Linux Systems Administrator

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is seeking a Linux Systems Administrator to be part of developing and managing the scientific modeling infrastructure essential to SRNL’s mission of innovation and growth. The successful candidate will be a seasoned professional with extensive experience in Linux system administration who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will work on a team supporting institutional and programmatic customers across multiple laboratory locations, performing a wide variety of system administration activities for servers and workstations, including but not limited to the following responsibilities.

• Take an active role in architecting scalable and reliable Linux systems for HPC workloads, with a focus on performance optimization and long-term maintainability.
• Install, configure, and manage Linux servers and desktops across mixed environments, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration between various operating systems.
• Administer and optimize virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, KVM, Proxmox) to deploy virtual servers and desktop solutions that meet organizational requirements.
• Utilize deep understanding of system architecture, network protocols, and client/server principles to troubleshoot, innovate, and improve the infrastructure.
• Write scripts in Bash, Python, or other programming languages to automate recurring administrative tasks and ensure efficient operations
• Deploy, image, and centrally manage Linux systems using enterprise deployment tools (e.g., Foreman, Kickstart, MAAS) to enforce configuration standards and streamline provisioning.
• Configure, maintain, and optimize authentication systems like LDAP, Active Directory, and Kerberos to ensure security and reliability.
• Manage configuration management platforms such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef for centralized control over system configurations and automated updates.
• Lead projects, from initial planning through deployment, documentation, and user training, ensuring deliverables align with organizational objectives and best practices.
• Provide technical expertise  and architectural direction to solving complex software and hardware issues in a heterogeneous computing environment.
• Design and manage storage platforms (e.g., SAN, NAS, or object storage) and enterprise-class backup systems to meet redundancy, performance, and disaster recovery needs.
• Perform in-depth evaluations of new tools and methodologies, documenting findings and presenting recommendations for adoption and implementation.
• Communicate technical insights clearly and effectively while fostering positive relationships with users, team members, and other stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members, participate in collaborative troubleshooting, and implement automation and process refinement to improve team productivity.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience preferred
• 4+ years’ Linux experience, ideally with large-scale file system administration and support
• Must meet eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which mandates U.S. citizenship

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4+ years of Linux experience, ideally with large-scale file system administration and support
• Advanced vendor certification (RHCSA, RHCE, VMware, Storage)
• Familiarity with resource scheduling managers (Slurm, Moab, LSF, etc.)
• Experience with configuration management and automation tools (Ansible preferred)
• Experience with OS customization and security hardening using DISA STIG, CIS, etc.
• Proven track record with scripting in Python, bash, Perl, etc.
• Experience with containers (Docker, etc.)
• Extensive understanding of operating systems, computer networks, and scientific modeling applications
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and contribute to shared goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer relations, and problem management skills
• Experience with project and process planning
• Proven ability to document processes, procedures, and technical workflows thoroughly while mentoring team members and fostering knowledge-sharing practices.