Linux Systems Administrator – Patch Management
Summary
A Linux systems administrator in Calgary who supports a limited proof-of-concept of Qualys Patch Management on selected Linux servers: preparing servers, running and validating monthly patch and remediation test cases, checking pre/post-patch health, and documenting results. Core stack is enterprise Linux (RHEL-style), YUM/DNF/RPM/APT, Qualys, shell scripting, with Ansible preferred.
Linux Administrator – Linux, Qualys, Patch Management & Ansible
Calgary, AB T2P 0Y3
The Linux Administrator will support a limited Proof of Concept (PoC) of the Qualys Patch Management module on selected Linux servers. The role focuses on Linux server readiness, controlled patch and remediation testing, validation of server stability, and documentation of results. This is a testing assignment and does not include production rollout or ongoing administration of the Qualys platform.
Key Responsibilities
• Prepare the selected Linux servers and confirm that prerequisites within the Linux administration scope are in place.
• Run and validate agreed test cases for monthly patches from the applicable Linux vendors, third-party software patches, and vulnerability-remediation actions.
• Validate pre-patch and post-patch server health, services, package status, repositories, logs, restart requirements, and application availability.
• Troubleshoot Linux patching issues within the infrastructure support scope and document issues requiring or Qualys support.
• Support approved network or connectivity changes through the applicable process when a PoC test requires a new port, URL allow-list entry, repository path, or firewall change.
• Maintain detailed test records and risk entries, including command output or other evidence, test result, issue, and follow-up action.
• Contribute Linux findings, risks, limitations, and recommendations to the PoC findings report.
• Coordinate with the Desktop Support Engineer, Windows Server Administrator, application owners, and stakeholders.
Required Skills and Experience
• Strong hands-on Linux system administration experience in an enterprise environment.
• Experience with the Linux distributions used in the test environment, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux or another supported enterprise distribution.
• Practical experience with Linux package and patch management using the relevant tools, such as YUM, DNF, RPM, or APT.
• Ability to assess repositories, package dependencies, restart requirements, service impact, maintenance windows, and recovery considerations.
• Experience troubleshooting services, system logs, package failures, permissions, repositories, and network connectivity.
• Working knowledge of Linux vulnerability remediation and security configuration changes.
• Shell scripting skills for validation, evidence collection, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to produce clear test logs and communicate risks and technical findings.
Preferred Skills
• Previous exposure to Qualys VMDR or Qualys Patch Management.
• Experience testing patching tools in Linux server groups.
• Knowledge of Linux hardening, backup, rollback, and recovery validation practices.
• Experience with automation tools such as Ansible.