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Senior Unix Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Gridpoint

Senior Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

M.S. Computer Science highly preferred • Minimum 8 years of professional experience in progressively more senior software engineering roles • Minimum 8 years of experience with Unix internals;

GridPoint

Senior Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer will implement solutions for complex software products and features ... of experience with Unix internals; Java or .NET; XML/JSON; Oracle, Postgres or SQL Server ...

Nightwing

Senior Cyber Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

They are seeking a Senior Cyber Engineer to join their CODEX division, where the engineer will ... C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems • Familiarity with static ...

Nightwing

Senior Cyber Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

They are seeking a Senior Cyber Engineer to join their CODEX division, where the role involves ... C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems • Familiarity with static ...

ECS

Sr. Elastic Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

ECS is seeking a Sr. Elastic Engineer to work in our Reston, VA office. Please Note: This position ... Strong Linux/Unix, networking, and cloud platform knowledge (AWS, Azure, GCP). * Ability to mentor ...

ECS

Sr. Elastic Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$180K - $205K/yr

ECS is seeking a Sr. Elastic Engineer to work in our Ft. Meade, MD OR Quantico, VA office. Please ... Strong Linux/Unix, networking, and cloud platform knowledge (AWS, Azure, GCP). * Ability to mentor ...

ECS

Sr. Elastic Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$170K - $205K/yr

ECS is seeking a Sr. Elastic Engineer to work in our Ft. Meade, MD office. Please Note: This ... Strong Linux/Unix, networking, and cloud platform knowledge (AWS, Azure, GCP). * Ability to mentor ...

ECS

Sr. Elastic Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$205K - $240K/yr

ECS is seeking a Sr. Elastic Engineer to work in our Springfield, VA office. Please Note: This ... Strong Linux/Unix, networking, and cloud platform knowledge (AWS, Azure, GCP). * Ability to mentor ...

Nightwing

Senior Software Engineer, hyperscale

Sterling, VA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

They are seeking a senior software engineer to design and implement innovative solutions for large ... Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems • Passion for software computational ...

MANTECH

Senior CNO Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

MANTECH seeks a highly technical and mission-focused Senior CNO Software Engineer to join our team ... Experience with low-level system internals across one or more platforms (e.g., Windows, Unix ...

MANTECH

Senior CNO Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

MANTECH seeks a highly technical and mission-focused Senior CNO Software Engineer to join our team ... Experience with low-level system internals across one or more platforms (e.g., Windows, Unix ...

MANTECH

Senior CNO Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

MANTECH seeks a highly technical and mission-focused Senior CNO Software Engineer to join our team ... Experience with low-level system internals across one or more platforms (e.g., Windows, Unix ...

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All JobsUnix Engineer JobsSenior Unix Engineer JobsSenior Unix Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Senior Unix Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$67.4K

$143.3K

$207.8K

How much do senior unix engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior unix engineer in Washington, DC is $143,338.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $162,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior Unix engineer?

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 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 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.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Senior Unix Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Unix Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,338 per year, or $68.9 per hour.

Senior Principal Cyber Software Engineer (iOS)

Nightwing

Sterling, VA • On-site

$124K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Job Summary:
Nightwing is a company that provides advanced cyber, data operations, and intelligence support services. They are seeking a Senior Principal Cyber Software Engineer (iOS) to join their CODEX division, focusing on developing high-impact native applications for mobile devices while integrating reverse engineering results into development products.
Responsibilities:
• solve real-time cyber challenges
• work on site with end users
• build high impact native applications for mobile devices
• integrate reverse engineering results into development products
• expand knowledge of the mobile platform to meet development objectives and customer requirements
Qualifications:
Required:
• Current TS/SCI clearance is required
• At least 10 years of experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms
• Experience developing on iOS
• Experience with objective C
• Experience with core Unix features, including Named Pipes / Pipes, pThreads, Signal Handlers
• Familiarity with static decompilers (e.g HexRays) & disassemblers (e.g. Ghidra)
• Requires a degree in a technical discipline
Preferred:
• Experience developing in iOS kernel space
• Experience with the ARM64/ARM32 Architecture or other similar platform
• Experience with Core Foundation framework
• Experience using virtualization technologies (e.g., Corellium)
• Experience using Docker
• Familiarity with Atlassian products (Bitbucket, Bamboo, JIRA, etc.)
• Familiarity with version control software such as git
• Developing proof-of-concept exploit software
Company:
Nightwing provides cyber, data operations, systems integration, and intelligence services for government and commercial customers. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in Sterling, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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