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Senior Unix Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Open iT Inc.

Senior Systems Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$90K - $123K/yr

... Unix and Linux platforms. Founded in 1999, with offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Open iT ... Senior Engineer Information Management , Norsk Hydro ASA "Newfield Exploration chose Open iT for ...

Open iT Inc.

Senior Systems Engineer

Houston, TX

$90K - $123K/yr

... Unix and Linux platforms. Founded in 1999, with offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Open iT ... Senior Engineer Information Management , Norsk Hydro ASA "Newfield Exploration chose Open iT for ...

Addison Group

Sr. Developer - Progress

Houston, TX · On-site

$150K/yr

Location Houston - on-site 5 days a week Title Sr. Progress Developer Salary up to $150,000 ... Strong knowledge of object-oriented programming, SQL, Linux/Unix, and application integration.

Baylor Genetics

Sr HPC Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$96K - $132K/yr

JOB SUMMARY We are seeking a Senior HPC Engineer with deep hands-on experience in high-performance ... Unix system experience including cluster-based computing environments. • Experience with ...

Raasinfotek

Senior Java Developer

Texas City, TX · On-site

$49 - $62.50/hr

... Title: Sr. Java Developer Duration: 6+ Months Rate: DOE • 7+ years of application support ... of RHEL/UNIX/Windows OSes • Java programing skills • Shell scripting • Familiar with ...

Raasinfotek

Senior Java Developer

Texas City, TX

$49 - $62.50/hr

... Title: Sr. Java Developer Duration: 6+ Months Rate: DOE 7+ years of application support ... UNIX/Windows OSes Java programing skills Shell scripting Familiar with networking concepts ...

Tailored Brands

Sr Software Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

We currently have an exciting opportunity for Sr Rental Software Engineer to join our Tailored ... Unix scripts for automation and application support tasks. • Future opportunity to migrate legacy ...

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All JobsUnix Engineer JobsSenior Unix Engineer JobsSenior Unix Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Senior Unix Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$56.8K

$120.9K

$175.2K

How much do senior unix engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior unix engineer in Houston, TX is $120,858.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,800.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Unix Engineer, you need deep expertise in Unix/Linux system administration, scripting, troubleshooting, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with automation tools (such as Ansible or Puppet), shell scripting languages (like Bash or Perl), and certifications like RHCE or CompTIA Linux+ is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to mentor junior staff help set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure reliable systems, smooth operations, and robust support for complex enterprise environments.

What does a Senior Unix Engineer do?

A Senior Unix Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Unix-based systems within an organization. They handle advanced troubleshooting, system performance tuning, security configurations, and ensure the reliability and scalability of Unix infrastructure. In addition, they often mentor junior engineers, develop automation scripts, and collaborate with other IT teams to support business operations. Their expertise is crucial for managing large-scale, mission-critical environments.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior Unix engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in scripting, system administration, and familiarity with enterprise environments can earn $200,000 or more annually. High compensation often correlates with certifications, specialized knowledge, and working in industries like finance or technology at large organizations.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Unix engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in scripting, system architecture, and certifications such as RHCE or CISSP can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise, often including bonuses and stock options.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Unix engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in system administration, and certifications such as RHCE or advanced scripting can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other benefits. These roles typically require deep expertise in Unix/Linux systems, cloud environments, and security.

What is the difference between Senior Unix Engineer vs System Administrator?

AspectSenior Unix EngineerSystem Administrator
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Unix/Linux certifications (e.g., RHCE, LPIC)Bachelor's in IT or related field, Linux/Unix certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and maintaining Unix systems, often in enterprise environmentsManaging daily system operations, troubleshooting, and user support
Industry UsageTech, finance, healthcare, and large enterprisesVaries across industries, including small to large organizations
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on advanced Unix skills and system designFocus on operational support and system maintenance

The main difference is that Senior Unix Engineers focus on designing and optimizing Unix systems, while System Administrators handle daily operations and support. Both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, but their responsibilities differ in scope and complexity.

