Unix System Engineer

We are seeking an experienced and motivated  Unix System Engineer  to manage, maintain, and enhance our Unix infrastructure across the Paragon Hosting estate. This role is critical to ensuring the reliability, performance, and security of our Unix platforms spanning on-premises, private, and public cloud environments in the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg, and India.

You will be part of a high-performing engineering team responsible for Unix server operations, service improvements, and automation. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical expertise with proactive problem-solving and collaboration skills to help shape our long-term infrastructure strategy.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities
System Administration & Support
Install, configure, and maintain AIX and Linux systems (Red Hat, Oracle Linux, AIX, CentOS) across on-premises VMware infrastructure and multi-cloud environments including Azure, AWS, and OCI.
Provide second-line operational support for Unix-based platforms, ensuring high availability, service stability, and optimal performance, including management of internal Linux networking and Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Troubleshoot and resolve incidents, following established ITIL-based change and incident management processes.
Perform system patching, upgrades, and maintenance in line with security policies and compliance standards.
Provide Unix support for internal and external client projects, including reviewing and validating technical documentation.

Compliance & Security
Maintain compliance with internal, external, and client accreditation requirements.
Conduct regular hardware, software, and access control audits, implementing remediation actions as needed.
Ensure data integrity, backup, and disaster recovery readiness across all Unix environments.
Ensure all relevant security tools are deployed and working across the Unix-based platforms

Automation & Continuous Improvement
Implement automation solutions to streamline operations and reduce manual workloads.
Identify and deliver opportunities for continuous service and performance improvement.
Maintain accurate documentation and update the Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
Proficient in creating and maintaining Shell scripts for automation, system administration, and process optimisation
Skilled in identifying root causes and resolving undocumented faults, minimising system downtime and ensuring service continuity.

Collaboration & On-Call
Collaborate with IT teams, business units, and external vendors to ensure cohesive infrastructure operations.
Work closely with other IT teams, business units, and third-party vendors to ensure cohesive infrastructure operations.
Participate in an on-call rota and provide out-of-hours support when required.
Travel occasionally to Paragon or client sites as needed.

Essential Skills and Experience
Proven experience administering and supporting AIX and Linux (Red Hat, Oracle) operating systems.
Strong understanding of x86 and IBM P-Series architectures.
Strong experience in Oracle Linux Operating System including knowledge in Ksplice skills.
Working knowledge of Storage technologies, virtualization, and hybrid cloud infrastructure.

Experience of working with a team of IT engineers and infrastructure across a multi-site environment
Hands-on experience with service management tools such as Service Now and Jira.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
Good organisational skills, the ability to handle a variety of tasks and priorities.
Strong scripting skills (e.g. Bash, Python, Power Shell) for automation and integration.
Excellent communication skills.
Experience working in ITIL-governed operational environments.

Desirable

Skills and Qualifications
Professional certifications such as Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) or CompTIA Linux+.

Experience with automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef).
Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or OCI Cloud.
Familiarity with security frameworks, access control models, and infrastructure architecture.
Solid background in Infrastructure administration and architecture.
Strong troubleshooting skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Knowledge of Prince2 or similar project management methodologies.