UW-Madison College of Engineering · 22 hours ago
Linux Desktop Administrator
Madison, WI
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid Level
3+ years expThe UW-Madison College of Engineering is seeking a Linux Desktop Administrator to manage, support, and optimize Linux-based desktop environments. This role involves ensuring reliable access to academic and administrative systems while collaborating with faculty, researchers, and students to enhance the computing experience.
Higher Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
Install, configure, and maintain Linux desktop operating systems (Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, etc.) across campus labs, faculty offices, and research environments
Provide technical assistance to faculty, staff, and students, including troubleshooting desktop issues, software installations, and performance optimization
Implement and monitor security policies, including patch/package management, endpoint protection, and compliance with institutional IT standards
Package, distribute, and update academic and research applications across Linux desktops using automation tools
Ensure interoperability between Linux desktops and services (Active Directory, LDAP, file servers, printing, cloud platforms)
Maintain clear technical documentation, user guides, and training materials for Linux desktop usage
Work closely with IT teams, faculty, and researchers to support specialized computing needs, including research computation resources and tools
Evaluate emerging Linux desktop technologies and recommend improvements to enhance teaching, learning, and research outcomes
Creates user training materials and basic technical documentation regarding system operations and changes
Serves as a point of contact for internal stakeholders, communicating issue updates and resolutions
Assists with running, maintaining, and operating technical systems and infrastructure
Integrates, identifies, troubleshoots, monitors, and resolves basic supported services, systems, network, and application problems according to established processes and procedures
Configures, maintains, upgrades, develops, and tests IT systems and services in alignment with industry best practices
Qualification
Required
3+ years of Linux system administration, preferably in higher education or research environments
Experience with multiple Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, Debian)
Knowledge of scripting languages (such as Bash, Python, Perl, awk, javascript)
Familiarity with configuration management tools (such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
Experience with authentication systems (such as LDAP, Kerberos, Active Directory, Shibboleth)
Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP v4 and v6, DNS, DHCP)
Experience with network storage integration (such as NFSv3/4 and SMB)
Strong communication, problem-solving, documentation, and customer service skills; ability to work collaboratively in a diverse academic environment
Experience working in teams and negotiating different approaches to problem solving and technical solutions
Preferred
Experience supporting Linux desktops in research labs or computing cluster environments
Familiarity with virtualization and containerization (such as: VMware, Docker, Kubernetes, incus, or proxmox)
Experience with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive technology practices
Contributions to open-source projects or Linux community engagement
Company
UW-Madison College of Engineering
UW-Madison College of Engineering is a higher education platform.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageCompany data provided by crunchbase