At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and enhance secure Linux environments, diagnose issues, and optimise deployments.
- Company: Join CGI, a top-rated employer committed to inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, and share scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a rewarding environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: 2+ years as a Linux Systems Administrator with strong technical expertise.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent learning opportunities and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
CGI was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work List 2025 and has been named one of the ‘World’s Best Employers’ by Forbes magazine. We offer a competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, plus a share scheme (3.5% + 3.5% matching) which makes you a member not just an employee. We are committed to inclusivity, building a genuinely diverse community of tech talent and inspiring everyone to pursue careers in our sector, including our Armed Forces, and are proud to hold a Gold Award in recognition of our support of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. Join us and you’ll be part of an open, friendly community of experts. We’ll train and support you in taking your career wherever you want it to go.
CGI’s Space, Defence and Intelligence business unit focuses primarily on the delivery of contemporary and innovative technical solutions for the government agencies' most challenging problems. We work, build, and operate bespoke, technically complex, mission-critical systems which help our clients keep us all safe and secure. We are currently looking for an experienced System Engineer to join our cross-functional team who, in partnership with our clients, will help define, guide and assure the delivery of integrated solutions. The role offers fantastic opportunities to work within an interesting and highly rewarding environment. We are heavily committed to developing our members and provide excellent learning and development opportunities to ensure that your knowledge and skills keep pace with the evolving technology landscape. We engender a culture of innovation, collaboration and ownership; highly motivated self-starters thrive within our organisation.
Although we would like candidates to have all the skills we need, we would consider high quality individuals who meet most of the criteria. Due to the secure nature of this project, this role requires candidates to either already hold, or be eligible to obtain, a high level of UK Security Clearance. To meet the eligibility criteria for this clearance, applicants must be sole British nationals, have been resident in the UK for the past 10 years, and must not have spent more than 28 consecutive days outside the UK within the last five years. Individuals who do not currently hold clearance are still encouraged to apply and will be considered both for this position and for other suitable opportunities within CGI where appropriate.
This role is primarily based on a secure client site and requires attendance on site five days per week due to the sensitive nature of the work and the systems involved. While the position is predominantly site-based, there may be occasional flexibility where business needs and security constraints allow. Any such arrangements would be agreed in advance with the project team.
Candidate Profile
In this role, you will support and enhance secure Linux environments across production and non-production systems, ensuring reliability, performance, and security. You will take ownership of diagnosing issues, improving deployment efficiency, and maintaining platforms that underpin highly sensitive operations. You will also work closely with clients and CGI teams to support cloud and security transformation initiatives. This includes contributing to hybrid cloud strategies and helping evolve environments towards modern security models, while being supported by experienced colleagues in a collaborative setting.
Responsibilities
- Diagnose & Resolve system issues across production and non-production Linux environments
- Administer & Maintain enterprise Linux systems, ensuring stability and performance
- Optimise & Automate deployments to improve efficiency and reliability
- Support & Enable cloud adoption, hybrid architectures, and migration activities
- Contribute & Implement security improvements, including zero-trust approaches
- Collaborate & Advise clients and internal teams on best practices and improvements
Required Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- At least 2 years’ experience as a Linux Systems Administrator
- Strong hands-on expertise with enterprise Linux distributions (Red Hat, CentOS, Ubuntu)
- Proficiency with Linux command-line tools and shell scripting
- Experience with system monitoring, patching, performance tuning, and automation
- Proven ability to troubleshoot issues and perform root cause analysis
- Working knowledge of networking concepts in Linux environments
- Experience with security hardening and secure system configurations
- Exposure to cloud, virtualised infrastructure, or infrastructure-as-code tools is advantageous
- DV Security Clearance (or willingness and eligibility to obtain) and sole UK nationality
Linux System Engineers employer: Free-Work UK
Contact Detail:
Free-Work UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Linux System Engineers
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, tech conferences, or even online webinars. Connecting with professionals in the field can open doors and give you insider info on job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do, especially for technical roles like Linux System Engineer.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you feel more confident and ready to tackle those tricky questions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Linux System Engineers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Linux System Engineer role. Highlight your experience with enterprise Linux distributions and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your experience with cloud adoption and security improvements, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to include examples of how you've diagnosed and resolved system issues in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate their troubleshooting abilities and proactive approach to challenges.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you'll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we’re excited to see your application come through directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Free-Work UK
✨Know Your Linux Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Linux skills before the interview. Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with enterprise Linux distributions like Red Hat, CentOS, and Ubuntu. They’ll likely ask you about troubleshooting, performance tuning, and automation, so have some examples ready to showcase your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Since the role involves diagnosing and resolving system issues, think of specific challenges you've faced in previous positions. Prepare to explain how you approached these problems, what tools you used, and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the job effectively.
✨Understand Security Protocols
Given the sensitive nature of the work, it’s crucial to be familiar with security hardening and secure system configurations. Brush up on zero-trust approaches and be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented security improvements in past roles. This shows that you take security seriously and understand its importance in a Linux environment.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
This position requires working closely with clients and internal teams, so highlight your collaborative experiences. Think of examples where you’ve worked in cross-functional teams or advised clients on best practices. Showing that you can communicate effectively and work well with others will set you apart.