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Linux System Administrator Contract Jobs in Illinois

Apex Informatics

Linux System Admin

Evanston, IL · On-site

... System Administrator. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Red Hat Enterprise Linux ... RHEL) and be responsible for managing, maintaining, and optimizing Linux-based systems. This role ...

Sierra ITS

Linux Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Linux System Administrator - Full Time, Hybrid - Downtown Chicago - Pension Eligible Your Linux Admin skills are great, but your personality is really what shines. We've been asked by a well ...

Sentinel

Linux Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$82K - $110K/yr

This administrator is responsible to install, administer, and support Red Hat Enterprise Linux ... This role is responsible for system availability, performance tuning, automation, patching ...

Sentinel

Linux Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$82K - $110K/yr

This administrator is responsible to install, administer, and support Red Hat Enterprise Linux ... This role is responsible for system availability, performance tuning, automation, patching ...

Sentinel

Linux Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$82K - $110K/yr

This administrator is responsible to install, administer, and support Red Hat Enterprise Linux ... This role is responsible for system availability, performance tuning, automation, patching ...

Usg

Linux Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95 - $145/hr

... Enterprise Linux and VMware ESXi on HPE hardware and in Azure Cloud. These servers are used ... Participate as a member of a small team that works cooperatively to ensure system infrastructure ...

USG Corporation

Linux Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$82K - $110K/yr

Proficient in scripting to create, modify, and execute automated system functions. Experience with ... Solid understanding of Linux OS protocols and services: NFS, TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP(s), etc.

Kyndryl

Mainframe z/VM & Linux

Chicago, IL

Administer z/VM components such as: * DirMaint * VMSES/E * RACF for z/VM security * Apply system ... Install, configure, and maintain Linux distributions on IBM Z: * RHEL, SUSE, Ubuntu * Support ...

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Linux System Administrator Contract information

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How much do linux system administrator contract jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for linux system administrator contract in Illinois is $50.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.86 and $60.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Linux system administrator contract?

A Linux System Administrator Contract job is a temporary or project-based role where an IT professional manages and maintains Linux-based systems for an organization. Responsibilities typically include server setup, system monitoring, troubleshooting, security management, and performance optimization. Contract positions may last for a few months to a year or more, depending on the employer's needs. These roles are often found in industries that rely heavily on Linux servers, such as cloud computing, finance, and cybersecurity. Contractors may work on-site or remotely and are usually compensated on an hourly or project basis.

What does a Linux system administrator contract do?

As a Linux System Administrator Contractor, you will typically be tasked with deploying, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting Linux servers to ensure optimal performance and security. Your daily work may include applying software updates, managing user accounts, automating processes with scripts, and responding to incidents or service requests. Contractors often work closely with development, DevOps, and IT security teams, providing technical support and collaborating to implement infrastructure improvements. Project assignments can vary widely based on the client’s needs, offering opportunities to work with cloud platforms, virtualization, and integrating new technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed for a Linux system administrator contract?

To thrive as a Linux System Administrator Contract, you need strong expertise in Linux operating systems, shell scripting, server management, and troubleshooting, often supported by a degree in computer science or relevant experience. Familiarity with tools such as Ansible, Docker, VMware, and certifications like RHCSA or CompTIA Linux+ are highly valued. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These qualities are essential for maintaining system reliability, collaborating with teams, and meeting the fast-paced demands of contract assignments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux System Administrator jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Linux System Administrator jobs in Illinois are:

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For Linux System Administrator Contract jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Linux System Administrator Contract jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Linux System Administrator Contract jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Linux System Administrator Contract jobs?

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Linux System Administrator Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux System Administrator Contract job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $104,731 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Linux System Administrator

Delaware Nation Industries

Dahlgren, IL • On-site

$110 - $140/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Delaware Nation Industries is seeking a Linux System Administrator - Senior to provide advanced systems administration and engineering support for the Air Force Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System/Joint Interoperability Test and Services mission. This position will help maintain secure, resilient, and highly available Linux infrastructure across classified and unclassified environments supporting mission-critical operations.

