Linux Systems Administrator

Job Description

Job Description

Linux Systems Administrator (Mid-Level)

Energetics Technology Center (ETC)

Location: ARL’s Robotics Research Collaboration Campus (R2C2) at Graces Quarters, Middle River, MD

The Energetics Technology Center (ETC) is seeking a full-time mid-level Linux Systems Administrator to support robotics and autonomous systems research for our Department of War client at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Robotics Research Collaboration Campus (R2C2) in Middle River, MD. This role supports ETC’s work under ARL Subtask 2.2, including the ROS Enclave, the virtual test range for Modeling & Simulation (M&S), Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) experimentation, and architecture design for Virtual Proving Ground (VPG) computing and high-performance computing (HPC).

This is a hybrid position requiring three days on-site per week. The selected candidate must also be on-site for projects, experimentation, and testing events. The role may require occasional work outdoors in varying terrain and weather conditions, plus travel two to three times per year for up to two weeks at a time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer Linux-based servers, services, and research systems supporting the ROS Enclave, VPG computing environment, virtual test range, and related laboratory and field platforms (Ubuntu and/or RHEL derivatives).
• Build, configure, patch, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux hosts used for simulation, data handling, robotics integration, and LVC / hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) experimentation.
• Support researcher and partner access to prototype environments, including accounts, permissions, storage, and secure data-management processes for collection, analysis, and processing.
• Collaborate with the Network Engineer and ARL researchers to integrate Linux systems with wired, wireless, tactical, and campus test-network architectures as those architectures are designed and identified.
• Support HPC access, data movement, and software transition into the LVC toolkit, including command-line transfer tools, live analytics, and modeling workflows.
• Help identify computing and HPC capabilities required for VPG integration. Specific systems are not predetermined; the administrator will support requirements gathering, trade-space evaluation, and architecture design.
• Develop and maintain operating policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), user guides, system diagrams, and usage/performance reports.
• Apply security baselines and practices appropriate to the ARL collaborative environment (STIGs, CIS benchmarks, firmware and patch management, logging, and access control).
• Provide onsite and remote systems-administration support for architecture reviews, integration events, demonstrations, and experimentation.
• Support related system administration work on lab and field systems as assigned.

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Systems Administration, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

Experience Level: 3–5 years of relevant Linux systems administration experience. Network administration experience is helpful but is not the primary focus of this role.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship and current possession of, or ability to obtain, a U.S. SECRET security clearance.
• Possess, or obtain within 3 months of start date, a DoD 8140-aligned certification (minimum CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent; legacy DoD 8570 IAT II acceptable).
• Possess, or obtain within 3 months of start date, Linux+ or RHCSA (or equivalent) certification.
• Hands-on experience with Linux system administration, including Ubuntu and/or RHEL derivatives, package management, user and service management, storage, shell scripting, command-line tools, and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of networked Linux systems: TCP/IP, network interfaces, VLANs, VPNs or remote access, name resolution, firewalls, and common protocols.
• Proficiency with troubleshooting tools and techniques (SSH, SCP/rsync, journalctl/logs, ping, traceroute, tcpdump, Wireshark).
• Working understanding of system security standards (STIGs, CIS benchmarks, patch and configuration management).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team in a research and field-experimentation environment.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience with Robot Operating System (ROS / ROS 2) environments or Linux hosts used with robotic platforms.
• Familiarity with configuration management and automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef).
• Experience supporting HPC access, containers (Docker/Podman), or high-end simulation / AI development systems.
• Experience operating or supporting autonomous vehicles, robotic platforms, or field experimentation environments.
• Strong communication, documentation, and customer-service skills.

What We Offer: The opportunity to work hands-on with robotics and autonomous systems research at ARL R2C2, one of the nation’s premier DoD research sites. You will play a key role in enabling LVC experimentation and VPG computing / HPC architecture work while advancing your expertise in Linux systems administration. The role offers a hybrid schedule, exposure to research and field systems, and support for required professional certifications.

Compensation: Compensation at ETC is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, and applicable employment laws. The estimated salary range for this position is based on full time status.

Estimated Salary Range
USD $91,000.00 - USD $136,000.00 /Yr