Operations Engineer II

Operations Engineer II (Linux Admin) - Chennai ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster.

As a values-driven organisation, integrity, collaboration, agility, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work and interact with each other, customers, patients and suppliers.

The Operation Engineer II will be responsible for production, non-production, and project support for all Linux and Unix systems. They will provide Linux system administration support for critical production environments, ensuring high availability and reliability. They will manage system performance, patching, monitoring, and troubleshooting across infrastructure layers. They will deliver 24/7 operational support, handling incidents, problems, and changes in line with ITIL practices. They will collaborate with storage, middleware, database, and network teams to resolve complex issues. They will develop automation and support CI/CD and infrastructure-as-code initiatives. They will maintain documentation, enforce security standards, and contribute to continuous service improvement.

Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Operations Engineer II with strong expertise in Linux system administration to support and maintain critical production environments. This role focuses on ensuring high availability, performance, and reliability of infrastructure while contributing to automation and continuous improvement initiatives, aligned with ITIL best practices. Key Responsibilities Linux System Administration Manage, configure, and maintain Linux-based servers (e.g., RHEL, CentOS, Oracle Linux). Perform system patching, updates, and upgrades in accordance with company standards. Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues across infrastructure layers.

Operational Support Provide 24/7 operational support (on-call rotation as required). Diagnose and resolve incidents, outages, and performance bottlenecks. Execute root cause analysis (RCA) and implement preventive measures.

Monitoring & Alerting Utilize monitoring tools (e.g., Solarwinds, Prometheus, Grafana) to track system health. Respond proactively to alerts and ensure SLA adherence.

Automation & Scripting Develop and maintain automation scripts (e.g., Bash, Python) to streamline operations. Support infrastructure-as-code initiatives using tools like Ansible, or similar.

Cross-Team Collaboration Work closely with Storage, Middleware, Database, and Network teams to support integrated infrastructure and application environments. Coordinate troubleshooting efforts across teams to resolve complex, multi-layer issues. Participate in change planning, capacity management, and system design discussions.

ITIL Process Alignment Operate within ITIL frameworks, including Incident, Problem, Change, and Request Management. Ensure proper documentation, prioritization, escalation, and resolution of tickets in line with SLAs/OLAs.

Security & Compliance Implement security best practices, including access control, patching, and vulnerability remediation. Ensure systems comply with internal and external audit requirements.

Documentation Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation for systems, processes, and troubleshooting procedures.

Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience). 5+ years of experience in Linux system administration. Strong knowledge of: Linux OS internals and commands. Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, SSH, firewalls). File systems, storage management, and system performance tuning.

Experience with scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or Shell scripting. Familiarity with ITIL processes and service management frameworks. Hands-on experience with monitoring and logging tools. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP) Familiarity with container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift). Knowledge of CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps). Experience with configuration management tools (Satellite Server, Ansible, or similar). Exposure to virtualization technologies (VMware). Certifications such as RHCSA, RHCE, or equivalent. Key Competencies Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Effective communication and collaboration skills. Proactive mindset with a focus on automation and continuous improvement. Understanding of service management and operational excellence principles. Attention to detail and commitment to quality. Working Conditions May require participation in an on-call rotation. Occasional off-hours work for maintenance or incident response. Customer Support/Operations.

Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.

Rewards & Benefits ICON offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and career development.

Benefits may include: Competitive base salary and performance related incentives Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable Retirement and pension plans Life assurance and disability coverage Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways

Benefits may vary depending on role and location.

Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

Inclusion and Accessibility ICON is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know or submit a request  here .

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