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Senior Linux Administrator Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Senior Linux Administrator

Pensacola, FL · On-site

$90K - $140K/hr

ValidaTek is seeking a reliable and highly skilled Senior Linux Administrator to support the Cybersecurity Systems Support (CSS) contract with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). This ...

ValidaTek is seeking a reliable and highly skilled Senior Linux Administrator to support the Cybersecurity Systems Support (CSS) contract with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). This ...

Senior Linux/UNIX System Administrator Location: Brevard County , FL 32925 Let's create our future together at The AES Group! About The AES Group: The AES Group is a premier technology and ...

Linux Systems Administrator

Orlando, FL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Overview Are you a Linux systems Administrator with a Secret clearance looking to work with a team ... senior internal and customer personnel. * Develop a user-based understanding of the system to ...

Are you a Linux systems Administrator with a Secret clearance looking to work with a team of driven ... senior internal and customer personnel. * Develop a user-based understanding of the system to ...

Senior Systems Administrator

Tallahassee, FL · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

Position: Sr. Systems Administrator - Windows, AWS & Azure Location: Tallahassee, FL Duration: 10+ ... Experience administering Linux (RedHat and Ubuntu). * Experience with enterprise infrastructure ...

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Senior Linux Administrator information

See Florida salary details

$28

$39

$52

How much do senior linux administrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior linux administrator in Florida is $39.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.91 and $43.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges a senior Linux administrator faces when managing large-scale server environments?

Senior Linux Administrators often encounter challenges such as ensuring system reliability across numerous servers, automating routine maintenance tasks, and maintaining security compliance. Balancing the need for rapid updates with minimizing downtime requires careful planning and coordination with other IT teams. Additionally, troubleshooting complex issues in heterogeneous environments can demand deep expertise and effective communication with developers, network engineers, and support staff.

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

To thrive as a Senior Linux Administrator, you need advanced expertise in Linux operating systems, scripting languages (like Bash or Python), and strong troubleshooting abilities, typically backed by several years of experience and a relevant degree or certifications such as RHCE. Familiarity with configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet), virtualization platforms, cloud environments, and monitoring systems is essential. Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help you efficiently resolve incidents and coordinate with other IT professionals. These skills ensure system reliability, security, and optimal performance in complex, mission-critical IT environments.

What does a senior Linux administrator do?

A Senior Linux Administrator is responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and securing Linux servers and systems in an organization. They monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure high availability and reliability of critical infrastructure. Their duties often include automating routine tasks, managing user permissions, applying security updates, and supporting development teams. Senior administrators typically also mentor junior staff and contribute to planning and implementing IT strategies.

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

AspectSenior Linux AdministratorLinux Engineer
CertificationsLinux+, RHCE, LPIC-2Linux+, RHCE, LPIC-2
Work EnvironmentData centers, enterprise servers, IT teamsDevelopment environments, cloud platforms, automation projects
Primary FocusSystem maintenance, troubleshooting, security, performance tuningDesigning, developing, and implementing Linux-based solutions

While both roles require similar certifications and often work within enterprise environments, Senior Linux Administrators focus on maintaining and securing existing systems, whereas Linux Engineers are more involved in designing and building new Linux solutions. The roles complement each other but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Administrator jobs in Florida? The most popular types of Linux Administrator jobs in Florida are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Senior Linux Administrator jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Senior Linux Administrator job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Linux Administrator job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,910 per year, or $39.9 per hour.

Senior Linux Administrator

ValidaTek, Inc.

Pensacola, FL • On-site

$90K - $140K/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Company Overview:
At ValidaTek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, ValidaTek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our success starts and ends with our people, so we built a company where great people can do great things, with the resources and autonomy to make decisions that transform organizations. We operate as one team of diverse people, united by a passion for continuous growth and optimization. Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation. www.validatek.com
Summary:

ValidaTek is seeking a reliable and highly skilled Senior Linux Administrator to support the Cybersecurity Systems Support (CSS) contract with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). This position is responsible for the architecture, day-to-day operations, maintenance, and security of enterprise Linux systems, particularly Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), in a high-security DoD environment. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical foundation in open-source and Linux environments, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to lead the support of a secure and stable IT infrastructure. This is a 100% on-site role located in Pensacola, FL.

Shift: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:00pm

Responsibilities:

  • Administer, maintain, and provide advanced troubleshooting for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) servers, ensuring optimal system performance, security, and availability.
  • Manage, optimize, and support Linux-centric enterprise services (e.g., DNS, DHCP, NFS, Identity Management/FreeIPA).
  • Lead OS patching, updates, and antivirus definition deployments using Red Hat Satellite in strict compliance with DoD STIGs and IAVM directives.
  • Develop, maintain, and execute Ansible playbooks to automate system configurations, security remediation, and routine administrative tasks.
  • Participate in and lead the implementation, automation, and enforcement of security controls as part of the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
  • Contribute to eMASS documentation and ATO/IATT sustainment efforts.
  • Perform system monitoring, log analysis, and advanced troubleshooting for complex hardware, OS, and network issues, serving as an escalation point.
  • Create and maintain highly accurate documentation of system configurations, infrastructure changes, and standard operating procedures.
  • Oversee backup and recovery operations, ensuring data protection and mission continuity.
  • Provide operational support and maintenance for hosted data brokering and event streaming applications (such as Apache NiFi and Kafka) as part of the broader Linux infrastructure.
  • Work collaboratively with network, data engineering, cybersecurity, and help desk teams, and mentor junior administrators to ensure secure, stable, and compliant system operations.
Qualifications:
  • Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field OR equivalent hands-on experience.
  • DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+ CE) – required.
  • 5+ years of experience in systems administration in a DoD or large enterprise environment.
  • Extensive experience with Linux systems administration, with a heavy focus on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
  • Strong, hands-on experience with Ansible for configuration management, automation, and orchestration.
  • Demonstrated experience managing Red Hat Satellite for system provisioning, patch management, and subscription management.
  • Familiarity with virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware vSphere, KVM).
  • Working knowledge of STIG compliance, RMF, and security best practices specifically for Linux environments.
  • Proficiency in Linux scripting (e.g., Bash, Python).
  • Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work independently or lead technical initiatives in a secure, structured environment.
  • Excellent communication and technical documentation abilities.

 Preferred Qualifications:

  • Hands-on experience or familiarity with data brokering and message brokering platforms, specifically Apache NiFi and Apache Kafka.
  • Linux vendor certifications such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), or VMware Certified Professional (VCP).
  • Familiarity with containerization (e.g., Podman, Docker, Kubernetes/OpenShift).
  • Familiarity with eMASS, HBSS, ACAS, or Splunk.
  • Understanding of ITIL practices, including change and configuration management.
  • Experience supporting DoD or classified information systems.
 
Salary Disclosure:
Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, geographic location, contract affordability, internal equity, education, and certifications.
The upper end of the salary range may be reserved for individuals who have demonstrated tenure with the company, seniority, and proven excellent performance. This includes factors such as education, certifications, and extensive/unique experience beyond what is required.
EEO Statement:
ValidaTek is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to verify authorization to work in the United States.
Offers of employment will be contingent upon passing a post-offer background check.