Linux Engineer

Leidos Enterprise Civil Division in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking for talent in the Information Technology field to work as a Linux Engineer in the Lorton, Virginia area. In FY23 Leidos was awarded the Homeland Enterprise Information Technology Secure Services and Support (HEITS) follow-on contract to support and enhance the DHS networks, Homeland Secure Data Network (HSDN) and the Classified-Local Area Network (C-LAN).

Leidos is a Fortune 500 science and technology leader with a competitive benefits package, including a Roth 401k with company matching and stock driven investment options.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining a Red Hat Enterprise Linux infrastructure that will support multiple network enclaves; providing support for monthly vulnerability and compliance scanning across all enclaves; establishing new baseline systems for approved projects and providing Tier 3 support for escalated technical issues.  This role requires a deep technical understanding of the Linux Operating System, strong leadership abilities, and effective project management skills on both classified and unclassified networks. You will work closely with multiple groups, including software developers, system administrators, and various engineers, to support the missions of our DHS customers.

The right candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications and be ready to handle all responsibilities independently and professionally.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage Red Hat Satellite Server infrastructure to support efficient software management, monthly patching, provisioning, and lifecycle management of Linux systems across multiple enclaves and classification levels.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute monthly patch cycles using Red Hat Satellite Server, including patch content synchronization, repository management, errata review, patch scheduling, deployment, validation, and post-patching reporting.
• Manage Satellite Server content views, lifecycle environments, activation keys, host collections, subscriptions, repositories, and patch baselines to support enclave-specific operational and security requirements.
• Familiarity with ITIL, change management, configuration management, and incident management practices.
• Administer, maintain, and support Linux systems operating in multiple classified and unclassified environments, ensuring proper separation, compliance, and operational readiness within each enclave.
• Ensure Linux systems adhere to applicable STIG compliance standards by conducting regular assessments, audits, vulnerability reviews, and remediation activities across all supported enclaves.
• Work closely with security teams to identify vulnerabilities, security gaps, and potential risks; develop and execute remediation plans in accordance with DHS, DoD, NIST, and industry best practices, as applicable.
• Support vulnerability management activities by reviewing scan results, mapping findings to patches or configuration changes, and documenting remediation actions.
• Maintain RHEL baseline templates for OS builds. (STIG profiles, security controls, logging, auditing).
• Define monitoring standards for RHEL systems using SolarWinds and/or other tools:
• Ensure RHEL systems have defined monitoring profiles and alerting criteria for OS health metrics, Service/process checks and Log and event thresholds.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including system owners, network administrators, cybersecurity personnel, and mission stakeholders, to understand operational requirements and translate them into effective Linux, automation, and patch management solutions.
• Implement and manage patch automation strategies to ensure timely, consistent, and secure application of updates across infrastructure while minimizing downtime, operational impact, and mission disruption.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues related to RHEL administration, Red Hat Satellite Server, patch deployment, system provisioning, and compliance enforcement.
• Maintain accurate documentation of system configurations, patching procedures, enclave-specific requirements, change records, and operational processes.
• Participate in maintenance windows, change management activities, and after-action reviews related to monthly patching and system updates.
• Research and stay current with emerging technologies, best practices, and trends in Linux administration, automation, patch management, vulnerability remediation, and security compliance.
• Provide technical guidance to Tier 2 team members, fostering knowledge sharing, process improvement, and skill development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field and 12-15 years of experience. Additional education/experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Active TS/SCI government clearance and the ability to obtain DHS EOD.

• 10 or more years of extensive hands-on experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux administration, configuration, troubleshooting, hardening, and lifecycle management.
• Experience supporting Linux systems across multiple enclaves, environments, or classification levels, including classified and unclassified networks.
• Demonstrated experience administering Red Hat Satellite Server, including repository management, content views, lifecycle environments, host collections, activation keys, subscriptions, provisioning, and patch deployment.
• Strong experience planning and executing monthly patch cycles for enterprise Linux environments, including pre-patch validation, patch deployment, troubleshooting, post-patch verification, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of patch management strategies, vulnerability remediation, and enterprise change management processes for Red Hat systems.
• In-depth knowledge of STIG compliance and experience implementing, validating, and documenting Linux security controls.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in mission-critical environments.
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, secure system administration practices, and configuration management best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with technical teams, security personnel, leadership, and mission stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and support scheduled maintenance windows across multiple environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant certifications such as Red Hat Certified Engineer, Red Hat Certified System Administrator, Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Security+, or equivalent certifications.
• Experience working in federal, DHS, DoD, or other regulated enterprise environments.
• Experience with vulnerability scanning tools and remediation tracking processes.
• Familiarity with ITIL, change management, configuration management, and incident management practices.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures, patch plans, compliance documentation, and technical implementation guides.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.