Join to apply for the Principal Engineer - UNIX/LINUX Administrator role at NHS National Services Scotland.
As part of the IT Strategic Business Unit, NSS Infrastructure services has direct responsibility for over 400 servers running over 250 different applications, and for processing over 100 million records per year.
About The Organisation
National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating at the heart of NHS Scotland, providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver services more efficiently and effectively, offering shared services on a national scale using best‑in‑class systems and standards. Our priority is to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland, working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit‑for‑purpose solutions and systems.
The Post
The team is split into four areas of expertise – Microsoft, Unix, Cloud and Oracle Database Administration.
The Candidate
An opportunity has become available within our Server team for an experienced Unix/Linux engineer. The successful candidate will be part of a small group of technicians supporting more than 100 physical and virtual servers primarily running Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Solaris, with attached storage arrays. The servers run a variety of applications including Oracle databases, WebLogic, Apache and Tomcat.
* Solaris and Red Hat server management
* VMware vCenter Server up to version 8.0
* Storage management experience with Pure, NetApp and Nimble (advantageous)
* Experience of LDAP technologies
* Web and application servers – mainly Apache and Tomcat
Also advantageous: experience working in a hybrid cloud environment, especially Microsoft Azure; experience of container technologies such as Docker; and automation tools such as Ansible.
The postholder will work within the IT Infrastructure Server team with responsibility for the Unix/Linux infrastructure and the technologies used within NSS.
Tasks Will Include
* Perform server administration tasks including installing software; patching and maintaining servers; managing users and security; server backups and recovery; monitoring systems; deploying and managing servers in physical, virtual and cloud environments.
* Provide technical support to users throughout NSS, resolving problems within agreed timescales by using an analytical approach to identify causes and prevent recurrence.
* Manage the progression of multiple tasks where unexpected events may require task switching, e.g., virus attack or system failure.
* Ensure departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standards are followed.
* Liaise with business users to gather information on technical requirements or issues, providing clear technical advice.
* Keep up‑to‑date with new and emerging technologies through research and development.
* Liaise closely with colleagues in IT and third‑party suppliers to optimise service delivery and maintain two‑way communication.
Location and Working Pattern
Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Delta House, Glasgow. Currently hybrid working. Monday‑Friday, 37 hours per week. A condition of employment is that you must be a resident of the UK.
Benefits
Pension scheme, comprehensive work‑life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres, and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits.
Inclusion
NHS National Services Scotland is committed to diversity and inclusion. Flexible working creates an inclusive workplace. NSS offers learning and development opportunities, staff networks, and guarantees interviews for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. As a Disability Confident Leader, NSS provides a fully accessible recruitment service and reasonable adjustments upon request.
Further Information
For an informal discussion, please contact Paul McKinlay, Infrastructure S MT via email.
Closing date for completed applications is Friday 28 November 2025.
Further information about NSS is available at https://www.nss.nhs.scot/.
NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and, as a committed participant in the Disability Confident Scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.
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