Linux Administrator

Description

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Blue Sky Studios

We are a collection of enduring brands and iconic, unforgettable characters. We create content for audiences big and small, reaching billions of people every day. Most of all, we are many individuals, each uniquely talented, each a critical piece to our puzzle, who collectively become a power. Desire to thrill and engage? Join us as we engage and inspire.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Linux Workstation Administrator’s primary responsibility is administration and maintenance support for the Studio's 450+ production Linux workstations, including daily interactions with the Studio’s digital animation artists. The Systems department staff contributes their expertise to a wide range of maintenance, integration, optimization, and problem resolution tasks. The Linux Administrator reports to the Head of Systems and works at the direction of the department’s technical leads on break/fix tasks and project work.

Primary Responsibilities

• Comprehensive support for the Studio's Linux workstations and workstation administration infrastructure, including Integration, implementation, optimization and inventory management.

• Workstation builds and configuration management utilizing git, puppet, pxe, and salt. 

• Support for hardware, OS and application evaluations.

• Troubleshooting and problem resolution. 

• Documentation of technologies and procedures.

• Training for Help Desk staff.

• Special projects and other duties as required.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Help Desk Linux and MacOS support.

Qualifications

Must have experience with Administrating Unix workstations.

Technologies

• Expertise with CentOS Linux administration.

• Programming languages including Unix shell scripting, Python, Perl and Go.

• Directory and networking services, including Active Directory, Kerberos, NIS, DNS, and DHCP.

• Supporting production data on network attached storage. 

• Configuration management using git, puppet, pxe and salt.

• License servers including flexlm, flexnet, rlm;

• Experience with production animation applications is a plus: Houdini, Maya, Mudbox, Nuke, TVPaint. 

• HP and Dell workstations.

• Color correct and stereo monitors.

• Wacom Intuos and Cintiq tablets.

• Nvidia and AJA graphics cards.

Skills and Abilities

• The technical aptitude (indicated on resume and supported by technical references) to deliver comprehensive technical support in a production environment. 

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects.  

• Ability to relate to and communicate with all levels of employees.

• Process oriented, but flexible around business needs.

• Thorough record keeping and documentation skills, including technical documentation of processes; documenting code; inventory, project, task, and time tracking.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The ability to communicate effectively and accurately with management, systems administration team members, customers and vendors is a core job responsibility. 

• A proven track record for managing multiple projects, priorities and tasks.

• Serve as a representative of Blue Sky Studios, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, teamwork and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Studio.

Education

• College degree in computer science and/or a combination of education and experience that would be equivalent to that level of professionalism, problem solving and analytical skills.

• 2-4 years or the equivalent Linux administration experience in a university, business or production environment supporting complex, Linux-based applications.

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands

• The Systems department provides 24/7 support for some production critical systems. Flexible working hours are required, including occasional early mornings, late evenings and weekends.  

• Some systems maintenance is scheduled for early morning, evening or weekend hours. 

• Walking, bending, sitting and lifting up to 50lbs is required on a regular basis. 

• Office working environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Blue Sky Studio management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.