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Linux System Administrator / DevOps Engineer

  • Hybrid
    • Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Job description

About ZDHC

The ZDHC Foundation develops and implements the Roadmap to Zero Programme with a focus on reducing the chemical footprint of the Fashion Industry. We are the leading sustainability organisation driving sustainable chemistry, innovations, and best practices in textile, apparel, leather, and footwear manufacturing to protect consumers, workers,s and the environment.   Through collaborative engagement,   alignment, and large-scale implementation, we take a holistic approach to sustainable chemical management and enable tangible progress in the wider industry through the delivery of guidelines, platforms, and solutions, including capacity building and innovation projects. For more information about ZDHC, see www.roadmaptozero.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Vision & Mission

The ZDHC Vision is a World in which better chemistry leads to the protection of life, land, air and water. The ZDHC Mission is to lead our global value chain to achieve the highest standard for sustainable chemical management, driving resource efficiency and circularity.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Linux System Administrator / DevOps Engineer to manage, maintain, and continuously improve our IT infrastructure.

The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience with Linux environments, infrastructure automation, virtualization, CI/CD pipelines, and IT security.

The role requires someone who can independently manage infrastructure, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and ensure the reliability, performance, and security of our systems.

Key Responsibilities

Linux Infrastructure & System Administration

• Install, configure, maintain, and optimize Linux servers (Debian/Ubuntu). • Manage physical and virtualized infrastructure, including Proxmox.
• Maintain DNS, networking, storage, and related infrastructure services.
• Ensure high availability, stability, and performance of production systems.

DevOps & Automation

• Automate infrastructure provisioning and configuration using Ansible.
• Design, implement, and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI or GitHub Actions.
• Support automated builds, testing, deployments, rollbacks, and environment management. • Manage deployment processes for Laravel-based applications.
• Work with Docker and containerized application environments.

Security & Compliance

• Implement and maintain Linux security best practices.
• Manage security updates, vulnerability assessments, and patch management.
• Configure and maintain firewalls, secure access controls, and intrusion detection systems. • Identify infrastructure vulnerabilities and proactively mitigate security risks.
• Support security audits and compliance requirements.

Monitoring, Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Monitor infrastructure availability, performance, and resource utilization.
• Investigate incidents, troubleshoot performance issues, and perform root cause analysis. • Implement and maintain reliable backup and recovery procedures.
• Support disaster recovery planning and operational resilience.

Collaboration & Documentation

• Work closely with software developers, technical teams, and external service providers.
• Maintain clear documentation of infrastructure configurations and operational procedures. • Communicate technical risks, incidents, and improvement recommendations.

Job requirements

Required Qualifications

• Proven professional experience in Linux system administration.
• Strong knowledge of Debian/Ubuntu Linux environments.
• Practical experience with Ansible and infrastructure automation.
• Experience with Proxmox or comparable virtualization technologies.
• Good understanding of networking, DNS, firewalls, and system security. • Experience implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines.

• Knowledge of backup, disaster recovery, and monitoring solutions.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical infrastructure. • Good English communication skills.

Additional Skills (Nice to Have)

• Experience with Laravel/PHP application deployments.
• Knowledge of Docker and container orchestration.
• Experience with MySQL, Redis, and web server technologies.
• Familiarity with high-availability environments and infrastructure scalability. • Experience with ISO 27001 or similar IT security frameworks.
• Experience with cloud and hybrid infrastructure environments.

What We Offer

• An international and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to work on business-critical digital platforms.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A high degree of technical ownership and responsibility.
• Opportunities for professional development and certifications.
• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.

We are looking for a proactive, technically strong individual who takes ownership of infrastructure stability and security and enjoys improving systems through automation and modern DevOps practices.

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