How much do Unix engineers make?

Senior Unix engineers typically earn between $90,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require strong skills in scripting, system administration, and familiarity with Unix-based operating systems like Linux or AIX.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by Senior Unix Engineers in a large enterprise environment?

Senior Unix Engineers in large enterprises often face challenges related to managing complex, heterogeneous server environments and ensuring high availability. Balancing routine maintenance, security patching, and system upgrades with the need to minimize downtime can be demanding. Additionally, staying up to date with evolving technologies and scripting languages, while coordinating with cross-functional teams like network, storage, and application groups, requires strong communication and problem-solving skills.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Houston, TX? For Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Senior Unix Engineer jobs? Cities near Houston, TX with the most Senior Unix Engineer job openings:
Senior Unix Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Unix Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $120,858 per year, or $58.1 per hour.
Unix/Linux Team Lead

Unix/Linux Team Lead

Bickham Services Unlimited Llc

Houston, TX • On-site

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Senior Linux/Unix Systems Architect/Administrator (Cloud & Infrastructure)

Position Overview

Position: Unix/Linux Team Lead Client: HCTRA 

Location: TBD (will be in Houston but not sure of the location yet) 

Max Pay Rate: TBD Duration:

Contract to Hire:

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Linux/Unix Systems Architect/Administrator who can balance strategic architecture responsibilities with hands-on system administration. This dual role requires someone who can design enterprise-scale infrastructure solutions while also leading operations and administration for approximately 400 Linux servers in a high-stress, mission-critical environment.

The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in Linux/Unix administration, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and AWS or Azure, combined with proven project management experience. This ensures the ability to not only design and deploy solutions but also manage timelines, resources, and cross-team collaboration for successful delivery of infrastructure initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Architecture & Design
    • Architect and implement secure, scalable, and highly available Linux/Unix infrastructure solutions across OCI, AWS, or Azure.
    • Develop roadmaps for cloud adoption, hybrid integrations, and modernization projects.
    • Align infrastructure design with business continuity, performance, and compliance requirements.
  • Systems Administration & Operations
    • Lead administration, monitoring, patching, and troubleshooting for ~400 Linux servers.
    • Provide senior-level support for performance, scalability, and availability issues in a mission-critical environment.
    • Automate system provisioning, configuration, and deployment using Terraform, Ansible, or similar tools.
  • Project Management
    • Plan, lead, and deliver infrastructure projects from initiation through completion.
    • Manage resources, schedules, risks, and communications across multiple stakeholders.
    • Ensure project milestones are met and outcomes align with strategic goals.
  • Leadership & Team Management
    • Lead and mentor a team of Linux/Unix engineers and administrators.
    • Drive operational excellence and ensure effective incident response in high-pressure conditions.
    • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Cloud & Hybrid Infrastructure
    • Leverage OCI services (Compute, Storage, Networking, Identity) for enterprise workloads.
    • Compare OCI, AWS, and Azure capabilities to recommend best-fit solutions.
    • Architect and support hybrid connectivity and cloud migration strategies.
  • Security & Compliance
    • Ensure systems follow best practices for security hardening, patching, and access controls.
    • Maintain compliance with regulatory, industry, and organizational standards.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 10+ years of Linux/Unix systems administration and architecture experience.
  • Proven ability to manage large-scale Linux environments (400+ servers).
  • Expertise in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI); experience with AWS or Azure.
  • Strong background in project management for infrastructure initiatives.
  • Proficiency with automation and scripting tools (Terraform, Ansible, Python, Bash, Shell).
  • Strong knowledge of networking, virtualization, storage, and high-availability systems.
  • Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and mission-critical operations.

Preferred Qualifications

  • OCI, AWS, or Azure professional certifications.
  • Experience with Kubernetes or other container orchestration platforms.
  • Background in disaster recovery planning, clustering, and performance optimization.
  • PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.