Position Title: Senior Linux Platform Engineer

Location: Hyderabad
Grade: L2-2

Role Purpose

The Senior Linux Platform Engineer serves as the organization's technical authority for enterprise Linux platforms, combining operating system expertise with automation-first engineering principles. This role is responsible for designing, automating, and operating Linux infrastructure across hybrid cloud environments (Azure, AWS, on-premises VMware) while serving as an escalation point for critical Linux operations. The ideal candidate is a pragmatic technologist who partners with application teams, security, and business units to deliver standardized, compliant, and highly automated Linux platforms that accelerate pharma
innovation while maintaining rigorous GxP regulatory standards.
This position is pivotal to our organization's digital transformation journey. As pharma increasingly relies on cloud infrastructure, data platforms, AI/ML capabilities, and advanced analytics, the Linux platform becomes the foundation enabling innovation. This role ensures our scientists, researchers, and business partners have reliable, secure, and agile infrastructure that accelerates drug discovery and improves patient outcomes while maintaining the compliance rigor and quality standards our industry demands.
By leveraging our existing AAP investment and GitHub Actions integration, you'll drive automation maturity that reduces operational toil, accelerates delivery, and enables the organization to focus on high-value innovation rather than repetitive infrastructure tasks.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Engineering & Automation
Enhance and extend our enterprise Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) implementation, building sophisticated automation workflows for Linux provisioning, configuration management, and orchestration
Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions integrated with Ansible playbooks and AAP for automated OS image baking, testing, and deployment
Develop and optimize golden image pipelines for RHEL and other Linux distributions across Azure, AWS, and VMware environments using Infrastructure as Code principles
Create reusable Ansible roles, collections, and Python-based automation tools that enable self-service capabilities for application teams
Build integration workflows between GitHub Actions, AAP, and enterprise tooling via REST APIs (ServiceNow, monitoring platforms, CMDB, orchestration tools)
Drive containerization initiatives, supporting application teams with RHEL-based container strategies and platform readiness
Continuously improve automation framework performance, reliability, and maintainability based on operational feedback
Enterprise Linux Operations & Architecture
Serve as subject matter expert for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) across all versions and deployment models
Architect and manage Red Hat Satellite infrastructure for patch management, content lifecycle, and GxP compliance reporting
Own the Linux platform lifecycle: planning, hardening standards (CIS, STIG), patching strategies, and end-of-life migrations
Design and implement scalable solutions for Linux workloads across multi-cloud and hybrid environments
Establish and enforce Linux standards, best practices, and architectural patterns aligned with pharma GxP compliance requirements
Evaluate and integrate emerging Linux technologies and distributions as business needs evolve
Ensure Linux platforms meet validation requirements for GxP-regulated systems
Stakeholder Partnership & Integration
Partner with application owners, Oracle DBAs, integration teams, and development groups to understand requirements and embed them into standardized platform offerings
Translate complex business and application requirements into technical Linux platform capabilities
Collaborate with Cloud Engineering, Security, Network, and Storage teams on cross-functional initiatives
Lead technical discovery sessions and provide consultative guidance on Linux platform capabilities
Participate in architecture review boards and provide Linux expertise for new initiatives and M&A integrations
Work with Quality Assurance and Validation teams to ensure Linux automation supports GxP compliance and validation activities
Technical Leadership & Escalation Support
Function as Tier 3/4 escalation point for Service Desk and IT Operations on all Linux-related incidents and problems
Lead root cause analysis for critical Linux platform issues and drive permanent remediation
Mentor junior engineers and operations staff on Linux fundamentals, automation techniques, and troubleshooting methodologies
Provide on-call support rotation for critical production Linux infrastructure
Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and knowledge base articles aligned with GxP documentation standards
Linux Platform Management
Assist with the maintenance of our CMDB
Maintain and evolve our Linux platform management environment
Audit participation and remediation
Collaborate and assist with other core tools to be integrated in the platform

Expected Skills

Technical Expertise
7+ years of hands-on Linux system administration experience with deep expertise in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL 7, 8, 9)
Expert level of proficiency with Ansible Automation Platform (AAP/Tower/Controller), including complex workflow development, role creation, dynamic inventories, and job templates
Advanced proven experience with GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipeline development and integration with Ansible automation workflows
Advanced scripting capabilities in Python and Bash for automation, API integration, and systems programming
Extensive Experience managing Red Hat Satellite (6.x) for content management, patch orchestration, and compliance reporting
Strong understanding of Linux internals: systemd, kernel parameters, storage management (LVM, filesystems), networking, and security (SELinux, firewalld)
Experience with cloud-native Linux deployments in AWS (EC2, Systems Manager, AMI building) and Azure (VMs, Azure Automation, custom images)
Hands-on experience with VMware vSphere Linux guest management and integration
Proficiency with Git/GitHub for version control, branch strategies, and Infrastructure as Code workflows
Experience consuming and developing REST APIs for system integration and automation
Understanding of CI/CD principles and GitOps methodologies

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Platform & Integration Experience
Working knowledge of application requirements for Oracle databases, middleware platforms, and enterprise integration patterns
Experience with package management (RPM, yum/dnf) and custom repository management
Understanding of configuration management principles and desired state configuration
Familiarity with monitoring and observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, Datadog, or similar)
Experience building and maintaining golden images with security hardening and compliance controls built-in
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Soft Skills & Business Acumen
Excellent communication skills with ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
Proven track record of partnering with application teams and understanding business requirements
Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with methodical problem-solving approach
Self-directed with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced pharmaceutical environment
Customer service mindset with experience in escalation management
Collaborative team player who can work effectively across organizational boundaries
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Preferred Qualifications
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) or Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)
Experience in regulated pharmaceutical/life sciences environments with GxP system validation
Knowledge of additional Linux distributions (Ubuntu, SLES, Oracle Linux, Amazon Linux)
Container platform experience (OpenShift, Kubernetes, Docker/Podman)
Infrastructure as Code tools: Terraform, Packer for image building
Experience with HashiCorp Vault or secrets management platforms
Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator)
Agile/DevOps methodology exposure and experience working in sprint-based delivery models
Experience with security hardening and compliance automation (SCAP, OpenSCAP, Ansible security roles)
Understanding of GAMP 5 principles and CSV (Computer System Validation) processes
GitHub Advanced Security or similar DevSecOps tooling experience

Background & Experience

Education: Bachelor's degree
Proficiency in English Language
Pharmaceutical experience preferred, or other regulated industry
Hybrid platform experience (Cloud (specifically AWS and Azure) and on-premises)