RHEL Engineer

RHEL Engineer
6 month+ contract
100% remote

*Must be w2 without sponsorship needs

Project Scope:
We are seeking an experienced IT Systems Engineer (Contractor) to support our enterprise-wide RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 migration project using Leapp. This role is part of a critical systems modernization initiative and requires strong expertise in RHEL systems, Leapp upgrade processes, and managing upgrades at scale. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, process-driven, and experienced in identifying and mitigating upgrade risks in enterprise environments. (2500 total Linux Servers)

Team Size: Team of 11 total (working with internal-facing application owners as well)

Key Responsibilities:
• Execute in-place upgrades from RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 using the Leapp tool across physical and virtual servers.
• Assess system readiness and compatibility, including applications, third-party tools, and kernel modules.
• Conduct pre-upgrade analysis, resolve blocking issues, and ensure systems meet Leapp prerequisites.
• Develop and follow upgrade checklists, testing procedures, and rollback plans.
• Collaborate with application owners, DBAs, and infrastructure teams to coordinate upgrade schedules and minimize disruption.
• Troubleshoot upgrade-related issues across system performance, services, SELinux, and network configurations.
• Automate repeatable upgrade processes where appropriate using Ansible or similar tools.
• Ensure upgrades align with internal security and compliance requirements.
• Document upgrade activities, outcomes, and system changes.
• Use Remedy to track tasks, incidents, and changes related to the upgrade project.

Required Experience:
• 3-5+ years of Linux system administration experience, with a strong focus on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
• Hands-on experience performing RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 upgrades & migrations using Leapp in enterprise environments.
• Strong understanding of RPM, system boot processes, GRUB, kernel modules, systemd, and SELinux.
• Experience identifying and remediating Leapp upgrade blockers and compatibility issues.
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Bash, Python) and automation with Ansible.
• Familiarity with system backup and recovery procedures, including snapshots, rsync, and LVM.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills across system, network, and service layers.
• Comfortable working independently and managing work in a remote, team-based environment.
• Experience using Remedy for ticketing and change management.

Preferred Qualifications:
• RHCE or equivalent Red Hat certification.
• Experience in virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, Nutanix).
• Prior work on large-scale upgrade or migration projects in production environments.
• Previous experience as a contractor or consultant on IT infrastructure projects.

Required Education:
•Related Bachelor's degree in an IT related field or relevant work experience

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