Sr. Principal System Administrator

Date Posted: 2026-08-19 | Location: Plano, TX (465 Independence Pkwy) | Onsite position | U.S. citizenship required

About the Role

As a Sr. Principal Linux Systems Administrator in Infrastructure Workplace Services, you will lead and collaborate with a diverse team to support fast-paced, critical programs with classified information system capabilities. You will develop, implement, and maintain secure, cost-efficient environments across various classified programs. Program teams rely on your collaboration and guidance to define computing requirements and create end-to-end solutions to solve complex IT infrastructure problems.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize Red Hat Enterprise Linux infrastructure, ensuring reliable and secure IT operations.
• Act as a senior technical resource for the team to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of assigned IT systems and applications.
• Partner with Cybersecurity teams to maintain compliance with security requirements and provide documentation, training, and guidance on advanced IT processes and procedures.
• Mentor and guide junior administrators across a broad range of responsibilities, including corrective and preventive maintenance, routine operational tasks, account management, and system performance tuning.
• Lead and contribute to technical meetings with internal teams and program stakeholders, providing technical guidance and best practices to ensure successful outcomes.
• Develop, document, and enforce system administration processes, standards, and best practices.
• Participate in Change Request reviews and serve on Change Management Boards at various program levels.
• Obtain Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8140 / 8570 Certification requirements (CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent certification).
• Support 24x7 operational systems, occasionally requiring work effort beyond standard work hours.
• Travel required up to 5%.

Requirements

• Typically requires a University degree or equivalent experience and a minimum of 2 years of prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field.
• Active and transferrable final U.S. government-issued Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start date, with the ability to obtain program access after start.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments.
• Experience mentoring both individuals and teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD TS clearance.
• DoD Directive (DoDD) 8140 / 8570 Certification (CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent) and an Operating System Certification.
• Experience with any of the following technologies: VMware, OpenShift, Kubernetes, Docker, Tanzu, Podman, Infrastructure as Code (Terraform and/or Ansible), Windows administration.
• Scripting/coding proficiency (Python/Go/PowerShell/Bash).
• Experience supporting engineers in software, simulations, and hardware development.
• Experience working with NISPOM, JAFAN, JSIG, and/or DoD/RMF guidelines.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) match.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee Scholar Program.
• Parental leave.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs (eligibility dependent on role level and collective-bargaining agreements).

Pay

The salary range for this role is $107,500 – $204,500 USD. The range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.