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Principal Unix Linux Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of Red Hat Enterprise Linux/Oracle Enterprise Linux and Solaris UNIX. The responsibilities include but ...

Unix System Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

The HITS Unix/Linux and Container Services Team at Michigan Medicine is seeking a candidate to fulfill the role of Unix Systems Engineer.The Unix/Linux and Container Services team is responsible for ...

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of Red Hat Enterprise Linux/Oracle Enterprise Linux and Solaris UNIX. The responsibilities include but ...

About You We are looking to hire Systems Programmers and Administrators with a deep knowledge of Unix internals and the Linux ecosystem. Candidates should have a willingness to learn OCaml, our ...

About You We are looking to hire Systems Programmers and Administrators with a deep knowledge of Unix internals and the Linux ecosystem. Candidates should have a willingness to learn OCaml, our ...

System migrations in the Redhat Linux and UNIX (IBM AIX) environments. Expert in installation, administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Redhat Linux and IBM AIX Unix servers. Tech Specs:

Highly experienced UNIX/Linux systems/security engineer proficient in C systems and network programming and systems integration in an enterprise environment * Must have : * Good knowledge of UNIX ...

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Principal Unix Linux Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal unix linux engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal unix linux engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Principal Unix Linux Engineer do?

A Principal Unix Linux Engineer is a senior-level technical expert responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Unix and Linux systems within an organization. They lead large-scale infrastructure projects, develop best practices for system performance and security, and often mentor junior engineers. Their role typically includes troubleshooting complex issues, automating system administration tasks, and ensuring systems are robust, scalable, and secure. They also collaborate with other IT teams to support mission-critical applications and infrastructure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Unix Linux Engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Unix Linux Engineer, you need deep expertise in Unix/Linux system administration, scripting, and infrastructure design, typically backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automation tools (such as Ansible or Puppet), cloud platforms, and certifications like RHCE or LPIC are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication set top performers apart in this role. These skills are essential to ensure robust, secure, and scalable systems, and to effectively lead technical teams in complex environments.

How does a Principal Unix Linux Engineer typically collaborate with other IT teams to ensure system reliability and performance?

A Principal Unix Linux Engineer works closely with network administrators, security teams, application developers, and support staff to maintain optimal system uptime and performance. Collaboration often involves participating in architecture reviews, troubleshooting cross-platform issues, and implementing automation for repetitive tasks. Effective communication and coordination are essential, as this role frequently leads incident response efforts, shares technical expertise, and helps define best practices for system integration and security compliance.

What is the difference between Principal Unix Linux Engineer vs Senior Unix Linux Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Unix Linux EngineerSenior Unix Linux Engineer
ResponsibilitiesDesigning architecture, leading projects, strategic planningImplementing solutions, troubleshooting, mentoring
CertificationsLinux certifications (e.g., RHCE, LPIC), advanced credentialsSimilar certifications, often with less emphasis on leadership
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, cross-team collaboration, strategic focusHands-on technical work, operational support
Experience LevelTypically 10+ years, senior technical expertise5-10 years, advanced technical skills

The Principal Unix Linux Engineer generally holds a higher strategic and leadership role, focusing on architecture and project direction, while the Senior Unix Linux Engineer concentrates on technical implementation and support. Both roles require strong technical skills and certifications, but the principal position involves more oversight and planning.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Unix Linux Engineer jobs?

For Principal Unix Linux Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer

Radford, VA • On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Overview/ Job Responsibilities

Position is contingent upon contract award and funding.

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of Red Hat Enterprise Linux/Oracle Enterprise Linux and Solaris UNIX.

The responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Working with the existing UNIX/Linux team to manage, maintain, deploy, troubleshoot and support servers for a mixed customer environment
  • Planning, executing, and implementing new system Hardware and Software and create and maintain team technical instructions, operating procedures and policies as needed
  • Monitoring and tuning system performance, ongoing operation of the servers, hardening of the servers and reporting of the overall security and operational status
  • Recommend improvements to the enterprise and manage new SW/HW integrations when required while also providing utilization reports using existing tools to identify problems and corrective actions as needed
  • Excellent communication and team skills
  • Provide support toward the lifecycle of a mixed environment of vendor equipment in the data center to include firmware version control and periodic preventive maintenance
  • Be able to recommend, demonstrate, and implement technologies to help expand, upgrade, and increase efficiency to the current environment

Salary range: $100,000.00 - $140,000.00

Minimum Qualifications
  • Active DoD Secret Security Clearance
  • CompTIA Security+
  • Experience in Computer Science or IT
  • Computing Environment (CE) Certification (i.e., RedHat) - can be waived for 30 days after project join date
  • Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience in automating assigned tasks
  • Minimum three years' experience in patch management with understanding how to apply security updates to systems via YUM and RPM
  • Minimum three years' experience working in an environment with complex networks while demonstrating experience using VLANs, troubleshooting tools such as ifconfig, netstat, ssh and telnet as well as how to harden a system using firewalld/iptables and hosts
  • Minimum three years' experience managing a large pool of local users through the use of the command line
  • Minimum three years' experience creating, maintaining, following Standard Operating Procedures for repeatable processes, disaster recovery, and common problem resolution
  • Minimum three years' experience configuring and maintaining key services such as DNS, SFTP, SMTP, and NTP
  • Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to be a team player
Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent years of experience
  • Minimum three years' experience with SELinux - understand the basic and advanced management and configuration of SELinux
  • Experience supporting Cybersecurity patch management and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG), Security Requirement Guides (SRG), RMF, Security Control Assessor-Validator (SCA-V), and Cyber Operational Readiness Assessments (CORA)
  • Experience deploying large scale HW and SW systems enhancements and/or upgrades for an organization with widely distributed geographic sites
  • Experience with current and emerging network and infrastructure management technologies and business practices
About Us

Formed through the strategic union of Sev1Tech and ERT, Entarian is a premier provider of mission-critical engineering and technology solutions. Founded on a legacy of excellence dating back to 1993, Entarian is a product of an evolved and fully diversified engineering and federal technology leader. From deep space to defense and civilian missions, Entarian delivers secure, mission-aligned digital solutions that drive national resilience and operational effectiveness. We don't just support modernization; we define it.

Join the Mission and Start your Career Journey: Apply Directly via our Careers Portal  Connect, Referrals & Inquiries? Email the team: careers@entarian.com

Entarian is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Employment Type: OTHER