Key skills
RHEL 7/8/9LeappLinux administrationAnsibleScriptingRHCE certificationTroubleshootingRemedyVirtualizationPythonBashChange Management
About this role
Florida Blue is part of GuideWell, seeking an experienced IT Systems Engineer to support their RHEL migration project. The role involves executing in-place upgrades from RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9, assessing system readiness, and collaborating with teams to ensure smooth upgrade processes.
Responsibilities:
- Execute in-place upgrades from RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 using the Leapp tool across physical and virtual servers
- Assess system readiness and compatibility, including applications, third-party tools, and kernel modules
- Conduct pre-upgrade analysis, resolve blocking issues, and ensure systems meet Leapp prerequisites
- Develop and follow upgrade checklists, testing procedures, and rollback plans
- Collaborate with application owners, DBAs, and infrastructure teams to coordinate upgrade schedules and minimize disruption
- Troubleshoot upgrade-related issues across system performance, services, SELinux, and network configurations
- Automate repeatable upgrade processes where appropriate using Ansible or similar tools
- Ensure upgrades align with internal security and compliance requirements
- Document upgrade activities, outcomes, and system changes
- Use Remedy to track tasks, incidents, and changes related to the upgrade project
Requirements:
- 3-5+ years of Linux system administration experience, with a strong focus on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
- Hands-on experience performing RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 upgrades using Leapp in enterprise environments
- Strong understanding of RPM, system boot processes, GRUB, kernel modules, systemd, and SELinux
- Experience identifying and remediating Leapp upgrade blockers and compatibility issues
- Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Bash, Python) and automation with Ansible
- Familiarity with system backup and recovery procedures, including snapshots, rsync, and LVM
- Excellent troubleshooting skills across system, network, and service layers
- Comfortable working independently and managing work in a remote, team-based environment
- Experience using Remedy for ticketing and change management
- Related Bachelor's degree in an IT related field or relevant work experience
- RHCE or equivalent Red Hat certification
- Experience in virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, Nutanix)
- Prior work on large-scale upgrade or migration projects in production environments
- Previous experience as a contractor or consultant on IT infrastructure projects