Freelance Linux System Engineer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

US Citizenship is required

An active TS/SCI with FS Polygraph is required

DoD 8570 IAT2 certificate required, i.e. CompTIA Security+

Senior Linux Systems Engineer / Linux SME

DPG is seeking a Senior Linux Systems Engineer / Linux SME to support a mission critical customer in a classified environment. This role is best suited for someone who has spent real time supporting operational mission systems, understands the realities of secure infrastructure, and can operate independently as a senior technical resource.

The ideal candidate is not just a platform engineer or DevSecOps generalist. We are looking for a hands on Linux expert with deep Red Hat experience, strong troubleshooting ability, and the maturity to support systems that directly impact mission operations. This person will help sustain, modernize, and improve a system that is tightly coupled to its underlying infrastructure, while supporting automation, security, availability, and long term operational reliability.

Responsibilities

• Support the administration, sustainment, troubleshooting, and modernization of mission critical Linux based systems in a classified environment.
• Serve as a senior Linux technical resource for Red Hat based infrastructure, including system configuration, patching, performance tuning, user management, networking, security hardening, and operational troubleshooting.
• Support a system that is tightly integrated with the underlying infrastructure, requiring a strong understanding of how Linux, storage, virtualization, networking, applications, and mission services interact.
• Assist with architecture, design, integration, testing, and deployment activities across on premises and cloud adjacent environments.
• Support build, integration, test, and deployment pipelines where appropriate, with a focus on reliability, repeatability, security, and operational stability.
• Leverage automation and configuration management tools to improve consistency, reduce manual effort, accelerate recovery, and strengthen system reliability.
• Troubleshoot complex Linux, application, infrastructure, storage, and network related issues across production and non production environments.
• Collaborate with software engineers, DevOps teams, data teams, security personnel, and mission stakeholders to implement reliable technical solutions.
• Integrate security and compliance requirements into Linux systems and platform services, including access management, encryption, patching, auditing, and system hardening.
• Provide operational support for mission platforms, including planned maintenance, incident response, break fix support, and occasional after hours support.
• Support hardware installation, system deployment, lab activities, and physical infrastructure tasks as needed.

Required Skills

• 10 or more years of experience directly related to Linux system administration, infrastructure support, and mission system operations.
• Deep hands on experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems with minimal oversight.
• Strong experience with RHEL 7 and newer, with RHEL 8 or newer preferred.
• Experience with kickstart, patching, Satellite Server, RPM package creation, system performance tuning, networking, user administration, logging, and security configuration.
• Strong Linux troubleshooting skills across operating system, application, storage, virtualization, and network layers.
• Experience supporting systems in classified, secure, or mission critical environments.
• Experience with scripting and automation, especially Bash and Python.
• Experience using automation and configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, or similar frameworks.
• Experience with VMware environments, including ESXi and vCenter.
• Experience with AWS or cloud adjacent environments is preferred but not required.
• Hands on experience with developer and DevOps tools such as Git, Artifactory, Bitbucket, CI/CD tools, and Jira.
• Experience with Rancher or Kubernetes based platforms is strongly preferred.
• NAS and SAN administration experience.
• Experience working within Agile or Scrum based delivery environments.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds in support of hardware installation and infrastructure work.
• Strong analytical, research, and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize issues, and resolve problems in high visibility environments.
• Ability to support occasional after hours maintenance.
• Ability to provide rotational pager or on call support.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active TS/SCI clearance with FS Poly.
• Must have an active CompTIA Security+ or CISSP certification.

Desired Skills

• Experience developing, testing, supporting, or delivering applications within a DevSecOps framework.
• Experience with scripting or programming languages such as Python, Bash, Perl, Ruby, Java, or C++.
• Experience with containerization, Kubernetes, Rancher, or similar platform technologies.
• Experience installing, configuring, or managing Fibre Channel switches.
• Experience supporting mission applications where uptime, security, and operational reliability are critical.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and troubleshoot problems efficiently.
• Ability to coordinate technical issues across internal teams, external organizations, vendors, and customer stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly and professionally.
  

Overview of Benefits:

• Company Funded 401k Profit Sharing Plan - 25% of base pay deposited every pay period - Vested day one of employment
• All Health Care Benefits and Premiums paid by company and with company HSA contribution
• Quarterly Equity Share Bonuses
• 250 hours of PTO with up to 40 hours available to be carried over
• Biannual Company Sponsored Events for the employees and their families
• Education Benefits - Cert reimbursement and tuition reimbursement