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Linux Networking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nightwing

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Network namespaces * VRFs * NAT and firewall policies Analyze and troubleshoot network traffic using: * tcpdump * Wireshark * iproute2 * nftables * iptables Linux Kernel Tuning & Performance ...

Nwis

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Network namespaces * VRFs * NAT and firewall policies Analyze and troubleshoot network traffic using: * tcpdump * Wireshark * iproute2 * nftables * iptables Linux Kernel Tuning & Performance ...

Oracle

Senior Software Developer - Linux Networking

Austin, TX · On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

... Networking as a Senior Software Engineer in the Card Management team and help deliver a highly available, and secure fleet of critical SDN infrastructure; become an expert in embedded Linux and build ...

US Tech Solutions

Linux Engineer

Jersey City, NJ

Extensive Redhat Linux networking knowledge including but not limited to VLANs, bonding, link aggregation. Install, configure, patch and automate Redhat Linux server builds using kickstart/puppet ...

Oracle

Senior Software Developer - Linux Networking

Austin, TX · On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

... Networking as a Senior Software Engineer in the Card Management team and help deliver a highly available, and secure fleet of critical SDN infrastructure; become an expert in embedded Linux and build ...

Leidos

Linux System Administrator

Huntsville, AL

$73K - $132K/yr

Mastery of Linux, networking, and Windows is critical for success in our diverse technological environment. Furthermore, effective communication with stakeholders and collaboration with cross-sector ...

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Linux Networking information

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How much do linux networking jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for linux networking in the United States is $51.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.67 and $57.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Linux Networking vs Network Administrator?

AspectLinux NetworkingNetwork Administrator
Required CertificationsLinux certifications (e.g., LPIC, RHCE), networking certifications (e.g., Cisco CCNA)Network+, CCNA, CompTIA certifications
Work EnvironmentPrimarily Linux servers, command-line interface, scriptingNetwork hardware, monitoring tools, enterprise networks
Job FocusConfiguring, managing Linux network services, troubleshooting network issues on Linux systemsDesigning, implementing, maintaining overall network infrastructure
Industry UsageData centers, hosting providers, enterprise Linux environmentsCorporate offices, ISPs, large organizations

Linux Networking specialists focus on configuring and troubleshooting network services within Linux environments, often requiring Linux-specific certifications. Network Administrators oversee entire network infrastructure, including hardware and security, across various platforms. While both roles involve networking skills, Linux Networking is more specialized in Linux systems, whereas Network Administrators handle broader network management tasks.

What is Linux networking?

Linux networking refers to the set of tools, protocols, and configurations used to enable and manage network communication on Linux-based operating systems. It involves configuring network interfaces, managing IP addresses, routing, firewall settings, and using command-line utilities such as ifconfig, ip, netstat, and others. Linux networking is widely used in server environments, cloud infrastructure, and embedded devices due to its flexibility and robust security features.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Linux Networking professional, and why are they important?

To excel in Linux Networking, you need a solid understanding of Linux operating systems, networking protocols (such as TCP/IP), and troubleshooting skills, often backed by a degree in computer science or related certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or RHCE. Familiarity with network configuration tools (e.g., iptables, netstat), scripting languages (like Bash or Python), and network monitoring systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for diagnosing issues and collaborating with IT teams. These skills ensure reliable network performance, efficient problem resolution, and secure system operations in complex IT environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Linux networking roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Linux networking often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex network issues, managing configuration drift, and ensuring system security. Staying up-to-date with the latest networking tools and maintaining thorough documentation can help mitigate these issues. Additionally, collaborating closely with system administrators and security teams ensures smoother operations and quicker problem resolution. Proactively automating routine tasks through scripting can also significantly reduce manual errors and improve efficiency.
More about Linux Networking jobs
What states have the most Linux Networking jobs? States with the most job openings for Linux Networking jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Linux Networking jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Linux Networking jobs are:
Linux Networking jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux Networking job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,830 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Linux Systems Engineer

