Senior Linux Engineer; Classified Environment

Senior Linux Engineer (Classified Environment)

The Field Intelligence Operations Division (FIOD) of the National Security Directorate (NSSD) is seeking a highly skilled, cutting-edge Senior Linux Engineer to lead the design, evolution, and modernization of secure computing environments supporting some of the nation’s most consequential national security, intelligence, and scientific missions.

This is more than a traditional Linux engineering role. You will operate at the intersection of advanced Linux architecture, cybersecurity, HPC, AI/ML, and classified computing, leading complex technical efforts and shaping secure, scalable, and resilient infrastructure where performance and reliability are mission critical.

As a senior technical contributor, you will help set technical direction, influence architecture, introduce emerging technologies, and solve the most challenging infrastructure problems across multiple security domains. You will collaborate with engineers, cybersecurity professionals, scientists, researchers, and mission partners while providing technical leadership and mentorship to others.

We are looking for someone with deep Linux expertise and an engineering mindset who enjoys architecting, building, automating, and solving difficult problems—and who can turn complex mission requirements into innovative, sustainable technical solutions.

If you want to remain hands‑on while helping shape the future of secure computing, this is an opportunity to lead technically, influence what comes next, and build systems that matter.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, engineering, and modernization of secure Linux infrastructure supporting classified national security, intelligence, scientific, HPC, and emerging mission environments.
• Architect, build, optimize, and sustain enterprise Linux platforms, primarily Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or Ubuntu, across physical and virtual environments and multiple security domains.
• Lead automation and infrastructure modernization using Ansible, Python, Bash, Git, and infrastructure-as-code practices to improve scalability, security, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Design and implement secure computing solutions aligned with RMF, NIST 800-53, STIGs, DOE directives, and ICD 503, including system hardening, vulnerability remediation, monitoring, and compliance.
• Engineer Linux integration with enterprise identity, virtualization, storage, backup, monitoring, and security platforms, including Active Directory, LDAP, Kerberos, PKI, VMware, and KVM.
• Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex Linux and infrastructure challenges, performing root‑cause analysis and developing sustainable engineering solutions.
• Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies, architectures, and engineering approaches, including HPC, AI/ML, GPU computing, containers, and other advanced computing capabilities.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, networking, storage, application, HPC, and mission teams to translate complex requirements into secure, resilient, and scalable technical solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers while helping establish engineering standards, best practices, and technology roadmaps.
• Support mission‑critical operations, planned maintenance, and occasional after‑hours requirements.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree in a related technical field and at least eight years of Linux systems engineering or administration experience. Equivalent education, experience, and relevant certifications may be considered.
• Current Top‑Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Advanced expertise in RHEL/Linux engineering, architecture, troubleshooting, performance optimization, and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated experience with Ansible, Python, Bash, automation, and infrastructure‑as‑code practices.
• Experience designing or integrating enterprise virtualization, identity, storage, monitoring/logging, and cybersecurity capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical efforts, make sound engineering decisions, and solve challenging cross‑functional infrastructure problems.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience…