Principal Technical Engineer - Unix/Linux (remote)

What you will do

Johnson Controls is seeking an experienced Principal Technical Engineer - Unix/Linux to join our dynamic team! You will be responsible for supporting, designing, implementing, and managing Linux-based systems and infrastructure. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the stability, performance, and security of our Linux environments, while also leading architectural initiatives to support our organization's technology strategy. This is a remote position, but candidates must be a US citizen and live in the US.

How you will do it

• OS administration/operations of IBM AIX, HP-UX, and Linux platforms, preferably RedHat Linux:

• Manage and maintain operating systems on IBM AIX, HP-UX, and Linux servers, including installing updates, configuring system settings, and monitoring performance.

• Regular patching of Linux servers and vulnerability remediation:

• Routinely apply software patches to Linux servers to fix security vulnerabilities and bugs, ensuring systems are secure and functioning correctly.

• Hands-on hardware and OS troubleshooting experience:

• Diagnose and resolve issues with physical server hardware and operating systems to ensure system stability and performance.

• Experience in clustering and/or high availability solutions that include IBM PowerHA and RedHat Pacemaker:

• Set up and manage clustering technologies to ensure high availability and minimize downtime of critical applications.

• Working technical knowledge of physical server hardware, including ODA, IBM Power systems:

• Understand and configure server hardware components such as processors, memory, storage devices, and network interfaces.

• Excellent technical knowledge of Unix/Linux server operating systems, including IBM AIX and Linux:

• Deep understanding of Unix/Linux based operating systems, including system commands, file systems, user management, and security features.

• In-depth experience configuring and supporting Unix/Linux virtualization technologies that include IBM PowerVM and VMware:

• Expertise in setting up and managing virtualized environments using IBM PowerVM and VMware, including creating and managing virtual machines.

• Participation in disaster recovery tests and actual recoveries as needed:

• Actively take part in planned tests to simulate disaster scenarios and validate recovery procedures, and be involved in real disaster recovery efforts.

• Contribution to teamwork and effective communication:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, share knowledge, and communicate clearly to ensure smooth operations and successful project outcomes.

• Support, Design and architect scalable and high-availability Linux infrastructures, including servers, storage, and networking components.

• Develop high-level designs and detailed specifications for Linux-based solutions that align with business needs.

• Deploy, configure, and maintain Linux servers and associated services (e.g., web servers, database servers, application servers).

• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices using tools such as Ansible, Terraform, or Chef.

• Monitor system performance and resource utilization, implementing optimizations as needed to enhance system efficiency. Utilize monitoring tools (e.g., Nagios, Prometheus, Grafana) to proactively identify and resolve issues.

• Implement security best practices for Unix/Linux systems, including access controls, firewalls, and regular security audits.

• Manage system updates and patches to ensure compliance with security policies and industry standards.

• Provide expert-level support for Unix/Linux-related issues, troubleshooting and resolving hardware, software, and network problems.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex technical challenges and improve overall system reliability.

• Develop and implement disaster recovery plans and strategies for Linux environments.

• Conduct regular testing of disaster recovery procedures to ensure readiness and effectiveness.

• Maintain comprehensive documentation for system architecture, configurations, and operational procedures.

• Share knowledge and best practices with team members and provide training and mentorship as needed.

• Stay current with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in Linux systems and open-source technologies.

• Evaluate new tools and technologies to enhance system performance and operational efficiency.

What you will need

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

• 7+ years of experience in Unix/Linux system Administration, Engineering roles.

• Proven experience with various Linux distributions (e.g., Red Hat, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian) and Unix distributions - HP-UX & IBM AIX

• Strong knowledge of Unix/Linux operating systems, shell scripting (Bash, Python), and system administration.

• Experience with configuration management and automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef).

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

Preferred

• Relevant certifications such as Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC), or CompTIA Linux+.

• Knowledge of networking concepts, firewall configuration, and security protocols.

• Familiarity with ITIL best practices and experience in change management processes.