Senior Linux System Administrator

Our client is seeking a Senior Linux Engineer for a contract-to-hire role at their Houston, TX office.

Overview

We are looking for a seasoned technical leader to guide the design and administration of large-scale Linux-based environments. This position blends architectural planning with hands-on engineering, supporting a mission-critical server footprint and ensuring the stability, scalability, and security of core platforms. The ideal candidate has extensive Linux/Unix experience, strong cloud knowledge, and a track record of successfully delivering infrastructure projects in demanding operational settings.

Primary Responsibilities

Infrastructure Engineering & Design

• Develop end-to-end infrastructure solutions for enterprise workloads using Linux/Unix technologies.
• Create long-term roadmaps supporting modernization, cloud adoption, platform upgrades, and hybrid integrations.
• Ensure system designs meet high requirements for resiliency, security, compliance, and performance.

Platform Engineering & Operations

• Oversee day-to-day oversight, upkeep, and optimization of a large fleet of Linux servers.
• Troubleshoot complex issues affecting availability, performance, or capacity in fast-paced operational environments.
• Build automation frameworks for provisioning, patching, deployment, and configuration using tools such as Terraform and Ansible.

Technical Program & Project Leadership

• Lead infrastructure initiatives from planning through execution, managing schedules, risks, resources, and communications.
• Coordinate across engineering, operations, and business teams to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Deliver project outcomes that meet scope, timelines, and operational needs.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide mentorship and guidance to Linux administrators and engineers.
• Encourage a high-performing culture dedicated to reliability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Support incident management activities with expert-level troubleshooting and decision-making.

Cloud & Hybrid Environments

• Implement and support cloud solutions using major providers, including Oracle Cloud and other hyperscale environments.
• Evaluate cloud capabilities and recommend optimal placements for workloads based on cost, performance, and security needs.
• Design connectivity and hybrid cloud strategies that integrate on-prem and cloud resources seamlessly.

Security & Governance

• Ensure platforms adhere to security best practices, including hardening, privileged access management, and compliance controls.
• Work with internal teams to maintain audit readiness and meet regulatory, industry, and corporate standards.

Required Background

• Degree in a technology-related discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• 10 years working with Linux/Unix systems in both engineering and architectural capacities.
• Experience supporting environments with hundreds of servers or similarly large deployments.
• Hands-on experience with Oracle Cloud and familiarity with AWS or Azure.
• Proficiency in automation, scripting, and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible, Python, Shell/Bash).
• Strong understanding of networking, virtualization, storage, and high-availability architectures.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and supporting high-stakes, always-on environments.

Preferred Background

• Relevant cloud certifications (OCI, AWS, Azure).
• Experience with container platforms such as Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of clustering, disaster recovery strategies, and performance tuning.
• Project management credentials (e.g., PMP or similar).
• Strong communication skills and comfort engaging with stakeholders at all levels.