This is a contract opportunity. You will be employed by Magnit to work on assignment with GuideWell and subsidiary companies including Florida Blue. 

We are seeking an experienced IT Systems Engineer (Contractor) to support our enterprise-wide RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 migration project using Leapp. This role is part of a critical systems modernization initiative and requires strong expertise in RHEL systems, Leapp upgrade processes, and managing upgrades at scale. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, process-driven, and experienced in identifying and mitigating upgrade risks in enterprise environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute in-place upgrades from RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 using the Leapp tool across physical and virtual servers.
• Assess system readiness and compatibility, including applications, third-party tools, and kernel modules.
• Conduct pre-upgrade analysis, resolve blocking issues, and ensure systems meet Leapp prerequisites.
• Develop and follow upgrade checklists, testing procedures, and rollback plans.
• Collaborate with application owners, DBAs, and infrastructure teams to coordinate upgrade schedules and minimize disruption.
• Troubleshoot upgrade-related issues across system performance, services, SELinux, and network configurations.
• Automate repeatable upgrade processes where appropriate using Ansible or similar tools.
• Ensure upgrades align with internal security and compliance requirements.
•  Document upgrade activities, outcomes, and system changes.
• Use Remedy to track tasks, incidents, and changes related to the upgrade project.

Required Experience:
 

• 3-5+ years of Linux system administration experience, with a strong focus on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
•  Hands-on experience performing RHEL 7 to RHEL 8/9 upgrades using Leapp in enterprise environments.
• Strong understanding of RPM, system boot processes, GRUB, kernel modules, systemd, and SELinux.
• Experience identifying and remediating Leapp upgrade blockers and compatibility issues.
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Bash, Python) and automation with Ansible.
• Familiarity with system backup and recovery procedures, including snapshots, rsync, and LVM.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills across system, network, and service layers.
• Comfortable working independently and managing work in a remote, team-based environment.
• Experience using Remedy for ticketing and change management.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• RHCE or equivalent Red Hat certification.
• Experience in virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, Nutanix).
• Prior work on large-scale upgrade or migration projects in production environments.
• Previous experience as a contractor or consultant on IT infrastructure projects.
   

Required Education:
Related Bachelor's degree in an IT related field or relevant work experience

GuideWell and its family of companies has partnered with Magnit as its Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Employer of Record (EOR) since 2018. In May of 2025, GuideWell joined Magnit Direct Source to implement the GuideWell Contractor Cohort. This program is designed to create, manage and curate a contractor talent pool for temporary contract opportunities with GuideWell. As a contractor working on temporary assignment with GuideWell, you'll be employed by Magnit. You'll have the opportunity to work on temporary projects at GuideWell companies that make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying the benefits of being part of the Magnit team.