Linux Engineer

About The Opportunity

We are looking for a highly skilled Linux Systems Engineer to join a premier global proprietary trading firm. In this role, you will engineer and optimize large-scale Linux infrastructure that powers both ultra‑low‑latency financial systems and high‑throughput research environments. This is a chance to manage a massive global footprint of over 10,000 bare‑metal systems where automation, performance tuning, and technical initiative are the primary drivers of success.

Chicago, IL (Hybrid/On‑site)

• Infrastructure Engineering:
  Lead the provisioning, configuration, and performance tuning of a global, large‑scale Linux fleet to ensure maximum reliability and speed.
• Automation & Tooling:
  Design and maintain sophisticated internal tools using Python and Bash to streamline the management of thousands of bare‑metal servers.
• Configuration Management:
  Develop and refine codebase for system configurations, ensuring consistency across diverse workloads including Kubernetes‑based applications and high‑frequency trading platforms.
• Fleet Visibility:
  Enhance system telemetry by extending monitoring, logging, and alerting frameworks to provide deep visibility into Linux performance metrics.
• Systems Troubleshooting:
  Diagnose and resolve complex kernel and network‑level issues within a mission‑critical enterprise environment.
• Collaborative Development:
  Engage in a rigorous technical environment through code reviews, merge requests, and cross‑functional architectural discussions.

• Expert Linux Administration:
  Extensive experience engineering and managing Linux distributions at scale, specifically on bare‑metal hardware.
• Python Development:
  Strong proficiency in Python for automation, API design, and systems debugging.
• Configuration Management:
  Advanced experience using enterprise‑grade configuration tools (e.g., Puppet/Hiera or equivalent) to manage large server fleets.
• Automation Frameworks:
  Proven ability to author complex playbooks and automate tasks using Ansible.
• Systems & Network Diagnostics:
  Deep knowledge of low‑level troubleshooting tools such as EBPF, tcpdump, strace, and systemd.
• Build & Deploy:
  Solid experience with CI/CD pipelines, Git version control, and RPM package management/repository administration.
• Network Fundamentals:
  Strong understanding of TCP/UDP, Multicast, DNS, and routing protocols.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience).

• Containerization:
  Experience building Docker images and working within Kubernetes environments.
• Observability:
  Familiarity with Prometheus, Grafana, and Alert Manager, particularly in developing custom exporters for Linux telemetry.
• High‑Stakes Environments:
  Previous experience in fintech, high‑frequency trading, or large‑scale research environments.

• Base Salary: $150,000 – $225,000 USD
• Total Rewards:
  This role is eligible for a discretionary performance bonus and a comprehensive benefits package including premium health insurance and paid leave.