5.25 Robot Security & Linux Systems Administrator

Role: Robot Security & Linux Systems Administrator

Overview

This role combines deep Linux systems expertise with a focus on securing robotic platforms and their supporting infrastructure. The engineer will be responsible for hardening Ubuntu-based systems, securing robotic communications, enforcing encryption and privacy standards, and managing the lifecycle of critical Linux services used in autonomous and networked robots.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage and secure Ubuntu and Debian-based systems used in robotic and embedded environments.
• Maintain system uptime, kernel updates, and package management with strong focus on security and compliance.
• Lock down robotic OS images, enforce secure boot configurations, and manage patching for real-time kernels.
• Conduct system and network vulnerability assessments across robotic subsystems (firmware, middleware, and cloud integrations).
• Harden communication layers — DDS/ROS2, MQTT, BLE/Wi-Fi, and WebRTC — ensuring encryption, authentication, and message integrity.
• Audit and remediate weak cryptographic implementations (e.g., Blowfish ECB, LCG-based key generation) and enforce modern cryptography standards (AES-GCM, ECC, TLS 1.3).
• Protect telemetry and sensor data from unauthorized external connections and persistent unencrypted transmission.
• Oversee user access, SSH configurations, and credential management across Linux-based robotic endpoints and servers.
• Implement centralized monitoring, logging, and intrusion detection (CrowdStrike, OSSEC, Wazuh, or similar).
• Build and maintain automation scripts (Bash, Python, Ansible) for configuration management and compliance enforcement.
• Support DevOps and engineering teams with CI/CD security, container hardening, and secure deployment of robotic software.
• Maintain compliance documentation and baselines aligned with frameworks such as NIST 800-171, CMMC, and SOC 2.

Required Skills & Experience

• Expert in Ubuntu/Linux systems administration, including kernel tuning, network stack, and user management.
• Proven experience with robotic or IoT systems security, especially involving ROS2/DDS, MQTT, or embedded Linux.
• Strong background in applied cryptography, secure key management, and encryption at rest/in transit.
• Familiarity with real-time Linux (RT Preemption Patch) and resource-constrained environments.
• Hands-on experience with automation and infrastructure tools (Ansible, Terraform, or equivalent).
• Ability to analyze binaries, firmware, and system daemons for vulnerabilities.
• Scripting and debugging skills in Bash, Python, and Go.
• Experience with secure cloud integration for robotic telemetry and command services (AWS, Azure, or private clouds).

Preferred Background

• 5 years in Linux systems administration, cybersecurity, or robotics engineering.
• Experience mitigating vulnerabilities in robotic or autonomous systems, including hardware interfaces and telemetry layers.
• Prior work in regulated or high-assurance environments (defense, industrial automation, medical robotics).
• Certifications: LPIC, RHCE, CISSP, or GIAC (preferred but not required)

Salary: $115K to $140K/year