"Linux Desktop Administrator"

Job Details

Salary:
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Technical Integration Eng I

Job Summary:

The Linux Desktop Administrator will be responsible for managing, supporting, and optimizing Linux-based desktop environments across the College of Engineering. This role ensures reliable access to academic, research, and administrative systems, while maintaining security, usability, and compliance with higher education standards. The administrator will collaborate with faculty, researchers, IT staff, and students to deliver a stable and innovative computing experience.

Key Responsibilities

• System Administration: Install, configure, and maintain Linux desktop operating systems (Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, etc.) across campus labs, faculty offices, and research environments.
• User Support: Provide technical assistance to faculty, staff, and students, including troubleshooting desktop issues, software installations, and performance optimization.
• Security Management: Implement and monitor security policies, including patch/package management, endpoint protection, and compliance with institutional IT standards.
• Software Deployment: Package, distribute, and update academic and research applications across Linux desktops using automation tools.
• Integration: Ensure interoperability between Linux desktops and services (Active Directory, LDAP, file servers, printing, cloud platforms).
• Documentation: Maintain clear technical documentation, user guides, and training materials for Linux desktop usage.
• Collaboration: Work closely with IT teams, faculty, and researchers to support specialized computing needs, including research computation resources and tools.
• Innovation: Evaluate emerging Linux desktop technologies and recommend improvements to enhance teaching, learning, and research outcomes.

Work Environment

This position is part of the Computer-Aided Engineering group serving faculty, staff, and students across the College of Engineering. The Linux Desktop Administrator will balance day-to-day support with long-term strategic projects, ensuring that Linux systems remain a reliable and innovative platform for teaching, learning, and research.

Remote Work eligibility:

This position will initially be required to work 100% onsite, but will be eligible for up to 1 day remote work after a successful training period.

Additional Information

Applicants for this position will be considered for Technical Integration Engineer I, Technical Integration Engineer II, and the Technical Integration Engineer III titles. The title and compensation is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.
Additional information can be found here: https://www.cae.wisc.edu/about/college-of-engineering-linux-desktop-administrator-position/

Key Job Responsibilities:

• 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

Department:
College of Engineering, Computer Aided Engineering

Compensation:
The starting salary for the position is $70,000, but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications:

• 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 Qualifications:

• 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

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience) preferred.

How to Apply:
Please go to the “” area and select your current UW Employment Status. Applicants are required to upload a resume and a cover letter outlining relevant qualifications and experience as it pertains to the required and preferred qualifications outlined in this job posting.
The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly. References will be requested of final candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search is complete and a candidate has been selected.
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

Contact Information:
Rob Kohlhepp
115 N Orchard St
Madison, WI 53715
rob.kohlhepp@wisc.edu