Linux Systems & DevOps Engineer

Linux Systems & DevOps Engineer 

Schedule: Full-time; workday must begin between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time
Customer Environment: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Background Requirement: Must be able to complete the background investigation and suitability requirements for a U.S. Government Public Trust position and obtain and maintain required Government credentials, including a PIV card.

Position Overview
Nationwide IT Services, NIS, is seeking a hands-on Linux Systems & DevOps Engineer to support infrastructure and software operations for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system. This is a remote opportunity; however, the person must reside in the United States.

This is a broad technical role centered on Linux systems administration and Ansible Automation, with hands-on responsibilities across networking, monitoring, security, scripting, databases, and software operations. The environment supports real-time seismic monitoring and data processing across distributed systems, so we are looking for someone with solid technical fundamentals who understands how different parts of an IT environment work together.

Hands-on Linux systems administration and Ansible experience are core requirements for this position. The successful candidate should also be comfortable configuring and troubleshooting network infrastructure, working with databases, writing or modifying scripts, monitoring systems and services, and supporting the security and operation of Linux-based systems.

You do not need to be a senior specialist in every technology used by the environment. We are looking for a well-rounded engineer with strong Linux and Ansible skills who can work across technical areas and continue learning as the environment evolves.

What You Will Do

• Install, configure, administer, patch, secure, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux systems supporting mission-critical scientific operations.
• Use Ansible to configure systems, automate routine administration, maintain standardized configurations, and support infrastructure operations.
• Configure and troubleshoot switches, routers, firewalls, firewall rules, routing, network connectivity, and related infrastructure.
• Support LAN/WAN and telemetry-connected systems used to deliver real-time monitoring data to processing environments.
• Monitor servers, services, processes, network connectivity, resource utilization, and other operational health indicators; investigate alerts and create or modify monitoring checks as needed.
• Develop and maintain basic scripts and automation to support administration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and routine operations.
• Install, configure, operate, and maintain software packages and supporting services.
• Work with relational databases, including installation/configuration, connectivity, synchronization, basic administration, SQL queries, and operational troubleshooting.
• Support Linux security and hardening activities, including patching, access controls, host firewalls, vulnerability remediation, and compliance-related changes.
• Support security assessments and Assessment and Authorization (A&A) activities by providing technical information and evidence and remediating system findings as needed.
• Use Git/GitLab and support software deployment, configuration, and operational workflows.
• Support messaging and publish/subscribe infrastructure used by applications and distributed systems.
• Document system, software, network, and configuration changes and maintain operational documentation.
• Collaborate with USGS personnel, university partners, developers, network engineers, scientists, and other technical staff to maintain and improve system reliability.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on Linux systems administration experience in production or operational environments.
• Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Rocky Linux, or comparable enterprise Linux systems.
• Hands-on experience using Ansible to configure and automate Linux systems.
• Ability to install, configure, patch, secure, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux servers and services.
• Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewall rules, routing, and network connectivity.
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP, subnetting, DNS, ports and protocols, routing, switching, LAN/WAN concepts, and firewalls.
• Basic scripting and automation experience using Bash, Python, Ruby, or another scripting/programming language.
• Ability to read and understand existing scripts or application code sufficiently to support troubleshooting and operational activities.
• Experience using monitoring and logging information to understand system health, investigate problems, and determine when additional monitoring is needed.
• Practical database experience, including connecting to relational databases, understanding and using SQL queries, and performing basic database configuration and operational troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with database synchronization/replication concepts and the ability to recognize and investigate basic database-related issues.
• Working knowledge of Linux security and hardening, including patching, permissions/access controls, host firewalls, vulnerability remediation, and secure system configuration.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues across systems, networks, software, and supporting infrastructure.
• Familiarity with source control such as Git.
• Ability to document technical work and communicate effectively with team members across multiple technical disciplines.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must reside and perform work within the United States.
• Must be able to complete Government Public Trust suitability requirements and obtain and maintain required Government credentials, including a PIV card.

Experience
Approximately 3 or more years of relevant hands-on experience is preferred in Linux systems administration, infrastructure operations, DevOps, systems/network administration, technical operations, or a related role.

Candidates with fewer years of experience who can demonstrate strong Linux and Ansible skills, practical networking experience, scripting and automation ability, security and monitoring fundamentals, and the ability to independently administer and troubleshoot technical systems will also be considered.

Highly Desirable Experience
The following experience would be valuable but is not required. We are more interested in strong technical fundamentals and demonstrated ability than in matching every technology in the environment.

• AWS infrastructure and services.
• AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) and infrastructure-as-code.
• Go (Golang), particularly in conjunction with AWS/CDK or infrastructure tooling.
• Nagios/Icinga, including creating or modifying monitoring checks.
• Prometheus and Grafana or comparable monitoring platforms.
• ActiveMQ, NATS, or other message brokers and publish/subscribe technologies.
• PostgreSQL and additional relational database administration experience.
• C or C++ and familiarity with systems-level programming concepts.
• Additional Python, Bash, or other scripting/programming experience.
• Cisco ASA or comparable firewall administration.
• SELinux and Linux host firewall configuration.
• Experience supporting Federal Assessment and Authorization (A&A), security assessments, compliance reviews, or audits, including gathering technical evidence and remediating resulting findings.
• NIST security controls, DISA STIGs, vulnerability-management processes, or experience supporting Federal or other regulated environments.
• CI/CD pipelines, GitLab, RPM packaging, and software deployment processes.
• Virtualization and virtual-machine administration.
• Experience supporting distributed, highly available, real-time, telemetry, scientific, or data-acquisition environments.

The Kind of Engineer Who Will Do Well Here
This role is a good fit for someone with broad technical interests who enjoys working across systems rather than staying inside a single technology silo.

You should already be comfortable administering Linux systems and using Ansible in a hands-on environment. You should also be able to configure and troubleshoot network devices and firewall rules, write or modify scripts, work with a database and SQL, investigate monitoring alerts, and understand the security implications of the systems you administer.

You do not need to be a senior network architect, software developer, DBA, security engineer, and cloud architect all at once. What matters is having strong Linux and automation fundamentals, practical experience across the surrounding technologies, and the ability to recognize where a problem is occurring and work effectively with specialists when deeper expertise is needed.
The environment is continuing to evolve, including increased use of AWS, AWS CDK, and modern messaging technologies. Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to learn new tools while maintaining reliable production systems will be important to long-term success in the role.

Why Join Nationwide IT Services?
Nationwide IT Services is a trusted government contractor supporting Department of Defense customers. Join us to work on high-impact cybersecurity missions with experienced professionals in a collaborative, growth-focused environment.

Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer match; paid holidays; PTO (sick/vacation); commuter benefits; an employee assistance program (EAP); educational reimbursement; and Pet Insurance.

Salary range $100,000 to $130,000 annually 
The salary range is a general guideline. We consider several factors when determining base salary offers, including the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's experience, education, and skills, and current market conditions.