Nightwing

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers' most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Nightwing is seeking a highly skilled Linux Systems Engineer to design, deploy, optimize, automate, and support large-scale Linux infrastructure supporting secure networking and remote-access services. This role is ideal for an engineer with deep expertise in Linux networking, policy-based routing, kernel performance tuning, infrastructure automation, and modern VPN technologies including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with network engineering, systems administration, and platform engineering teams to deliver highly available, secure, and scalable infrastructure solutions in mission-critical environments.
Primary Responsibilities
Linux Infrastructure Engineering
  • Design, deploy, administer, and maintain enterprise Linux environments.
  • Develop standardized operating system configurations and hardened baseline builds.
  • Perform operating system upgrades, patch management, lifecycle maintenance, and performance optimization.
  • Troubleshoot complex operating system, networking, and application issues.
Advanced Network Engineering
Design and implement advanced routing architectures utilizing:
  • Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
  • Multiple routing tables
  • Route maps and traffic steering
  • Source-based and destination-based routing
  • Multi-homed network environments
Configure and troubleshoot:
  • OSPF and static routing
  • VLANs, LACP, and 802.1Q trunking
  • Network namespaces
  • VRFs
  • NAT and firewall policies
Analyze and troubleshoot network traffic using:
  • tcpdump
  • Wireshark
  • iproute2
  • nftables
  • iptables
Linux Kernel Tuning & Performance Optimization
Tune Linux kernel parameters for:
  • High-throughput networking
  • Low-latency applications
  • VPN gateway performance
  • Large-scale concurrent connections
Optimize:
  • TCP/IP stack performance
  • Network buffer sizing
  • IRQ balancing
  • CPU affinity
  • NUMA awareness
  • Memory management
Utilize performance analysis tools including:
  • perf
  • sar
  • vmstat
  • iostat
  • eBPF observability tools
  • systemd performance metrics
VPN Engineering
Design, deploy, and support secure VPN infrastructures using:
  • OpenVPN 2.6+
  • WireGuard
  • IPSec
Implement and support:
  • Site-to-site VPNs
  • Remote-access VPNs
  • Hub-and-spoke architectures
  • High-availability VPN clusters
  • Dynamic routing across VPN overlays
Responsibilities include:
  • Troubleshooting encryption, routing, MTU, and performance issues
  • Implementing modern cryptographic standards and VPN hardening best practices
Configuration Management & Automation
Develop and maintain Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) solutions using SaltStack.
Create and maintain:
  • Salt States
  • Pillars
  • Custom modules
  • Orchestration workflows
Automate:
  • System provisioning
  • Configuration deployment
  • Compliance enforcement
  • VPN deployments
  • Security baseline management
Integrate SaltStack with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure monitoring platforms.
Required Qualifications:
Current Top-Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility
Technical Experience
  • 5+ years of Linux Systems Engineering experience
  • 3+ years of advanced Linux networking experience
  • 3+ years of VPN engineering experience
  • 3+ years of SaltStack administration and automation experience
Operating Systems
Strong hands-on experience with:
  • Debian Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
Networking Expertise
Demonstrated expertise with:
  • Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
  • iproute2
  • Routing tables and policy rules
  • Linux bridges
  • Bonding and teaming
  • VLANs
  • VRFs
  • Network namespaces
  • Dynamic routing protocols
  • High-availability networking architectures
VPN Expertise
Strong practical experience with:
  • WireGuard
  • OpenVPN 2.6+
  • IPSec
  • PKI and certificate management
  • TLS authentication
  • Multi-site VPN topologies
  • VPN performance tuning
Automation & Scripting
Experience with:
  • SaltStack
  • Python
  • Bash
  • Git
  • CI/CD workflows

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting cloud platforms including:
    • Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
    • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
    • Microsoft Azure
  • Experience with container technologies:
    • Docker
    • Kubernetes
  • Experience supporting confidential computing environments
  • Knowledge of CNSA-compliant cryptographic implementations
  • Familiarity with eBPF-based observability and network diagnostics
  • Industry certifications such as:
    • RHCE
    • LFCE
    • CCNP
    • Equivalent advanced certifications

Desired Skills
  • Exceptional troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capabilities
  • Strong documentation and technical writing skills
  • Ability to operate independently in mission-critical environments
  • Experience designing highly available and fault-tolerant systems
  • Security-first mindset with strong infrastructure design principles
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills

Salary & Benefits
The salary associated with this position ($99,000-$206,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.
Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.
Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

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