Linux System Engineer

Linux System Engineer

100%, Basel, permanent

Are you ready to take ownership of world-class Linux infrastructure in a dynamic biological research environment? At the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) of ETH Zurich in Basel, data-driven science meets cutting-edge engineering.

As the senior technical anchor for our Linux ecosystem, you will join a focused, close-knit infrastructure group of four. Linux and storage service delivery is shared across three team members (with our fourth colleague focusing on Windows and virtualization). In this position, you will lead the core technical architecture and operations, while two team members work somewhat more closely with daily client and customer support. Underpinning our local setup are the central services of ETH ID, providing robust networking, central storage, and a growing central Linux core.

Whether you are already an experienced senior engineer or a talented, motivated Linux professional ready to step into a larger role and expand your capabilities, we offer the autonomy and support for you to thrive. If you want your engineering expertise to directly empower groundbreaking scientific progress, this is your place to grow!

Job description

• Lead Linux Infrastructure & Services: Take personal responsibility for the technical architecture, continuous development, and 3rd-level operations of our Linux ecosystem, including hosts, web/application platforms (e.g., LAMP), containerization, and Slurm workload management.
• Automate & Orchestrate Systems: Proactively design, deploy, and refine scalable configuration management tools (Ansible/Puppet), database hosts, and automation scripts to ensure high service availability and operational integrity.
• Manage Enterprise Storage & High-Performance Data: Provide and maintain robust UNIX/Linux storage (NFS, CIFS, Kerberos, CEPH, RAID). Lead technical investigations into complex data challenges, optimize storage migrations, and safeguard data resilience.
• Secure Network & System Topologies: Own system security, disaster recovery protocols, and server/service lifecycle management. Define and enforce secure firewall rules, network configurations, and data integrity safeguards.
• Drive Strategic & Central Projects: Lead our local IT projects with high visibility and dependencies on central IT units, serving as the core technical liaison to deliver modern infrastructure solutions.
• Consult & Support Scientific Users: Act as an expert partner for internal research groups—advising on client/server specifications, delivering custom infrastructure solutions, and providing support for Linux workstations and servers.
• Foster Collaboration & Redundancy: Nurture team well-being and operational continuity by mentoring peers, building technical supporting skills redundancy.

Profile

Expertise meets team spirit.

You enjoy working as part of a team and value a service-oriented approach to your work. You are able to maintain a clear overview of complex issues and find it easy to get to grips with new technologies and customer needs. You have the following skills or similar:

• Professional Experience: A few years of hands-on Linux experience with strong foundational knowledge of Ubuntu and RedHat distributions, automation (Ansible and/or Puppet) and scripting, securing, and user-facing environments. Slurm experience is an advantage.
• Storage & Systems Expertise: Technical familiarity with Unix-related storage technologies (NFS, CIFS, Kerberos, CEPH, RAID), systems monitoring, and server hardware support.
• Virtualization & Services: Working experience with virtualization, container technologies, and web/application server security.
• Certifications & Growth: LPIC or Red Hat certification is preferred. We value continuous professional development and support your growth into the broader requirements of the position.
• Analytical & Methodological Mindset: Strong problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and a structured, proactive approach to system administration and planning, combined with a sense of innovation.
• Communication & Inclusivity: Excellent customer orientation, strong communication skills (in English, German an advantage) and an inclusive mindset for collaborating effectively within a diverse, multi-cultural academic environment.

We offer

Position-Specific Highlights:

• A role designed for professional growth, offering high personal autonomy and technical decision-making space.
• 3rd-level systems engineering embedded within the cutting-edge D-BSSE scientific community in Basel.
• Strong team support with shared operational duties and opportunity to continuously develop your technical skills in a production environment.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Excellent financial security with attractive pension plans via PUBLICA.
• Public transport subsidies (SBB) and car-sharing options (Mobility).
• We live: Lifelong learning
• See further here.

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Motivation letter
• CV
• Work and edication certificates

Further information about D-BSSE can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Vernon Bailey, Head of IT Support vernon.bailey@bsse.ethz.ch (no application documents).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.