Job ID: JOB_ID_1347
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior VMWare ESXi and Linux Red Hat Administrator for a high-impact, 6-month contract based in Houston, Texas. This role is designed for a technical expert who can manage complex virtualized environments and ensure the security and stability of our server infrastructure. The position follows a hybrid work model, requiring four days of onsite presence at our Houston facility, with one day of remote flexibility. This is an urgent requirement for a professional with deep expertise in hypervisor management, OS patching, and automation. The successful candidate will lead vulnerability remediation activities across VMware ESXi clusters and vCenter, ensuring that all systems meet rigorous security and performance standards within defined SLAs.
Core Responsibilities
- Direct the remediation of vulnerabilities across VMware ESXi clusters, vCenter, and associated virtualization components to maintain a secure infrastructure.
- Manage the full lifecycle of ESXi hosts, including patching, upgrades, and lifecycle management using VMware Lifecycle Manager (vLCM).
- Implement and maintain automated patching workflows using the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) for both OS and hypervisor layers.
- Administer RHEL 8.x and 9.x environments, focusing on kernel management, YUM/DNF patching, and performance tuning in heterogeneous Linux/AIX environments.
- Perform firmware and BIOS upgrades for physical server hardware hosting ESXi, including HMC and CECs where applicable.
- Conduct root cause analysis for complex system failures, performance bottlenecks, and host instability issues.
- Develop and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), remediation runbooks, rollback plans, and audit documentation for compliance.
- Collaborate with infrastructure, storage, and network teams to validate compatibility matrices before performing critical upgrades.
- Plan and implement rolling upgrades for ESXi hosts in clustered production environments with zero or minimal downtime.
Required Skills and Experience
- Extensive hands-on experience with VMware ESXi patching, upgrades, vCenter administration, and cluster management.
- Advanced proficiency in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) administration, specifically versions 8.x and 9.x.
- Strong scripting skills in Bash, Shell, or Python to automate repetitive tasks and remediation activities.
- Deep knowledge of vulnerability remediation in virtualized environments, with preferred experience in Rapid7 or Tenable integration.
- Experience with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform for automated infrastructure management.
- Proven ability to plan and execute rolling upgrades in clustered environments with minimal downtime.
- Excellent troubleshooting skills across Linux, ESXi, and underlying hardware/firmware layers.
Additional Requirements
Candidates must possess genuine professional experience and be able to provide a valid LinkedIn profile for verification. This role requires a high level of technical maturity and the ability to handle critical infrastructure tasks under tight deadlines. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all systems meet our rigorous security and performance standards. We are looking for a proactive problem-solver who can take ownership of the virtualization and Linux landscape. This contract offers the potential for extension based on performance and project needs. If you are a senior-level administrator with a passion for automation and infrastructure excellence, we encourage you to apply for this immediate opening in Houston.
Special Requirements
Work Authorization: Any. Hybrid: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote in Houston, TX. Requires genuine experience, visa, and LinkedIn profile.
Compensation & Location
Salary: $135,000 – $175,000 per year (Estimated)
Location: Houston, TX
Recruiter / Company – Contact Information
Recruiter / Employer: ReadPointe Inc
Email: krishna@readpointe.com
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