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Unix Linux System Engineer Jobs in Potomac, MD (NOW HIRING)

GDIT

Linux Systems Engineer

Springfield, VA

$159K - $216K/yr

The Linux Systems Engineer is an active participant in SAFe and Scrum development teams and ... Standardize system configuration, patching, and deployment processes through infrastructure-as-code ...

Nightwing

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Perform operating system upgrades, patch management, lifecycle maintenance, and performance ... * 5+ years of Linux Systems Engineering experience * 3+ years of advanced Linux networking ...

Nwis

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA

Perform operating system upgrades, patch management, lifecycle maintenance, and performance ... * 5+ years of Linux Systems Engineering experience * 3+ years of advanced Linux networking ...

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All JobsUnix Linux System Engineer JobsUnix Linux System Engineer Jobs in Potomac, MD

Unix Linux System Engineer information

See Potomac, MD salary details

$10

$53

$72

How much do unix linux system engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for unix linux system engineer in Potomac, MD is $53.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.26 and $59.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common daily responsibilities for a Unix Linux System Engineer, and how do they typically collaborate with other IT teams?

On a daily basis, Unix Linux System Engineers are responsible for monitoring system performance, managing server configurations, applying security patches, and troubleshooting any system-related issues. They often collaborate closely with network administrators, database administrators, and application developers to ensure that all systems are running efficiently and securely. Effective communication and documentation are key, as system changes or incidents usually require coordination across multiple IT teams to minimize downtime and maintain service continuity.

What are Unix Linux System Engineers?

Unix Linux System Engineers are IT professionals responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and troubleshooting Unix and Linux-based operating systems and servers. They ensure systems are running efficiently, securely, and are regularly updated. Their duties often include system monitoring, performance tuning, automation with scripts, backup management, and supporting users or other IT staff. They play a critical role in maintaining the backbone of many enterprise IT infrastructures.

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

AspectUnix Linux System EngineerNetwork Administrator
CertificationsLinux+, RHCE, CompTIA Server+CCNA, Network+
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, cloud environmentsOffice networks, enterprise LAN/WAN
ResponsibilitiesServer setup, scripting, system optimizationNetwork configuration, troubleshooting, security
Industry UsageIT, cloud services, hosting providersCorporate, telecommunications, education

The Unix Linux System Engineer primarily focuses on managing and optimizing Unix/Linux servers and systems, while the Network Administrator handles network infrastructure and connectivity. Both roles require technical certifications and work in IT environments, but their core responsibilities differ—system engineering versus network management.

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

To thrive as a Unix/Linux System Engineer, you need strong expertise in Unix/Linux operating systems, scripting (such as Bash or Python), networking fundamentals, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet, virtualization platforms, and certifications such as Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) are highly valuable. Analytical problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication help you excel in diagnosing issues and collaborating with teams. These skills are essential for maintaining system reliability, optimizing performance, and ensuring secure, uninterrupted IT operations.
What are popular job titles related to Unix Linux System Engineer jobs in Potomac, MD? For Unix Linux System Engineer jobs in Potomac, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Unix Linux System Engineer jobs in Potomac, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Unix Linux System Engineer jobs in Potomac, MD are:
Unix Linux System Engineer jobs near you

Senior Linux System Administrator

Black Canyon Consulting

Bethesda, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Overview
Black Canyon Consulting (BCC) is actively looking for Senior Linux System Administrator to support our work for the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM), an institute of the National Institutes of Health. This opportunity is full time and onsite at the NIH-NCBI in Bethesda, MD and/or remote work.
NCBI is part of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NCBI is the world's premier biomedical center hosting over six million daily users that seek research, clinical, genetic, and other information that directly impacts biomedical research and public health - at NCBI you can literally help to accelerate cures for diseases! NCBI's wide range of applications, platforms (node, python, Django, C++, you name it) and environments (big data [petabytes], machine learning, multiple clouds) serve more users than almost any other US Government Agency according to https://analytics.usa.gov/.
We attract the best people in the business with our competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k plan with employer contribution, paid holidays, vacation, and tuition reimbursement. If you enjoy being a part of a high performing, professional service and technology focused organization, please apply today!
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Develop and document standard operating procedures for a wide range of tasks, such as systems provisioning, installation, upgrading, and migration; host and service monitoring; configuration management; problem troubleshooting; and other aspect of systems administration.
  • Manage and configure services, software, and hardware configurations.
  • Take direction from the team lead and work independently within a team-environment.
  • Mentor junior team members.
  • Learn new technologies and skills.
  • Develop and maintain custom tools in Python, Perl, Ruby, and Bash to automate managing the UNIX infrastructure.
  • Use Puppet to maintain thousands of physical and virtual Linux CentOS systems and associated applications.
  • Develop policies and procedures for standard systems administration tasks (packaging, OS installs, patch management).
  • Build open-source software from source code.
  • Document procedures, systems, services, and software. Provide ad-hoc training where appropriate.
  • Provide UNIX support to NCBI's internal developers and researchers.
  • Provide technical solutions to a wide range of problems and user requests through an established trouble ticketing system.
  • Troubleshoot, research, design, and implement solutions to complex systems problems while accounting for technical limits, overall cost, and security policies.
  • Assist with planning and implementation of major OS upgrade, deployments, and architectural changes.

Requirements:
  • Willingness to learn new technologies and skills.
  • Demonstrate significant experience in Linux Systems Administration (7+ years).
  • Comfortable with Unix command line tools.
  • Highly versed in Linux administration and best practices.
  • Fluent in programming/scripting skills for automation in at least two of Bash, Ruby, Python, and Perl. (Other languages also helpful, but not required.)
  • General understanding of Linux internals (system calls, file systems, processes, etc).
  • General understanding of TCP/IP and related protocols (HTTP, FTP, NFS, etc...)
  • Comfortable working with users of varying levels of IT knowledge.
  • Experience with building open-source software from source code.
  • Able to work with minimum supervision on assigned tasks, and work with others both within and outside of the team.
  • Strong communication skills, especially with regards to documentation.

Bonus Points (not required!):
  • Experience in a complex, dynamic, production, public-facing Linux environment.
  • Experience with OpenShift, Kubernetes, GKE, or similar technologies.
  • Knowledge of cloud technology such as AWS and GCP.
  • Experience with automated configuration management, such as Puppet (preferred), Ansible, Chef, bcfg2, CFEngine, etc.
  • Experience with version control. (Git is preferred, but not required.)
  • Experience supporting large web application environments and development.
  • Experience with enterprise network architectures.
  • Experience with monitoring, alerting, and observability tools.

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