Unix Systems Administrator

Summary: This position is a customer-focused Unix / Linux Systems Administrator to support engineering and business users while maintaining reliable, secure Linux infrastructure. This role combines hands-on end-user support with Linux systems administration, virtualization, storage, and infrastructure services. The ideal candidate enjoys working directly with users, solving technical problems, and improving the overall support experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned):

• Provide responsive technical support for engineering and business users across Linux and Windows Engineering Test workstations, applications, authentication, network connectivity, file services, and software licensing.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, operating system, remote access, performance, and connectivity issues; communicate progress and solutions clearly to users.
• Respond to incidents and service requests in a timely, professional, and customer-focused manner, coordinating with other IT staff, engineering teams, and vendors when needed.
• Identify recurring support issues and recommend practical improvements that increase user productivity and service reliability.
• Create and maintain user guides, knowledge base articles, support procedures, and clear technical documentation.
• Manage user accounts, groups, permissions, centralized authentication, and access controls.
• Monitor system health, availability, capacity, logs, and performance; address issues before they affect users and business operations.
• Support NFS, NAS, enterprise file systems, backup, restore, disaster recovery, high availability, and business continuity processes.
• Automate recurring administration, monitoring, and maintenance tasks using Shell scripting and Python.
• Participate in incident response, root-cause analysis, maintenance windows, upgrades, migrations, and infrastructure projects.
• Work with vendors and internal teams to improve system reliability, security, supportability, and operational efficiency.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's or associate degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.

• 4+ years of hands-on experience supporting and administering Linux systems in an enterprise environment.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Operating systems: Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu Linux, and related Linux distributions.
• Identity and authentication: NIS, Red Hat Identity Management, LDAP, Kerberos, centralized access control, and certificate services.
• License management: FlexNet Publisher/FlexLM and similar engineering software license server technologies.
• Virtualization and infrastructure: VMware vSphere, KVM, enterprise server hardware, and virtual server environments.
• Scripting and automation: Shell scripting and Python.
• Networking and services: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, NTP, SSH, SFTP, VPN, XDMCP, X Window System, and Linux firewall services.
• Storage and continuity: NFS, NAS, NetApp ONTAP, enterprise file systems, backup, recovery, disaster recovery, and business continuity.
• Security and operations: Linux hardening, SELinux, vulnerability remediation, centralized logging, monitoring, alerting, performance tuning, and change management.
• Containers: working knowledge of Docker is preferred but not required.

Computer Skills:

• Knowledge of Windows Operating Systems 
• Experience with MS Outlook and MS Office

Qualifications:

• Experience providing direct technical support to end users, preferably in an engineering, laboratory, manufacturing, or similar technical environment. This role requires on-site presence during standard business hours.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, problem-solving, customer service, and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple requests, work independently, collaborate effectively, and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Experience with VMware vSphere, KVM, NFS, NAS, NetApp ONTAP, enterprise backup, and recovery technologies.
• Experience with Shell scripting and Python automation.
• Relevant certification such as RHCSA, RHCE, Linux Foundation, VMware, or equivalent.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May require some lifting of computer parts and/or equipment.
• Must be able to lift or move 5-20 lbs. occasionally.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work on site in lab, test floor, and office.
• May need to perform duties in an ESD controlled environment and in clean rooms.