Linux Systems Administrator (RHEL)
Peraton
Chantilly, VA · Posted August 31, 2026
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About the job
Peraton Overview
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Responsibilities
Peraton is hiring a Senior RHEL System Administrator to manage and administer Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems and infrastructure within a dedicated production network. This is a hands-on role focused on developing and deploying repeatable processes, automation tools, and infrastructure to enhance system reliability, security, and scalability. As part of our classified Operational Support Network team, you will operate in an Agile environment, supporting a mission-critical program while collaborating with various stakeholders. Your expertise will directly contribute to delivering innovative solutions, optimizing system performance, and ensuring operational success.
Responsibilities:
Perform ongoing maintenance, support, and enhancements to RHEL production systems, ensuring compliance with security authorizations
Analyze existing RHEL system architecture and work with cross-functional teams to improve reliability, availability, monitoring, and automation
Partner with engineering teams to enhance RHEL platform stability and simplify architectural complexity
Automate RHEL system administration tasks using Ansible playbooks to improve efficiency and reduce manual intervention
Manage RHEL patch management and security updates through Red Hat Satellite and Ansible
Oversee and optimize RHEL systems, ensuring high availability, performance, and scalability
Conduct daily RHEL system monitoring and perform monthly patching as part of the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) team
Mentor mid-level and junior system administrators, providing guidance and support while effectively managing RHEL-related tasks with minimal supervision
Maintain a weekly schedule within core business hours (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday) while ensuring RHEL workload completion beyond this timeframe
Manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operating systems, including configuration management, performance tuning, software installations, system hardening, security compliance, and storage allocation
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
This position requires the candidate to possess a minimum of Top-Secret clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI. The candidate must maintain the clearance.
Associates degree and 10+ years of experience in a related field; or bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of experience in a related field; or a master’s degree and 6+ years of experience in a related field. Four (4) years of relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree
Meet DoD 8140 foundational requirements for a System Administrator at an intermediate proficiency level or above
Expertise in RHEL 8.X and later versions, including system administration, performance tuning, and troubleshooting
Proficiency with RHEL Satellite Server and Ansible, leveraging these tools for configuration management, automation, and system orchestration
Advanced technical knowledge to collaborate with support and engineering teams in managing Linux-based cloud, on-premises, and lab environments, ensuring optimal system performance and reliability, particularly within RHEL-based infrastructures
Experience validating health, status, operations, and maintenance of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems within an enterprise environment, ensuring system stability, security, and performance
Extensive experience in secure system sustainment, monitoring, backup, recovery, and testing updates for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems in an enterprise environment, ensuring system integrity and availability
Extensive technical expertise in Linux/RHEL configurations, Git, OS upgrades, and implementation of application updates/upgrades
Strong, firsthand technical expertise in various Linux and RHEL configurations, deployment, and continuous integration technologies, with a proven ability to design and implement robust solutions that evolve alongside new development and meet the needs of end users.
Knowledge of Red Hat Identity Management, or other equivalent identify management applications
Demonstrated experience mentoring junior – mid-level Systems Administrators
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with Atlassian Data Center products (I.e. Jira Service Management, Jira Software, and Confluence)
Experience or knowledge of Sentris, or other similar attribute-based security classification services, deployments in an enterprise environment.
Knowledge of deploying host instances in Red Hat OpenStack Platform, or equivalent cloud-based application
Benefits:
Peraton offers enhanced benefits to employees working on this critical National Security program, which include heavily subsidized employee benefits coverage for you and your dependents, 25 days of PTO accrued annually up to a generous PTO cap and eligible to participate in an attractive bonus plan
#Metroplex
Target Salary Range $135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
Benefits Statement
Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.
Application Statements The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.
EEO EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.