About the job

Linux / SSH Security Engineer – Privileged Access & Automation£500 P/DFULLY REMOTE6 MONTH CONTRACT

We’re looking for an experienced Linux / SSH Engineer to take ownership of secure SSH access across a large technology estate. This is a hands-on role combining Linux administration, SSH security, privileged access management, automation and infrastructure security.You’ll play a key role in improving SSH security, supporting Linux backend environments, and introducing modern privileged-access capabilities such as PrivX Just-In-Time (JIT) access.

• 🔧 Key ResponsibilitiesOwn and improve secure SSH access across the estate, including configuration, key/certificate management and access controls.
• Lead the onboarding and rollout of PrivX for SSH discovery, reporting and Just-In-Time privileged access.
• Support Linux infrastructure and backend services, including database environments.
• Investigate and resolve SSH connectivity, authentication and access issues.
• Develop Python and Bash automation for discovery, reporting, access workflows and integrations.
• Support privileged-access security controls including least privilege, RBAC, auditability and break-glass access.
• Produce documentation, audit evidence, technical standards and operational runbooks.
• Work with Cloud, Platform, Network, Security and Infrastructure teams to deliver secure and reliable solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, metrics, process improvement and effective change management.

• 🛠️ Key Skills & ExperienceStrong Linux/Unix administration experience.
• Excellent understanding of SSH, including:
• SSH keys and certificates
• Cryptographic algorithms
• SSH configuration
• Key discovery and remediation
• User access and authentication
• Strong Linux knowledge including service management, troubleshooting and backend support.
• Experience with Python and Bash scripting/automation.
• Experience with automation and infrastructure tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Splunk and Postman.
• Familiarity with GitHub, Jenkins and software release/deployment processes.
• Understanding of Identity & Access Management (IAM), RBAC and Privileged Access Management (PAM).
• Database experience, particularly Microsoft SQL; PostgreSQL experience is also relevant.
• Experience with ServiceNow, RFCs and IT service-management processes.
• Good understanding of enterprise infrastructure including VMware, Windows/Linux platforms, databases, firewalls and networking.
• Strong documentation, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• ⭐ DesirableExperience working within a large enterprise or financial-services environment.
• Knowledge of Venafi TPP, particularly SSH key discovery and management.
• Experience with PrivX or other PAM/JIT privileged-access solutions.
• Experience working with large-scale SSH key discovery, remediation and governance programmes.

Linux Server Administration, CentOS, Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, Windows Server, VPS and Dedicated Server Provisioning, KVM, OpenVZ, Virtualizor, OpenStack, WHM/cPanel, Apache, Nginx, DNS Management, IP Routing, Load Balancing, iptables, CSF, UFW, firewalld, SSH Hardening, RAID, LVM, JetBackup, rsync, Backup and Disaster Recovery, Cron Jobs, Bash Scripting, Git, Log Analysis, Performance Monitoring, Incident Management, SLA Compliance, ITSM Best Practices, AI Tools and Automation