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Senior Unix Systems Administrator Jobs in Virginia

Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer

Radford, VA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of ... Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience ...

Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer

Radford, VA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of ... Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience ...

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of ... Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience ...

Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer

Radford, VA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of ... Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience ...

Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer

Radford, VA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of ... Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience ...

Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer

Radford, VA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of ... Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Unix Systems Administrator information

See Virginia salary details

$48.6K

$101.4K

$142.3K

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

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior unix systems administrator in Virginia is $101,353.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,300.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior Unix systems administrator do?

A Senior Unix Systems Administrator is responsible for managing, configuring, and maintaining Unix-based servers and systems within an organization. They handle tasks such as system monitoring, performance tuning, software updates, security management, and troubleshooting complex issues. In addition, they often design and implement automation scripts, ensure system reliability and availability, and provide technical leadership to junior staff. Their role is critical in supporting the IT infrastructure and ensuring smooth operations of business-critical applications.

What are some common challenges faced by senior Unix systems administrators, and how can they be effectively managed?

Senior Unix Systems Administrators often encounter challenges such as maintaining system uptime during critical updates, managing complex configurations across multiple servers, and ensuring security compliance. Staying proactive by implementing robust monitoring tools and automating routine tasks can help mitigate these issues. Additionally, collaborating closely with development and security teams enables administrators to anticipate potential problems and deploy solutions efficiently. Regular training and staying updated with the latest Unix advancements are also key for managing these challenges effectively.

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

AspectSenior Unix Systems AdministratorNetwork Engineer
CertificationsUnix/Linux certifications (e.g., RHCE, Linux+)CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, enterprise ITNetwork infrastructure, routing, switching environments
Primary ResponsibilitiesManaging Unix/Linux servers, scripting, system optimizationDesigning, implementing, maintaining network systems
Industry UsageIT, finance, healthcare, governmentTelecommunications, IT, enterprise sectors

While both roles involve technical expertise in IT infrastructure, the Senior Unix Systems Administrator focuses on managing Unix/Linux servers and systems, whereas the Network Engineer specializes in designing and maintaining network infrastructure. Both roles often require similar certifications and work in enterprise environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

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

To excel as a Senior Unix Systems Administrator, you need deep expertise in Unix/Linux operating systems, scripting languages (such as Bash, Perl, or Python), and a strong background in systems architecture, typically supported by a relevant degree or certifications like RHCE. Proficiency with configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet), virtualization platforms, and monitoring solutions is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you manage complex environments and coordinate with engineering teams. These skills are essential for ensuring system reliability, security, and efficient IT operations in enterprise environments.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Unix Systems Administrator jobs in Virginia? For Senior Unix Systems Administrator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Unix Systems Administrator jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Unix Systems Administrator jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Unix Systems Administrator jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Unix Systems Administrator job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Unix Systems Administrator job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, and 55% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,353 per year, or $48.7 per hour.

Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer

Entarian

Radford, VA โ€ข On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Overview/ Job Responsibilities
Position is contingent upon contract award and funding.
Entarian is looking for a Senior UNIX/Linux System Engineer for a mixed and growing environment of Red Hat Enterprise Linux/Oracle Enterprise Linux and Solaris UNIX.
The responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Working with the existing UNIX/Linux team to manage, maintain, deploy, troubleshoot and support servers for a mixed customer environment
  • Planning, executing, and implementing new system Hardware and Software and create and maintain team technical instructions, operating procedures and policies as needed
  • Monitoring and tuning system performance, ongoing operation of the servers, hardening of the servers and reporting of the overall security and operational status
  • Recommend improvements to the enterprise and manage new SW/HW integrations when required while also providing utilization reports using existing tools to identify problems and corrective actions as needed
  • Excellent communication and team skills
  • Provide support toward the lifecycle of a mixed environment of vendor equipment in the data center to include firmware version control and periodic preventive maintenance
  • Be able to recommend, demonstrate, and implement technologies to help expand, upgrade, and increase efficiency to the current environment

Salary range: $100,000.00 - $140,000.00
Minimum Qualifications
  • Active DoD Secret Security Clearance
  • CompTIA Security+
  • Experience in Computer Science or IT
  • Computing Environment (CE) Certification (i.e., RedHat) - can be waived for 30 days after project join date
  • Minimum five years' experience as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator or IT Engineer with experience in automating assigned tasks
  • Minimum three years' experience in patch management with understanding how to apply security updates to systems via YUM and RPM
  • Minimum three years' experience working in an environment with complex networks while demonstrating experience using VLANs, troubleshooting tools such as ifconfig, netstat, ssh and telnet as well as how to harden a system using firewalld/iptables and hosts
  • Minimum three years' experience managing a large pool of local users through the use of the command line
  • Minimum three years' experience creating, maintaining, following Standard Operating Procedures for repeatable processes, disaster recovery, and common problem resolution
  • Minimum three years' experience configuring and maintaining key services such as DNS, SFTP, SMTP, and NTP
  • Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to be a team player

Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent years of experience
  • Minimum three years' experience with SELinux - understand the basic and advanced management and configuration of SELinux
  • Experience supporting Cybersecurity patch management and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG), Security Requirement Guides (SRG), RMF, Security Control Assessor-Validator (SCA-V), and Cyber Operational Readiness Assessments (CORA)
  • Experience deploying large scale HW and SW systems enhancements and/or upgrades for an organization with widely distributed geographic sites
  • Experience with current and emerging network and infrastructure management technologies and business practices

About Us
Formed through the strategic union of Sev1Tech and ERT, Entarian is a premier provider of mission-critical engineering and technology solutions. Founded on a legacy of excellence dating back to 1993, Entarian is a product of an evolved and fully diversified engineering and federal technology leader. From deep space to defense and civilian missions, Entarian delivers secure, mission-aligned digital solutions that drive national resilience and operational effectiveness. We don't just support modernization; we define it.
Join the Mission and Start your Career Journey: Apply Directly via our Careers Portal Connect, Referrals & Inquiries? Email the team: careers@entarian.com
Entarian is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.