Senior Linux System Administrator

Location: NAS Patuxent River, MD

Security Clearance Requirement: Active Top Secret

Telework Eligible? No

As the Senior Linux System Administrator, you will be responsible for ensuring secure configurations, producing accreditation artifacts, and maintaining hardened baselines — all with a focus on reliability and long-term system assurance. The ideal candidate is not only technically strong, but also thoughtful, process-oriented, and one who takes a careful, methodical approach to systems management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring secure and compliant Linux operating system configurations by applying Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) to prevent misconfiguration and audit issues.
• Managing vulnerability assessments with Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) and EvaluateSTIG, producing accreditation artifacts to maintain Authorization to Operate (ATO) compliance and demonstrate security assurance.
• Maintaining and securing VMware ESXi hypervisors, including patching and hardening host systems to ensure platform reliability.
• Automating all routine administrative tasks — including provisioning, configuration management, patching, compliance checks, and reporting — using Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, improving consistency and reducing manual error.
• Applying Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) updates on a monthly basis to maintain a secure, up-to-date environment.
• Refining processes to align with policy, reduce overhead, and collaborating with DevOps and security teams to support modern automation practices.
• Releasing RHEL hardened system templates on a quarterly basis with required documentation and ATO submission, ensuring standardized and compliant deployments.
• Monitoring Linux and ESXi environments for performance, availability, and security issues to sustain system health and resilience.
• Supporting Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance (FISMA, NIST 800-53, DoD SRG), ensuring alignment with policy and accreditation requirements.
• Maintaining accurate technical documentation in Confluence and using Jira Software for task tracking, ensuring procedural clarity and reducing knowledge gaps.
• Operating and maintaining SolarWinds monitoring and auditing tools to proactively detect anomalies and maintain system integrity.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Well-funded program: You'll have the resources and support needed to do your job well, without constant budget roadblocks.
• Collaborative team: Join an infrastructure group that values professionalism, teamwork, and shared success.
• Opportunity to grow: Help refine processes and strengthen modern practices like CI/CD, making a long-term impact on how the team operates.
• Challenging, meaningful work: Support systems where stability, security, and compliance are mission-critical — work that matters.
• Room for mastery: From Linux and ESXi hardening to automation with Ansible, you'll have the chance to deepen your skills in high-value technical areas.

The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or related IA/CS field from an ABET-accredited institution; in lieu of degree, and additional 3 years of IT experience on DoD classified networks is required. 
• 7 years of related System Administration experience is required; 10+ years with no bachelor's degree.
• Must have a deep level of knowledge and experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
• Demonstrated experience with Confluence and Jira.
• Familiarity with SolarWinds monitoring and auditing tools. 
• Familiarity with the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. 

Equally Important:

• You are able to establish and maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers.
• You possess professional and effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• You take a proactive approach to your work and you're able to accomplish tasks with limited guidance and supervision.
• You have demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Your organizational skills allow you to manage competing priorities.

ASEC is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws.

 Required Certifications: 

• Candidates must hold a current IAT-II certification (e.g., Security +, CCNA Security, CySA+) as defined by DoD M. Candidates must also have a current Operating System certification (e.g., Windows Server, Linux+, Red Hat Certified System Administrator, etc.). Please upload copies of any relevant IT certifications as part of your application. These documents help us verify qualifications during the initial screening process. 

Security Clearance Requirement:

• This position requires U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Top Secret clearance. Selected candidate will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Salary Range:

• The estimated salary range for this position will be $130,000 - $150,000 annually, based on an individual's level of experience and skill set. It is our goal at ASEC to provide equitable compensation to all employees.

Who We Are:

ASEC offers meaningful work and a culture that supports your professional and personal growth. We are a 100% employee-owned business focused on providing value and innovation in the areas of engineering, information technology, training, and logistics. We believe in doing what is right for the Warfighter, plain and simple. We encourage you to explore what makes us different, visit our website now

Why work at ASEC?

• 100% employee-owned. Learn more about our ESOP plan here
• Comprehensive benefits package (11 paid holidays, medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA/FSA, disability insurance, and more)
• 401K match
• Tuition assistance (undergraduate and graduate)
• Veteran friendly
• Thriving employee culture
• Employee discount program

We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote the most qualified persons for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other status protected by law. ASEC will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they choose to inquire about, discuss, or disclose their own compensation or the compensation of another employee or applicant.