Arsalan Shaikh
Sr. Linux System Administrator
Mechanicsburg,PA
Summary
Experienced Linux and DevOps administration with 10+ years of hands-on expertise in enterprise-grade infrastructure. I specialize in RHEL system administration, cloud-native deployments, and infrastructure automation using Ansible, Terraform, and Python. Proven success in migrating large-scale systems to Red Hat Satellite, building custom RHEL images for AWS/Azure, and integrating secure DevOps pipelines. Passionate about driving operational efficiency, security compliance, and high-availability in hybrid cloud environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Senior Linux System Administrator
Commonwealth of PA, Governer Office of Administra-
02.2016 - Current
- Developed GitHub-hosted baseline code for post-OS server configuration, aligning systems to enterprise standards.
- Developed system health pre-check scripts to validate disk, time sync, network, and service status before patching or configuration changes.
- Led patching cycles, OS upgrades, license renewals, and infrastructure enhancement planning.
- Built KS templates for RHEL8/9 on virtual and physical systems, including embedded DVD ISO support for restricted network zones.
- Built and published RHEL golden AMI to AWS using Red Hat Image Builder for consistent cloud EC2 deployment.
- Created and maintained custom repositories in RH Satellite for stable and compliant Linux environments.
- Integrated monitoring agents like SCOM, OMS, and Log Insight on Linux systems; enabled alert-based visibility for performance and security issues.
- Performed OS upgrades from RHEL7 to RHEL8/9 using Leapp via Red Hat Satellite and RHUI for Azure VMs.
- Deployed vendor-certified Linux distro OS on physical agency devices in high-security EDC environments.
- Participated in DR planning and implemented file-level backup scripts and recovery validation for mission-critical Linux applications.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams and vendors to troubleshoot, design, and implement scalable enterprise solutions.
- Troubleshot and supported critical infrastructure systems, including installations, upgrades, and incident response.
- Migrated 500+ servers from legacy Spacewalk to Red Hat Satellite for centralized patch and system management.
- Automated infrastructure tasks using Ansible with YAML and Bash; implemented secure credential handling with Ansible Vault.
- Configured 30+ RHEL8 Tenable scanner nodes, each with 10 NICs, to perform enterprise-wide network scanning across segmented VLANs and subnets; ensured optimal interface binding, throughput, and secure integration with Tenable.io/Tenable.sc.
- Deployed SNMPv3 securely on 30+ Tenable scanners using Ansible automation with Vault-encrypted credentials.
- Replaced legacy FireEye endpoint protection with CrowdStrike Falcon across hybrid Linux environments (on-prem & cloud) via Ansible playbooks.
- Hardened remote access by configuring TMUX to restrict persistent sessions for scanning and service accounts.
- Implemented CIS/STIG-aligned hardening for RHEL servers using automated Ansible roles; supported audit readiness and vulnerability remediation.
- Migrated legacy Linux systems from Winbind to SSSD for AD integration; standardized centralized auth with realmd and sssd.conf.
- Handled SSL certificate renewals for apps and internal platforms (Satellite, Gitea, Ansible); ensured timely updates to prevent outages.
- Assisted Cloud DBA team in optimizing data transfers by tuning and configuring BFS2 mount points.
Coordinated with audit and compliance teams to address risks, enforce security baselines, and maintain regulatory compliance. - Supported 24x7 production and delivery environments following ITIL v3 practices and ServiceNow ticketing system.
- Worked across multiple Linux distributions including RHEL, SUSE, Ubuntu, Amazon and Kali, in both on-prem and Azure environments.
- Version-controlled infrastructure and playbook changes in GitHub; enforced peer-reviewed pull requests and changelog standards for production workflows.
Linux DevOps Administrator
Monsanto Inc.
06.2014 - 12.2015
- Installed Puppet Enterprise and Connected it to Puppet Agents in the Enterprise AWS Define
Puppet Module Development - Profile, Apache, Hadoop, MySQL - Automated system management tasks like user account creation, file system size monitoring, monitor system resources and system maintenance using Shell, in Puppet decorative lang.
- Setup SSH key to authenticate GIT repository for puppet and other codes.
- Managed and created the Git repositories for Linux system administrator tasks.
- Managed office inventory levels, ensuring adequate supplies were available while minimizing waste and unnecessary spending.
- WebLogic 12c upgrade and testing the builds using Puppet Deployment Scripts
- Soap testing of Services after Pre-Prod and Prod Deployments
- Deployment of Code into Cert, Pre-Prod and Prod environment
- Define, Simulate, Enforce and Report through Puppet Enterprise
- Knowledge of all the cookbook essentials (resources, action, handlers, libraries, run list etc.)
- Established an organized filing system that streamlined document retrieval and reduced misplaced files.
Linux System Administrator
Affinion Group
09.2013 - 04.2014
- Worked with Jumpstart & Kickstart Installations using build cable and ISO image
- Implemented monitoring tools for real-time analysis of system performance, allowing for proactive identification of potential issues before they impacted users.
- Responsible for installation, configuration, and administration of Red Hat Linux, SuSE systems.
- Management of User accounts, System security, change management and performance tuning.
Installation of SSL certificates Linux servers. And troubleshooting skills with network protocols such as DNS, TCP/IP, SMTP & SNMP. - Managing the Guest OS (VMs) using Virtual Infrastructure Client
- Creating and managing VMFS data stores.
Used V-Motion to be migrated VM’s from one ESX server to different ESX server. - Management of user accounts, System security, change management and performance tuning.
Installation of SSL certificates Linux servers. - Work includes snapshots, templates, VM migration, adjusting resource limitations.
- Creating data stores and making file system changes on guest Linux operating system.
- Coordinating, scheduling, and implementing Patching on Linux servers on quarterly basis.
- Analyzing the performance of Linux Systems to identify the Disk I/O, CPU and Network issues.
- Worked on flexible hours for production, backup, and on-call support for 24/7 environments.
Education
Masters in Economics And Finance - Business Economics
University of Karachi
Pakistan 05.2001 -
Skills
Terraform infrastructure as code (IaC)
Certification
AWS – Certified Solution Architect
Timeline
Senior Linux System Administrator
Commonwealth of PA, Governer Office of Administra-
02.2016 - Current
Linux DevOps Administrator
Monsanto Inc.
06.2014 - 12.2015
Linux System Administrator
Affinion Group
09.2013 - 04.2014
Masters in Economics And Finance - Business Economics
University of Karachi
05.2001 -
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