Junior Linux System Administrator

Sierra Experts is seeking a motivated Junior Linux System Administrator to help support, maintain, and improve our internal infrastructure—primarily Ubuntu 24.04 LTS servers in virtualized environments. This is an excellent entry-level or early-career opportunity for someone passionate about Linux who wants to grow into a full sysadmin/DevOps role.

You’ll work closely with experienced team members to monitor systems, handle routine tasks, troubleshoot issues, and contribute to automation and reliability improvements. We value eagerness to learn, strong problem-solving, and a proactive attitude over extensive prior experience.

Responsibilities:

The job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following (in no special order):

• Assist in monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Ubuntu 24.04 LTS servers to ensure reliability and performance for internal use
• Perform routine system tasks such as patching/updates, user account management, backups, and log reviews
• Help install, configure, and support common internal services (e.g., Nginx, Apache, PostgreSQL/MariaDB, file shares, basic DNS)
• Support basic networking and security tasks (firewall rules with nftables/iptables, basic access controls, security patching)
• Participate in container basics (Docker/Podman) under guidance, including running and monitoring containers
• Contribute to simple automation scripts (Bash or Python) and configuration management (Ansible preferred) with supervision
• Assist with monitoring tools (e.g., setting up alerts in Prometheus/Grafana or similar) and reporting
• Document procedures, configurations, and issue resolutions to build team knowledge
• Participate in on-call rotation (with senior support) and help resolve incidents
• Learn and apply best practices for Ubuntu Server, virtualization, and internal infrastructure
• Other support duties as assigned to keep internal systems running smoothly

Qualifications:

• Basic to intermediate hands-on experience with Linux (Ubuntu/Debian preferred; can come from personal projects, homelab, internships, help desk, or entry-level IT roles)
• Familiarity with Ubuntu Server fundamentals (command line, package management with apt, file permissions, processes/services via systemd)
• Comfort with Linux scripting basics (Bash required; Python a plus)
• Understanding of core services (web servers like Nginx/Apache, databases like PostgreSQL/MySQL, SSH, basic networking)
• Willingness to learn configuration management (Ansible strongly preferred) and containers (Docker/Podman)
• Basic knowledge of virtualization (e.g., VirtualBox, KVM, or cloud VMs) and networking concepts (TCP/IP, firewalls)
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and eagerness to learn new tools/technologies
• Excellent communication and teamwork— you’ll collaborate daily with the team
• US citizenship required
• Capability to obtain US security clearance (if needed for certain projects)
• Local candidates in/near Pittsburgh area only (hybrid flexibility possible after onboarding)

Preferred Skills (not required):

• CompTIA Linux , RHCSA, or similar certification (or working toward one)
• Experience with monitoring/alerting tools (Prometheus, Grafana, Zabbix)
• Exposure to Ansible, Git, or basic infrastructure-as-code concepts
• Any prior help desk, IT support, or junior sysadmin experience
• Homelab or personal projects running Ubuntu 24.04 (mention these in your application!)

Education:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field (or equivalent self-taught experience/projects)
• Recent graduates or those with relevant certifications encouraged to apply

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications

• Lucrative commission/bonus structure based on performance

• Health, Vision and Dental Benefits

• PTO, paid holidays

• Excellent opportunity for advancement

Please submit your resume with full work/education history (include any Linux-related projects, homelabs, or certifications). In your cover letter, tell us why you’re excited about Linux/Ubuntu and what you’ve built or troubleshot on your own.