Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu Jobs in Washington

Responsibilities & Qualifications RESPONSIBILITIES The Linux OS Engineer is expected to be able to accomplish the following: * Platform Engineering & Operations * Engineer, deploy, and administer RHEL/CentOS/Rocky and Ubuntu servers (physical and virtual) across dev/test/prod. * Implement standard OS baselines, golden images, and immutable patterns (e.g., image pipelines, templates, kickstart/preseed, cloud-init). * Manage patching and kernel updates with maintenance windows and rollback plans; validate health post-change. * Configuration Management & Automation * Build and maintain automation using Ansible, Bash, and Python to enforce configuration drift control and speed delivery. * Integrate configuration policies with CI/CD workflows and version control; write idempotent playbooks/roles. * Security & Compliance * Apply and maintain DoD STIG/hardening controls; remediate findings from vulnerability scans; maintain audit artifacts. * Implement/validate FIPS, SELinux, disk encryption, log forwarding, and secure remote access; support ATO evidence. * Reliability, Monitoring & Performance * Design and operate logging/metrics/alerting (e.g., journald/rsyslog, auditd, Prometheus/Grafana/ELK) with actionable SLOs. * Troubleshoot OS, storage, and network performance (I/O, CPU, memory, TCP/IP) using system profiling tools. * High Availability & Continuity * Support clustering and HA patterns (Pacemaker/Corosync, systemd units, load balancers); document and test DR/backup restore. * Collaboration & Support * Provide Tier 3 escalation; create runbooks/SOPs; participate in on-call rotations as needed. * Partner closely with cybersecurity, network, storage, virtualization, and application owners to deliver end-to-end outcomes. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Active TS/SCI + CI Poly clearance * 5-7 years of professional experience administering Linux in enterprise or government environments (or equivalent combination of education/experience suitable for mid level ). * One of the following DoD 8570/ CS-NET-451 c ertifications: * Security+ (CE) * RHCSA/RHCE * CKA * ITIL® Foundation * Strong proficiency with RHEL-family and Debian/Ubuntu administration, system services, and package managers ( dnf /yum/apt). * Hands-on with Ansible and scripting (Bash, Python) for automation and compliance. * Demonstrated experience applying STIG/hardening and working within secure change-controlled environments. * Solid troubleshooting across compute , network , and storage layers; familiarity with virtualization (VMware/KVM) and ticketing/ITSM workflows. * Ability to create and maintain SOPs, runbooks, and architecture diagrams supporting audits and operations. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Experience with RHEL Satellite/Foreman, Kickstart, IdM /FreeIPA/AD integration, and secrets management (e.g., HashiCorp Vault). * Exposure to container runtimes ( Podman /Docker), Kubernetes (RKE/AKS/ Openshift ), and hardened container images. * Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform), cloud (AWS/Azure/Gov zones), and registry/artifact management. * Monitoring stacks (Prometheus/Grafana, ELK/OpenSearch) and SIEM integrations. * SSCP * CySA + * GSEC * CASP+ * CISSP * Red Hat Ansible Automation certification * Terraform Associate ) * Kubernetes certification Overview We are seeking a Linux OS Engineer to join our Task Order to build, harden, and sustain mission-critical Linux platforms in a highly secure enterprise on the Defense Intelligence Agency's Solutions for the Information Technology Enterprise III (SITE III). The Linux OS Engineer will own the lifecycle of RHEL- and Debian-based systems-from image engineering and STIG compliance to configuration management, patch orchestration, performance tuning, and incident response. You'll collaborate across cybersecurity, network, storage, and application teams to deliver resilient, auditable infrastructure that meets program SLAs and security directives. TekSynap is a fast-growing high-tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well planned information management environment. "Technology moving at the speed of thought" embodies these principles - the need to nimbly utilize the best that information technology offers to meet the business needs of our Federal Government customers. We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans, vacation time and holidays. Visit us a t www.TekSynap.com . Apply now to explore jobs with us! The safety and health of our employees is of the utmost importance. Employees are required to comply with any vaccination requirements mandated by contract, applicable law or regulation. By applying to a role at TekSynap you are providing consent to receive text messages regarding your interview and employment status. If at any time you would like to opt out of text messaging, respond "STOP". As part of the application process, you agree that TekSynap Corporation may retain and use your name, e-mail, and contact information for purposes related to employment consideration. Additional Job Information WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Location: Annapolis Junction, MD * Type of environment: Varies * Noise level: Low * Work schedule: Non-standard shift * Amount of Travel: 20% 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to grip, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds; and up to 50 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE * U.S. Citizenship * Active TS/SCI + CI Poly clearance OTHER INFORMATION Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. TekSynap is a drug-free workplace. We reserve the right to conduct drug testing in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. All employees and candidates may be subject to drug screening if deemed necessary to ensure a safe and compliant working environment. Many positions require specific certifications and/or the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. Applicants who accept an offer of employment may be subject to investigations performed by TekSynap and/or the Government to verify the candidate meets the required qualifications and other eligibility requirements. WAGE INFORMATION Target salary range: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00. The salary range displayed is an estimate only and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, and will be determined on several factors regarding the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies and experience, as well as contract parameters and organizational requirements. The displayed salary is one component of the total compensation package for employees. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. TekSynap does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment. TekSynap is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an application, please contact for assistance.