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Senior Unix System Administrator Jobs in California

PM2CM

Senior System Administrator

Monterey Park, CA · On-site

$90K - $122K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Systems Administrator supports the Capital Improvement Program by serving as the primary administrator and advocate for the Project Management Information System (PMIS ...

PM2CM

Senior System Administrator

Monterey Park, CA · On-site

$88K - $119K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Systems Administrator supports the Capital Improvement Program by serving as the primary administrator and advocate for the Project Management Information System (PMIS ...

PM2CM

Senior System Administrator

Monterey Park, CA · On-site

$88K - $119K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Systems Administrator supports the Capital Improvement Program by serving as the primary administrator and advocate for the Project Management Information System (PMIS ...

Kros-Wise

System Administrator

San Diego, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

You'll work closely with senior administrators and cybersecurity personnel to ensure system availability, security posture, and performance in support of Fleet operations and depot modernization ...

Kros-Wise

System Administrator

San Diego, CA · On-site

You'll work closely with senior administrators and cybersecurity personnel to ensure system availability, security posture, and performance in support of Fleet operations and depot modernization ...

Penhall

Senior System Administrator

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$90K - $122K/yr

Position Description The Senior Systems Administrator will serve as a critical member of Penhall's IT team, responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company's IT infrastructure, both on-premises ...

Kros-Wise

System Administrator

San Diego, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

You'll work closely with senior administrators and cybersecurity personnel to ensure system availability, security posture, and performance in support of Fleet operations and depot modernization ...

Stanislaus Foods

System Administrator

Modesto, CA · On-site

$95K - $120K/yr

Senior Infrastructure Manager Department: Information Technology Classification: Full-time, Exempt Pay: $95,000-$120,000 annually Stanislaus Mission To attract quality-oriented restaurateurs with ...

Corto Olive Co.

System Administrator

Modesto, CA · On-site

$95K - $120K/yr

Senior Infrastructure Manager Department: Information Technology Classification: Full-time, Exempt Pay: $95,000-$120,000 annually Stanislaus Mission To attract quality-oriented restaurateurs with ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsUnix System Administrator JobsSenior Unix System Administrator JobsSenior Unix System Administrator Jobs in California

Senior Unix System Administrator information

See California salary details

$48.4K

$100.9K

$141.6K

How much do senior unix system administrator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior unix system administrator in California is $100,891.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,900.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior Unix system administrator?

Senior Unix System Administrators are experienced IT professionals who manage, maintain, and troubleshoot Unix or Linux-based server systems within an organization. They are responsible for ensuring system reliability, security, and performance by configuring servers, applying updates, monitoring system health, and responding to incidents. In addition to technical duties, they may also mentor junior admins, design system architecture, and implement automation tools to streamline operations. Their expertise is essential for organizations that rely on Unix or Linux servers for critical applications and data management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior Unix system administrator?

To thrive as a Senior Unix System Administrator, you need deep expertise in Unix/Linux operating systems, scripting languages (such as Bash, Python, or Perl), and a strong understanding of networking and security principles, usually backed by relevant certifications or degrees. Familiarity with configuration management tools (like Ansible or Puppet), virtualization platforms, and monitoring systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills help you manage complex issues and mentor junior staff. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining system reliability, optimizing performance, and ensuring secure, efficient IT operations.

What are some common challenges senior Unix system administrators face when managing large-scale, multi-user environments?

Senior Unix System Administrators often deal with challenges such as maintaining system uptime across multiple servers, ensuring security compliance, and managing complex patching schedules in environments with numerous users. Balancing proactive monitoring with rapid incident response is crucial, as is collaborating with developers, network engineers, and support staff to troubleshoot issues efficiently. Additionally, adapting to evolving technologies and automating repetitive tasks are key to maintaining system performance and reliability.

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

AspectSenior Unix System AdministratorLinux Systems Engineer
CertificationsUnix/Linux certifications (e.g., LPIC, RHCE)Linux certifications (e.g., RHCE, CompTIA Linux+)
Work EnvironmentUnix servers, enterprise data centersLinux servers, cloud environments
Industry UsageFinancial, telecom, large enterprisesTech companies, startups, cloud providers
Job FocusSystem maintenance, troubleshooting, scriptingDeployment, automation, infrastructure design

Both roles require Linux/Unix knowledge and certifications, but Senior Unix System Administrators focus more on maintaining enterprise Unix systems, while Linux Systems Engineers often work on deploying and automating Linux environments, especially in cloud and development settings.

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Unix System Administrator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Unix System Administrator job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Unix System Administrator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,891 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

Senior System Administrator

FoxConn Assembly, LLC

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Foxconn Industrial Internet is seeking a Senior System Administrator to manage and maintain their IT infrastructure. The role involves performing server administration tasks, monitoring VMware datacenter health, conducting security assessments, and providing technical support to ensure system integrity and security.
Responsibilities:
• Perform server administration tasks, including user/group administration, security permissions, group policies, print services, research event log warnings and errors, and resource monitoring to ensure seamless integration of system architecture components.
• Monitor VMware datacenter health using pre-existing management tools, respond to hardware issues, and assist in building, testing, and maintaining new servers as necessary.
• Maintain internal infrastructure, including servers, printers, security updates, antivirus, and patch management console.
• Conduct vulnerability scans and penetration tests to assess system security.
• Serve as level 2 support, collaborating with IT Admin and other teams to troubleshoot, identify root causes, and provide technical support when required.
• Perform routine/scheduled audits of systems, including verifying backups.
• Represent the IT department during audits such as ISO 27001 or others as applicable
• Microsoft 365 management, integrate the on-prem DC to the cloud.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years of experience in IT and System Administration management.
• Expertise in VMware ESXi 7+, Proxmox, or Hyper-V (advanced to expert level).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Server 2016+ (advanced to expert level).
• Strong knowledge of Rocky Linux Server (advanced to expert level).
• Skilled in troubleshooting hardware, software, and user issues.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Experience with storage area network devices.
• Cybersecurity-oriented mindset to prevent denial of service attacks and ensure robust system protection.
• Microsoft 365 administration (Expert is a must).
• Associate or Bachelor's degree in an IT-related field.
Preferred:
• Preferred experience in cabling and infrastructure setup.
• Any IT infrastructure certifications are a plus (e.g., CompTIA, VMware, Microsoft, Cisco, etc.).
Company:
Foxconn II is part of Foxconn established in Taiwan in 1974, the world’s largest electronics manufacturer company. Founded in 1974, the company is headquartered in , , with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently .

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