responsibilities spanning networking, monitoring, security, scripting, databases, and software operations within an environment that supports real-time seismic monitoring and data processing across distributed systems. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical fundamentals and an understanding of how IT environments function collaboratively. While deep specialization in every technology is not required, a well-rounded engineer with strong Linux and Ansible skills who can adapt and learn is highly valued.

Requirements

Hands-on Linux systems administration experience in production or operational environments.
Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Rocky Linux, or comparable enterprise Linux systems.
Hands-on experience using Ansible to configure and automate Linux systems.
Ability to install, configure, patch, secure, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux servers and services.
Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewall rules, routing, and network connectivity.
Working knowledge of TCP/IP, subnetting, DNS, ports and protocols, routing, switching, LAN/WAN concepts, and firewalls.
Basic scripting and automation experience using Bash, Python, Ruby, or another scripting/programming language.
Ability to read and understand existing scripts or application code sufficiently to support troubleshooting and operational activities.
Experience using monitoring and logging information to understand system health, investigate problems, and determine when additional monitoring is needed.
Practical database experience, including connecting to relational databases, understanding and using SQL queries, and performing basic database configuration and operational troubleshooting.
Familiarity with database synchronization/replication concepts and the ability to recognize and investigate basic database-related issues.
Working knowledge of Linux security and hardening, including patching, permissions/access controls, host firewalls, vulnerability remediation, and secure system configuration.
Ability to troubleshoot technical issues across systems, networks, software, and supporting infrastructure.
Familiarity with source control such as Git.
Ability to document technical work and communicate effectively with team members across multiple technical disciplines.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Must reside and perform work within the United States.
Must be able to complete Government Public Trust suitability requirements and obtain and maintain required Government credentials, including a PIV card.

Nice To Haves

AWS infrastructure and services.
AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) and infrastructure-as-code.
Go (Golang), particularly in conjunction with AWS/CDK or infrastructure tooling.
Nagios/Icinga, including creating or modifying monitoring checks.
Prometheus and Grafana or comparable monitoring platforms.
ActiveMQ, NATS, or other message brokers and publish/subscribe technologies.
PostgreSQL and additional relational database administration experience.
C or C++ and familiarity with systems-level programming concepts.
Additional Python, Bash, or other scripting/programming experience.
Cisco ASA or comparable firewall administration.
SELinux and Linux host firewall configuration.
Experience supporting Federal Assessment and Authorization (A&A), security assessments, compliance reviews, or audits, including gathering technical evidence and remediating resulting findings.
NIST security controls, DISA STIGs, vulnerability-management processes, or experience supporting Federal or other regulated environments.
CI/CD pipelines, GitLab, RPM packaging, and software deployment processes.
Virtualization and virtual-machine administration.
Experience supporting distributed, highly available, real-time, telemetry, scientific, or data-acquisition environments.

Responsibilities

Install, configure, administer, patch, secure, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux systems supporting mission-critical scientific operations.
Use Ansible to configure systems, automate routine administration, maintain standardized configurations, and support infrastructure operations.
Configure and troubleshoot switches, routers, firewalls, firewall rules, routing, network connectivity, and related infrastructure.
Support LAN/WAN and telemetry-connected systems used to deliver real-time monitoring data to processing environments.
Monitor servers, services, processes, network connectivity, resource utilization, and other operational health indicators; investigate alerts and create or modify monitoring checks as needed.
Develop and maintain basic scripts and automation to support administration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and routine operations.
Install, configure, operate, and maintain software packages and supporting services.
Work with relational databases, including installation/configuration, connectivity, synchronization, basic administration, SQL queries, and operational troubleshooting.
Support Linux security and hardening activities, including patching, access controls, host firewalls, vulnerability remediation, and compliance-related changes.
Support security assessments and Assessment and Authorization (A&A) activities by providing technical information and evidence and remediating system findings as needed.
Use Git/GitLab and support software deployment, configuration, and operational workflows.
Support messaging and publish/subscribe infrastructure used by applications and distributed systems.
Document system, software, network, and configuration changes and maintain operational documentation.
Collaborate with USGS personnel, university partners, developers, network engineers, scientists, and other technical staff to maintain and improve system reliability.