Senior RHEL Platform Engineer / Linux System Administrator

We are looking for an experienced Senior RHEL Platform Engineer / Linux System Administrator to support enterprise Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) platforms in a highly controlled banking environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for RHEL OS patching and hardening, golden image engineering and maintenance, automation development, system software upgrades, platform documentation, and cybersecurity vulnerability/alert assessments.

This role requires strong hands-on RHEL administration skills, experience working with production environments, and a good understanding of security hardening and infrastructure automation.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Operating System Patching and Maintenance

• Plan and execute scheduled RHEL OS patching and hardening activities.
• Support approximately 6 patching cycles per year, including activities across SIT, UAT, DR and Production environments.
• Provide system administration support during daytime, nighttime and weekend maintenance windows.
• Perform pre-patching validation, patch deployment, troubleshooting and post-patching verification.
• Conduct post-cycle gap assessments and follow up on identified issues.
• Prepare post-patching management and technical reports.
• Ensure systems remain compliant with organizational security standards and minimize major audit findings.

2. RHEL Golden Image Engineering

• Build and configure standardized RHEL golden images.
• Install and configure new operating system versions according to enterprise standards.
• Support installation and integration of infrastructure and security agents into golden images.
• Develop and maintain automation for:
• o New server provisioning
• o In-place OS upgrades (IPUG)
• o OS hardening based on CIS standards
• Maintain platform architecture and technical documentation.

3. Golden Image & Automation Maintenance

• Perform annual maintenance of golden images for supported RHEL versions.
• Support environments covering RHEL 7 (partial), RHEL 8, RHEL 9 and RHEL 10.
• Patch and harden existing OS images.
• Maintain server provisioning, in-place upgrade and OS-hardening automation.
• Review and update platform architecture documentation annually.

4. System Software Patching & Upgrades

• Perform scheduled patching and upgrades of platform/system software.
• Support NPS patching activities approximately twice annually and platform upgrades as required.
• Support VCS patching activities approximately six times annually and platform upgrades as required.
• Perform compatibility assessment, implementation, validation and troubleshooting associated with upgrades.

5. Cybersecurity Alert & Vulnerability Assessment

• Review cybersecurity alerts received from regulatory, government and internal security teams.
• Research each alert to determine:
• o Scope
• o Platform impact
• o Vulnerability exposure
• o Required remediation actions
• Match vulnerability and security-alert profiles against managed Linux platforms.
• Prepare and submit technical assessment reports to the relevant compliance/security teams.
• Track remediation actions and implement required changes in SIT and UAT environments.
• Coordinate with system administration and production teams for Production implementation.

Requirements

Required Technical Skills

• Strong hands-on experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) administration.
• Strong knowledge of RHEL 7/8/9; exposure to RHEL 10 is advantageous.
• Hands-on experience with Linux OS patching, upgrades and troubleshooting.
• Experience with RHEL in-place upgrades (IPUG).
• Strong understanding of Linux security hardening and CIS benchmarks.
• Experience building and maintaining enterprise Linux golden images.
• Experience with infrastructure/server provisioning automation.
• Strong scripting and automation skills using technologies such as Ansible, Shell/Bash and/or Python.
• Experience supporting virtualized Linux server environments.
• Understanding of vulnerability management and cybersecurity remediation.
• Experience with high-availability or clustering technologies; Veritas Cluster Server (VCS) experience is preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across OS, networking, storage, filesystem and system-service layers.
• Experience preparing architecture, operational and audit/compliance documentation.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of Linux/RHEL system administration or platform engineering experience.
• Experience supporting enterprise-scale or mission-critical environments.
• Banking or financial-services infrastructure experience is highly preferred.
• Experience working in environments with strict change-management, security and audit requirements.
• Experience supporting SIT, UAT, DR and Production environments.
• Experience executing infrastructure changes during scheduled weekend/night maintenance windows.

Certifications – Advantageous

• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
• Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation or equivalent certification

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Security- and compliance-focused mindset.
• Ability to work independently on complex Linux platform issues.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with infrastructure, cybersecurity, application, compliance and production support teams.
• Comfortable supporting planned weekend and after-hours maintenance activities.