Unix System Administrator – Rancher Specialist

Role Overview

Vennote Technologies is seeking a highly skilled Unix System Administrator – Rancher Specialist to join our enterprise infrastructure team. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of our Unix/Linux environments, with a specific focus on container orchestration and cluster management using SUSE Rancher.

The ideal candidate bridges the gap between traditional enterprise Linux administration and modern cloud-native container infrastructure, ensuring high availability, robust security, and seamless application delivery across multi-platform environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Container Orchestration & Rancher Management

• Cluster Management: Deploy, configure, and manage enterprise Kubernetes clusters across production and non-production environments using SUSE Rancher.
• Operations & Scaling: Optimize Rancher for multi-cluster management, ensuring streamlined provisioning, upgrading, and day-2 operations of downstream Kubernetes clusters.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex container orchestration issues, ingress routing problems, persistent volume allocations, and node-level failures within the Rancher ecosystem.

2. System Administration & Configuration

• Multi-Platform Support: Administer, install, and configure Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Solaris, and Oracle Linux environments.
• Virtualization: Manage and optimize bare-metal and virtualized server performance using modern enterprise virtualization technologies to support containerized workloads.
• Lifecycle Management: Lead Technology Refresh projects within the Unix/Linux and container domain to ensure infrastructure remains modern, supported, and scalable.
• Maintenance: Perform OS-level management, including patch updates, kernel fine-tuning, and robust access control.

3. Operations & Monitoring

• Account & Access Management: Handle the full lifecycle of user accounts, manage group policies, and implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) within both Linux OS and Rancher environments.
• Performance Monitoring: Proactively monitor server concurrent logins, processor utilization, network traffic, disk space, and Kubernetes cluster health/metrics.
• Data Protection: Execute regular backup and restore activities (including Velero for Kubernetes/Rancher and traditional OS backups) adhering strictly to corporate disaster recovery procedures.

4. Troubleshooting & Vendor Management

• High Availability & Clustering: Apply strong knowledge of traditional clustering technologies and Kubernetes high-availability architectures to maintain uptime and resolve complex failover issues.
• Vendor Coordination: Collaborate with principal vendors (such as Red Hat, Oracle, and SUSE) to conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement permanent fixes for critical infrastructure incidents.
• Remote Assistance: Provide expert remote technical support for OS installation, configuration, and container platform deployment as needed.

5. Security & Compliance

• Infrastructure Hardening: Partner with the security team to apply patches, implement security policies, and perform strict system hardening.
• Container Security: Implement container security best practices, including image scanning, secure network policies in Rancher, and OS-level hardening.
• Investigations: Assist in security investigations, log analysis, and audit compliance activities.

Technical Requirements

• Containerization: Deep hands-on experience with SUSE Rancher, Docker, and Kubernetes (K8s) architecture.
• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in Bash, Python, or Perl for task automation, system monitoring, and infrastructure provisioning.
• Operating Systems: Expert-level knowledge of RHEL, Solaris, and Oracle Linux.
• Security & Hardening: Strong knowledge of SELinux, IPTables/Firewalld, and implementing CIS (Center for Internet Security) benchmarks for OS and Kubernetes hardening.
• Patch Management: Experience using automated patching tools like Red Hat Satellite, Oracle Enterprise Manager, or Rancher-managed upgrade workflows.

Preferred Skills

• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving mindset for complex cloud-native architectures.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage high-priority infrastructure incidents.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills for seamless vendor coordination and cross-functional team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: Minimum 4–6 years of hands-on experience in a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator role, with at least 2 years actively managing Kubernetes/Rancher environments.
• Linux Certifications: Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is essential.
• Container Certifications: Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Rancher-specific certifications are highly desired.
• Other Certifications: Oracle/Solaris, VMware, or AWS/Azure cloud certifications are a distinct plus.
• Governance: ITIL v4 Foundation certification (highly valued for alignment with Vennote’s service delivery frameworks).

Why Vennote Technologies?

At Vennote, we value technical excellence and a proactive mindset. You will work with a high-octane team where your architectural decisions and container strategies directly impact our enterprise-scale operations and digital transformation initiatives