Linux Engineer (Hybrid eligible)

Requisition Id 15966

Overview:

The Research and Development Systems Engineering (RDSE) Group in the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks to hire a Linux System Engineer. In this position, this individual will be embedded with RDSE customers providing Linux Support, operating and evolving our large-scale, research-focused computing infrastructures. This position is well suited for a systems administrator who has spent years running production Linux environments, enjoys solving complex operational problems, and wants their work to directly enable scientific discovery, and values a highly collaborative work environment.

You will take ownership of Linux servers, storage, and services that support high-impact research programs, including international collaborations such as CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Own the lifecycle of Linux systems from deployment through operations and retirement
• Architect, deploy, and maintain Linux environments (Red Hat, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu) at scale
• Operate and support distributed storage and software distribution platforms, including EOS and CVMFS
• Ensure high availability, performance, security and data integrity across compute and storage systems
• Lead operating system and third-party software maintenance efforts, balancing security requirements with research uptime
• Design and implement automation using Ansible, Puppet, or similar tools to improve reliability and consistency
• Troubleshoot complex, multi-layer issues spanning OS, storage, networking, and hardware
• Partner with local teams, international teams and vendors on hardware selection, installation, and remediation
• Develop and document operational standards and recovery procedures
• Support shared file systems (ext4, XFS, ZFS) and NFS-based research environments
• Work directly with scientists and research IT teams to enable demanding, data-intensive workflows (Some domestic and international travel may be required.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree in computer science or related field plus 5+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling 10 years

• Demonstrated experience administering Linux systems in complex environments
• Experience with storage system, SAN, NAS and various file systems
• Strong scripting skills (Bash, Python, or equivalent)
• Hands-on experience with configuration management and infrastructure automation
• Experience supporting clustered or distributed systems
• Proven ability to independently diagnose and resolve system issues

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting research computing, High Performance Computing, or large-scale data platforms
• Knowledge of distributed and high-performance file systems
• Experience with workload schedulers such as Slurm or HTCondor
• Familiarity with high-performance networking (Ethernet, InfiniBand)
• Experience with monitoring and alerting systems (such as Nagios-class tools or Zabbix)
• Prior work in a national laboratory, government, or university research environment
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 PIV credential. from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email:

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.