The Senior Linux System Administrator will serve as a technical authority for Linux platforms, virtualization, automation, system security, performance, and lifecycle management. The position requires the ability to independently solve complex problems, lead technical efforts, develop repeatable processes, and coordinate with Government stakeholders and other engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities
  • Administer, engineer, optimize, and maintain enterprise Linux systems and services across multiple security levels and operational environments.
  • Install, configure, harden, patch, upgrade, and decommission Linux operating systems, applications, services, and supporting infrastructure.
  • Support Red Hat Enterprise Linux and other approved Linux distributions, including system services, package management, storage, networking, authentication, logging, and performance tuning.
  • Design and implement repeatable procedures for system builds, provisioning, configuration management, patching, backup, recovery, restoration, and lifecycle operations.
  • Analyze complex system, application, hardware, virtualization, storage, and network problems; conduct root-cause analysis and implement durable corrective actions.
  • Monitor system availability, resource utilization, capacity, performance, and security posture; identify risks and recommend improvements before they affect mission operations.
  • Administer and troubleshoot VMware or comparable virtualized infrastructure, including virtual machines, images, templates, virtual networking, and storage dependencies.
  • Develop and maintain scripts and automation using Bash, Python, Ansible, Puppet, or comparable tools to improve consistency, reduce manual effort, and support troubleshooting.
  • Support DevSecOps practices, source-code or configuration repositories, automated workflows, and controlled deployment processes when applicable to the environment.
  • Apply DISA STIGs, security baselines, vulnerability-remediation procedures, and other DoD cybersecurity requirements to Linux systems and applications.
  • Execute or support ACAS/Nessus scans, vulnerability analysis, remediation, validation, and compliance reporting.
  • Maintain secure system access, including accounts, roles, privileges, SSH, authentication services, certificates, keys, and least-privilege controls.
  • Support SAN/NAS storage, NFS, iSCSI, file systems, backup infrastructure, and data-transfer services as assigned.
  • Support authorized electronic and manual data transfers between network environments and troubleshoot transfer failures, integrity issues, and related operational problems.
  • Participate in system integration, testing, acceptance, change control, technical interchange meetings, exercises, and mission-readiness activities.
  • Produce and maintain system documentation, architecture diagrams, standard operating procedures, configuration records, plans of action and milestones, and technical reports.
  • Provide technical leadership, mentoring, knowledge transfer, and cross-training to Mid-level administrators and other team members.
  • Coordinate with cybersecurity, network, Windows, application, database, service desk, and Government teams to resolve escalated incidents and maintain continuity of operations.
  • Participate in scheduled maintenance, planned outages, incident response, and after-hours or on-call support as required by the contract.
  • Active DoD TS/SCI security clearance.
  • At least six (6) years of professional Unix/Linux systems administration experience.
  • DoD 8570/8140-compliant IAT III certification, such as CISSP, CASP+ or another current DoD-approved equivalent.
  • Demonstrated experience administering enterprise Linux systems in a DoD, intelligence, classified, or similarly regulated environment.
  • Strong knowledge of Linux system architecture, networking, storage, system services, access control, logging, troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
  • Experience with system backup and recovery, software and patch management, security hardening, vulnerability remediation, and configuration control.
  • Experience with virtualization technologies, preferably VMware vSphere and related management components.
  • Proficiency with shell scripting and demonstrated ability to automate or streamline system administration tasks.
  • Experience diagnosing complex technical issues, performing root-cause analysis, and communicating solutions to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently, lead technical efforts, and collaborate across functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting Air Force, JWAC, JITS, Joint, intelligence, or other DoD mission environments.
  • Experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7/8/9 or successor supported releases, CentOS, Scientific Linux, Debian, or comparable distributions.
  • Experience with Puppet Enterprise, Ansible, CloudBolt, Git, Docker, or comparable automation and DevSecOps technologies.
  • Experience supporting multi-level security, cross-domain solutions, classified networks, data-transfer systems, or mission-essential communications environments.
  • Experience with ACAS/Nessus, HBSS/endpoint security tools, STIG Viewer, vulnerability-management platforms, or comparable DoD cybersecurity tools.Experience with SAN/NAS technologies, NFS, iSCSI, RAID, LVM, XFS, ext4, ZFS, or other enterprise file systems.
  • Experience with DNS, DHCP, NTP, LDAP/Active Directory integration, RADIUS, PKI, certificates, SSH, TCP/IP, and firewall-related troubleshooting.
  • Experience with monitoring, logging, configuration-management, ticketing, and IT service-management platforms.
  • Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
  • Linux, VMware, automation, security, or other relevant industry certifications.
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