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Senior Linux Administrator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Argo Cyber Systems

Senior Linux Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Senior Linux Administrator Location: Arlington, VA (On-Site) Citizenship: US only Clearance: Active TS/SCI (DHS EOD Suitability required) Company: Argo Cyber Systems, LLC - Service-Disabled Veteran ...

Argo Cyber Systems

Senior Linux Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Senior Linux Administrator Location: Arlington, VA (On-Site) Citizenship: US only Clearance: Active TS/SCI (DHS EOD Suitability required) Company: Argo Cyber Systems, LLC - Service-Disabled Veteran ...

Leidos

Senior Linux System Administrator

Alexandria, VA

$107K - $195K/yr

The Senior Linux System Administrator will work within a team engineers, developers and system administrators, adding new capabilities to our enclaves, as well as ensuring the existing systems are ...

Leidos

Senior Linux System Administrator

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

The Senior Linux System Administrator will work within a team engineers, developers and system administrators, adding new capabilities to our enclaves, as well as ensuring the existing systems are ...

Clark Creative Solutions

CCS is in search of a Senior Linux Software Developer/System Administrator to fill a System Architects role for PFPA's atmospheric modeling system. The system provides hazard prediction for the ...

Leidos

Senior Linux System Administrator

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

The Senior Linux System Administrator will work within a team engineers, developers and system administrators, adding new capabilities to our enclaves, as well as ensuring the existing systems are ...

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Senior Linux Administrator information

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How much do senior linux administrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior linux administrator in Virginia is $52.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.64 and $57.21 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 Virginia? The most popular types of Linux Administrator jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Senior Linux Administrator job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,995 per year, or $52.9 per hour.

Senior Linux Administrator

Argo Cyber Systems

Arlington, VA • On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Senior Linux Administrator
Location: Arlington, VA (On-Site)
Citizenship: US only
Clearance: Active TS/SCI (DHS EOD Suitability required)
Company: Argo Cyber Systems, LLC - Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
About Argo Cyber Systems
Argo Cyber Systems provides mission-critical cybersecurity support to U.S. Government agencies and critical infrastructure owners nationwide. Our teams deliver rapid incident response, advanced forensics, and coordinated recovery operations to protect vital systems from evolving cyber threats. We combine technical precision with operational agility-helping federal partners identify, contain, and recover from complex cyber incidents with speed and confidence.
Argo Cyber is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services. Argo Cyber is seeking a Technical Engagement Network (TEN) Lab Manager with experience in Linux Systems Administrator to support the design, development, and deployment of advanced cybersecurity capabilities in the customer environment supporting analysts and business continuity of the customer mission.
Role and Responsibilities
  • Applying advanced analytical skills and technical resources at the tactical levels and implement infrastructure solutions supporting command decision making and execution of mission requirements.
  • Perform large scale configuration management and deployment across Windows, MacOS, Linux/Unix, and other operating systems and virtual environments to support the TEN infrastructure.
  • Supporting the implementation of new technologies and equipment in the lab environment.
  • Providing ongoing systems administration, technical support, upgrades, patching and troubleshooting services.
  • Monitor RedHat platforms security and health, create and maintain reports of findings daily
  • Create next-generation application platform automation solutions utilizing RedHat Openshift, RedHat Ansible automation, Docker, Kubernetes, and Podman.
  • Integrate and configure COTS, GOTS, and third-party applications into RedHat Openshift and demonstrate ability to manage, maintain and patch containerized applications.
  • Create and support development of automation solutions for deployment of systems and applications to virtual and physical devices using RedHat Openshift, RedHat Ansible Tower, and RedHat Satellite.
  • Performing implementation of granular access control, and monitor systems for acceptable performance and user accessibility, establish back-ups, and monitor systems security.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex storage problems across the enterprise related to storage and replication strategies across local and wide area networks, monitor channels for storage-related network and system issues and remediate them as they occur.
  • Examine and identify efficiencies that can be made to existing procedures, with approval from the customer.
  • Managing assigned project components to deliver services in accordance with established objectives.
  • Advises and provides insight on development of lab standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.
  • Employ security concepts, theories, insights, tools and methodologies to mitigate system weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Qualifications, Education and Skills Requirements
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Bachelor's degree with 5-7 years of experience in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • Must have an active DoD Secret clearance, TS/SCI clearance is preferred.
  • Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability.
  • 5+ years of directly relevant experience as a Linux System Administrator.
  • 2+ years MacOS and iOS experience.
  • Must be able to work collaboratively across physical locations.

Additional Desires and Considerations
  • Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with various clients in order to explain and elaborate on technical details
  • Experience with writing technical procedures and standard operating procedures.
  • Virtualization automation and optimization.
  • Experience with multiple operating systems to include Linux/Unix, Windows, & Splunk
  • Practical experience with different scripting languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript, etc.)
  • Practical experience with the Databricks Intelligence Platform
  • Experience with system vulnerability assessments
  • Knowledge of computer programming and scripting languages
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) experience
  • CompTIA Security+ or higher certification level preferred

Company Benefits
ARGO Cyber Systems provides industry competitive employee benefits to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401K.
Argo Cyber Systems is a Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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