Gemstone DevOps Engineer

The Linux/Windows Systems Administrator is responsible for the installation, configuration, administration, monitoring, maintenance, and optimisation of Linux servers hosting GemStone/S application environments. The role ensures the stability, security, performance, and availability of production, test, and development systems while working closely with application development teams, infrastructure teams. This is the primary DevOps role for the GemStone/S environment.

Responsibilities

Linux Server Administration

• Configure, and maintain Linux operating systems across development, test, pre-live, and production environments.
• Coordinate operating system upgrades, patching, and security updates with I&O and other stakeholders.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, groups, and access controls.
• Monitor and maintain storage, file systems, network services, and system services.
• Troubleshoot server, operating system, and infrastructure issues.

GemStone/S Administration

• Monitor and maintain GemStone/S environments.
• Configure and upgrade GemStone/S environments with senior devs.
• Monitor GemStone processes (stone, netldi, gem, and repository).
• Monitor user and bulk processes.
• Monitor GemStone backups, replication and recovery procedures.
• Monitor repository integrity checks and report repository-related issues.

Deploy Pipeline

• Monitor deployment pipelines and respond to issues.
• Support application deployments and environment configuration changes (Jenkins, git, Ansible, OS Scripts).
• Assist development teams with performance analysis and troubleshooting.

Monitoring and Performance Management

• Monitor server health, application availability, disk usage, memory utilisation, and system performance.
• Implement proactive monitoring and alerting mechanisms.
• Enhance observability by integrating with organisation tools (DataDog)

Security and Compliance

• Enforce Linux security standards and best practices.
• Manage SSH access, certificates, firewall configurations, and vulnerability remediation.
• Ensure compliance with company security policies and audit requirements.
• Participate in security reviews and incident response activities.

Backup, Recovery and Business Continuity

• Monitor daily restore procedures.
• Develop, maintain, and test backup and recovery procedures.
• Perform regular disaster recovery validation exercises.
• Ensure recovery time and recovery point objectives are met.
• Maintain documentation of recovery procedures.

Automation and DevOps Support

• Maintain and enhance automation scripts for administration and operational tasks (Jenkins and Ansible).
• Support CI/CD processes and deployment automation (Jenkins, Ansible, terragrunt and bat/bash).
• Implement configuration management and infrastructure-as-code practices where applicable.
• Improve operational efficiency through automation.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate technical documentation for systems, configurations, procedures, and support activities.
• Create and update operational runbooks and troubleshooting guides.
• Document architecture changes and system dependencies.

Support and Incident Management

• Support the investigation of production incidents.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement preventative measures.
• Work with internal teams to resolve complex issues.

AI

• Use approved AI-assisted tools to enhance coding, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation activities.
• Validate and apply appropriate governance to AI-generated outputs, ensuring quality, security, and compliance requirements are met.

Qualifications and experience

• Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Relevant Linux certifications will be advantageous.
• 5+ years of Linux systems administration experience.
• 2+ years supporting enterprise application platforms.
• Experience administering mission-critical production environments.
• Experience supporting GemStone/S environments is highly advantageous.

Technical Competencies Required

Linux Administration

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, or similar distributions.
• Shell scripting (Bash, Python, or similar).
• Systems, networking, storage management, and performance tuning.
• MQ configuration

Gemstone

• GemStone/S Skills will be advantageous
• Backup and recovery procedures.
• Performance monitoring and capacity planning.
• MFA integration - Client / tokens

Infrastructure

• Cloud platforms - AWS advantageous.
• TCP/IP networking.

Monitoring and Automation

• DataDog (Prometheus).
• Git version control.
• Ansible or similar automation tools.
• CI/CD tooling knowledge advantageous.

Behavioural Competencies

• Self-driven to learn.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of systems.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure during incidents.
• Collaborative team player with customer-focused attitude.