Senior IT Specialist (Linux)

Title: Senior IT Specialist (Linux)
Location: Remote with occasional on-site work at IRS locations (Lanham, MD)
Note: On-site availability required for critical systems support and reviews
Clearance: Public Trust

About this role:

As a Senior IT Specialist (Linux), you will be responsible for providing comprehensive OS support for Linux servers (both x86 and zLinux) within IRS environments. You will work closely with the Enterprise Computing Center (ECC) to manage UNIX/Linux systems and support IRS production, development, and disaster recovery environments. This role includes system troubleshooting, maintenance, and working on migrations from Solaris to Linux.

In this role, you will ensure that the IRS' Linux infrastructure is stable, secure, and compliant with federal regulations. Your expertise will help modernize and maintain the IRS' server environment as part of the Linux Migration Initiative, with an emphasis on high availability and performance optimization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide all levels of OS support for UNIX/Linux servers (RHEL6, RHEL7) across IRS environments, including development, production, and disaster recovery.
• Lead the effort to support system migrations, particularly from Solaris to Linux environments.
• Administer and maintain virtual Linux servers in a z/OS environment, ensuring secure, reliable operations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve Linux system issues, including debugging logs, connectivity issues, and code changes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with federal security standards and IRS-specific regulations.
• Participate in the setup and configuration of Docker containers and support virtualization using Red Hat Clustering.
• Document and share best practices for Linux administration with IRS personnel and ensure proper knowledge transfer for ongoing support.

Required Skills / Education / Certifications & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience working with Red Hat Linux (RHEL6, RHEL7) in an enterprise or government environment.
• Strong experience managing Linux virtual servers within a z/OS environment.
• Expertise with Red Hat Clustering and Global File System (GFS) configuration.
• Hands-on experience in troubleshooting Linux systems, resolving system issues, and ensuring system security.
• Security Clearance: Active Public Trust required.

Desired Skills:

• Familiarity with Docker for containerized applications and orchestration tools like Kubernetes.
• Experience using Ansible for automation in Linux environments.
• Experience with Terraform for infrastructure management and deployment.
• Knowledge of Solaris systems and experience with Solaris to Linux migration.
• Familiarity with Satellite server and other virtualization tools in an enterprise environment.

Soft Skills:

• Communication: Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with government stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring smooth MQ integration and operations.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze and troubleshoot complex messaging issues in a secure, mission-critical environment.
• Collaboration: Exceptional teamwork skills, especially when working across various departments and external teams to ensure system stability and compliance.
• Leadership: Ability to lead MQ infrastructure projects and mentor junior staff in MQ administration best practices.

Who We Are:

Rackner is a software consultancy that builds cloud-native solutions for startups, enterprises, and the public sector. We are an energetic, growing consultancy with a passion for solving big problems for both startups and enterprises. Each of us enable digital transformation for large organizations through the newest in distributed technologies as we are laser focused on end-to-end application development, DevSecOps, AI/ML and systems architecture and our methodology focuses on cloud-first and cost-effective innovation. Our customers hail from a diverse, ever-growing list of industries.

Benefits/Additional Info:

Rackner embraces and promotes employee development and training and covers the cost of certifications relevant to a position and the technologies/services provided. Fitness/Gym membership eligibility, weekly pay schedule and employee swag, snacks & events are offered as well!

• 401K with 100% matching up to 6%
• Highly competitive PTO
• Great health insurance with large network of providers
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Life Insurance, and short & long term disability
• Industry-Leading Weekly Pay Schedule
• Home office & equipment plan