SUSE Linux Specialist

SUSE Linux Specialist
Whitehall Resources currently require an experienced SUSE Linux Specialist to work with a key client on and Ad Hoc basis
*Please note this is a 12 month contract offering Ad Hoc support**
Role Overview
Our client is seeking to build a small pool of three reliable SUSE Linux contractors who can be engaged flexibly for:
- Planned SUSE Linux OS upgrades, patching, and kernel updates ahead of major SAP system upgrades.
- General Linux support and maintenance for our external customers running various systems (many SAP-related, but not exclusively).
These contractors will support the SAP BASIS and internal IT teams remotely and become our primary Linux escalation point for both internal project work and billable customer tickets. All work is fully remote—no travel or on-site presence required.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, execute, test, and document SUSE Linux OS upgrades, service pack/patching, kernel updates, and related configuration changes on production SAP landscapes.
- Handle pre- and post-OS upgrade activities for SAP systems (file-system optimisation, parameter adjustments, compatibility checks).
- Provide general Linux support to customers: troubleshooting performance issues, security patching, user & access management, backup/recovery assistance, log analysis, etc.
- Collaborate remotely with the BASIS team during SAP upgrade projects to ensure smooth OS-layer delivery.
- Produce clear, concise technical documentation, run-books, and handover notes for the internal team or customer.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ hands-on administration of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES 12/15/16 preferred).
- Proven experience delivering major OS upgrades/patching on mission-critical production environments with minimal/no downtime.
- Strong knowledge of SUSE tools and ecosystem: YaST, zypper, transactional updates, SLE HA (if relevant), SaltStack, etc.
- Solid Linux fundamentals: performance monitoring (sar, vmstat, top, etc.), scripting (bash), security hardening, file-system management (LVM, Btrfs/XFS), networking basics.
- Excellent problem-solving and documentation skills.
- Comfortable working fully remotely with good communication (Teams/Email/Calls).
- UK right to work (or equivalent for remote contract work).
Nice-to-Haves
- Any exposure to SAP systems running on SUSE Linux (e.g., understanding of SAP-specific directories, SAPOSCOL, sapcontrol, HANA/ASE file-system needs)
- Experience with Linux clustering for SAP HANA installations (e.g., SUSE HA/Pacemaker setups with system replication, failover, and tools like SAPHanaSR)
- Experience supporting SAP-related Linux environments (even if not deep BASIS knowledge).
- Familiarity with common SAP-adjacent tools or monitoring (e.g., SAP Solution Manager integration points, Commvault/Veeam backups in Linux).
- SUSE certifications (SCA/SCE) or equivalent Red Hat/CentOS experience that transfers well to SUSE.
What We Offer
- Work from planned SAP OS upgrade projects plus growing demand for customer Linux support.
- Long-term framework partnership—we prefer to build ongoing relationships with reliable contractors.
- Direct remote collaboration with the SAP BASIS and internal IT teams.
- Fully remote engagement with flexible call-off scheduling.

Work arrangement
No