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Linux System Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Linux System Engineer

Burke, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Linux Systems Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$159K - $216K/yr

The Linux Systems Engineer is an active participant in SAFe and Scrum development teams and ... Standardize system configuration, patching, and deployment processes through infrastructure-as-code ...

... Linux Systems Engineer. In this role you will perform production systems integration within a ... Experience scripting and developing system automation tools * Experience with log analysis ...

SIMILAR CAREER TITLES Linux Administrator, Systems Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Unix Administrator, IT Systems Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Cloud Systems Administrator, Server Administrator ...

... Linux Systems Engineer. In this role you will perform production systems integration within a ... Experience scripting and developing system automation tools * Experience with log analysis ...

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Linux System Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$11

$58

$79

How much do linux system engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for linux system engineer in Washington, DC is $58.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.73 and $65.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Linux System Engineer vs Linux Administrator?

AspectLinux System EngineerLinux Administrator
CertificationsLinux Professional Institute (LPIC), CompTIA Linux+LPIC, CompTIA Linux+
Work EnvironmentDesigns, develops, and implements Linux systems, often in complex or large-scale environmentsMaintains, monitors, and supports existing Linux systems in daily operations
ResponsibilitiesSystem architecture, scripting, troubleshooting, and optimizationSystem setup, user management, backups, and routine maintenance
Industry UsageIT, cloud services, data centers, enterprise solutionsIT support, network management, server administration

While both roles require Linux certifications and involve working with Linux systems, Linux System Engineers focus on designing and developing Linux infrastructure, whereas Linux Administrators handle daily maintenance and support tasks. The roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope and complexity.

What are Linux System Engineers?

Linux System Engineers are IT professionals who specialize in designing, implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting Linux-based computer systems and servers. They manage system configurations, install and update software, monitor system performance, and ensure security and reliability. These engineers often automate tasks using scripting languages like Bash or Python and may also configure networks, storage, and cloud environments. Their expertise is critical for organizations that rely on Linux infrastructure for web hosting, application deployment, or enterprise operations.

What are some typical challenges Linux System Engineers face when managing large-scale server infrastructures?

Linux System Engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining system uptime, ensuring security, and managing configuration consistency across a large number of servers. Troubleshooting complex issues can require in-depth knowledge of Linux internals and scripting to automate repetitive tasks. Additionally, collaborating with development and operations teams to ensure smooth deployment of updates and new services is crucial, as is staying updated with rapid changes in open-source technologies.

What Does a Linux System Engineer Do?

As a Linux system engineer, your job duties include designing, implementing, troubleshooting, and monitoring programs created through the Linux system. You handle performance issues, ensure that the company has the proper network infrastructure, and develop new programs and tools for the company. You collaborate with team members to build applications that help others get the most out of the available infrastructure. A Linux system engineer also installs applications and uses software tools and IP network technologies to resolve issues and monitor program performance.

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

To thrive as a Linux System Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of Linux operating systems, scripting languages (such as Bash or Python), and experience with system administration or a related degree. Familiarity with configuration management tools (like Ansible or Puppet), virtualization platforms, cloud services, and relevant certifications (such as RHCE or CompTIA Linux+) is highly beneficial. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing complex systems and collaborating with technical teams. These abilities ensure reliability, security, and efficient operation of critical IT infrastructure.
What are the most commonly searched types of Linux System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Linux System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Linux System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Linux System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Linux System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Linux System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Linux System Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, and 99% Full Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,995 per year, or $58.2 per hour.
Linux System Engineer

Linux System Engineer

Leidos

Burke, VA • On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 426 rated business services


Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an understanding of the services offered to external organizations, provide lifecycle systems engineering support to development and operations on the program, and use a combination of technical and functional expertise to recommend solutions to satisfy customer requirements. 

Primary Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and support cloud initiatives to support customer driven needs

  • Communicate and mitigate operational issues as received. Work to proactively identify RCA of baseline issues and establish a feedback loop to development.

  • Work as a SME to review user metrics, system health, overall performance checkouts and implements proactive measures to support operational availability

  • Responsible for deployment support as a product SME. Provide backfill tasking and troubleshooting script/playbook based automation processes as necessary.

  • Manage several environments as a Linux SME providing overall support to the program and working with Enterprise Services to ensure compliance with security services and applications.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related discipline plus 4-6 years of professional experience as a Systems Administrator or similar technical role.

  • Proactive self-starter demonstrating a positive, willing attitude and excellent oral and written communication skills.

  • Two or more years of experience with Amazon Web Services (S3 Buckets, EC2, Reserved Instances, etc.)

  • Familiar with System Engineering documentation creation (network diagrams, data flows, etc.)

  • Experience working with Agile Team Collaboration tools  such as (Jira, Confluence, BitBucket)

  • Strong Linux background and familiarity with best practices of infrastructure management

  • Active TS/SCI with CI Poly preferred

Preferred Qualifications

  • Oracle COTS product experience (Oracle Access Manager, Oracle Unified Directory, etc.)

  • Experience with Kubernetes

  • Experience with Elastic tools (ElasticSearch, Kibana, Logstash)

  • Experience with AWS and other cloud vendors.

  • Experience with Amazon Web Services technical performance versus cost management

  • Experience with cloud-based architectures

  • Familiar with cross domain architectures at various levels

  • Experience with automated testing and monitoring

  • Experience with Engineering Review Boards and Change Management

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:April 16, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $73,450.00 - $132,775.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.


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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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