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Sr Linux Administrator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... senior systems engineers (Linux, Windows, Infrastructure) to operationalize designs and ensure seamless handoff between system architecture and system administration * Mentor junior administrators ...

Sr Linux Administrator

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$103K - $155K/yr

... senior systems engineers (Linux, Windows, Infrastructure) to operationalize designs and ensure seamless handoff between system architecture and system administration * Mentor junior administrators ...

Sr Linux Administrator

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$103K - $155K/yr

... senior systems engineers (Linux, Windows, Infrastructure) to operationalize designs and ensure seamless handoff between system architecture and system administration * Mentor junior administrators ...

We are seeking a Senior Linux Systems Engineer with extensive experience managing enterprise Linux ... Deploy, administer, and maintain enterprise Linux operating systems across production and non ...

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Sr Linux Administrator information

See California salary details

$37

$52

$68

How much do sr linux administrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for sr linux administrator in California is $52.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.45 and $56.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Sr Linux administrator?

Sr Linux Administrators are experienced IT professionals responsible for managing, configuring, and maintaining Linux-based servers and systems. They ensure the stability, security, and performance of the infrastructure by performing tasks such as system updates, troubleshooting, automation scripting, and monitoring. Senior administrators also design and implement solutions for scalability and disaster recovery, mentor junior staff, and often collaborate with other teams to support organizational IT needs.

What are some common challenges Sr Linux administrators face when managing large-scale server environments?

Sr Linux Administrators often encounter challenges such as ensuring system reliability and uptime across numerous servers, managing configuration consistency, and effectively monitoring performance. They must also address security vulnerabilities promptly and automate repetitive tasks to improve efficiency. Collaborating with development, security, and network teams is essential to quickly resolve issues and implement new solutions, making strong communication skills and adaptability important for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Linux administrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sr Linux Administrator, you need deep expertise in Linux system administration, shell scripting, networking, and server security, often backed by a bachelor’s degree and several years of hands-on experience. Familiarity with configuration management tools (like Ansible or Puppet), virtualization platforms, cloud services, and certifications such as RHCE are commonly required. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure reliable system performance, efficient troubleshooting, and secure enterprise environments.

What is the difference between Sr Linux Administrator vs Linux Engineer?

AspectSr 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, securityDesign, development, automation, scripting
Industry UsageIT operations, enterprise infrastructureDevOps, cloud computing, software development

Both roles require similar certifications and often work in enterprise environments. However, Sr Linux Administrators focus more on maintaining and securing existing systems, while Linux Engineers are involved in designing and building new Linux-based solutions, often with a stronger emphasis on automation and development.

What cities in California are hiring for Sr Linux Administrator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Sr Linux Administrator job openings:

Infographic showing various Sr Linux Administrator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,494 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Sr Linux Administrator

Long Beach, CA • On-site


Relativity Space
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees

9.7

Company rating: 9.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 72 rated aerospace companies

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

About the Team: 

The IT team is responsible for the full scope of computing infrastructure, end-user systems, servers, virtualization, cloud, networking, software services, telecommunications, and information security. You'll support every function across the company, from the production floor to flight operations, enabling Relativity's world-class team to design, build, and launch rockets. The team balances near-term execution with long-term vision, developing scalable solutions and processes to enable the company's growth. The evolving complexity of our IT environment offers opportunities to stretch and sharpen problem solving and hands-on technical skills. We invest in our people, encouraging ownership, cross-training, and advancement, so our team can grow as fast and ambitiously as the company itself.

About the Role:

  • Strengthen the reliability, scalability, and performance of Relativity's critical infrastructure platforms in Long Beach, supporting Terran R manufacturing, test, and engineering operations
  • Take ownership of Linux systems administration-deploying, configuring, automating, and maintaining production systems across on-prem and cloud environments (Azure/GCP)
  • Provide advanced support for Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Enterprise Backups, ensuring uptime, data protection, and compliance (AS9100)
  • Partner closely with senior systems engineers (Linux, Windows, Infrastructure) to operationalize designs and ensure seamless handoff between system architecture and system administration
  • Mentor junior administrators, building their technical depth and operational maturity, while standardizing and automating day-to-day administration tasks

About You:

  • 6+ years of progressive Linux and Windows systems administration experience in enterprise or mission-critical environments
  • Deep expertise in Linux systems administration, including configuration management, patching, and performance tuning
  • Advanced understanding of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and enterprise backup solutions (e.g., Veeam, Commvault, Rubrik, etc.)
  • Solid grasp of networking fundamentals and experience troubleshooting at the network/system boundary
  • Proven ability to manage and monitor large environments with an emphasis on reliability, automation, and documentation
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently own issues through resolution

Nice to haves but not required:  

  • Experience with Azure, GCP, or hybrid-cloud systems administration
  • Exposure to configuration management and orchestration tools (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform, etc.)
  • Familiarity with enterprise backup compliance and retention policies
  • Scripting skills in Bash, Python, or PowerShell for automation and system health monitoring


What Relativity Space employees say

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