System Administrator Jobs in Tennessee
System Administrator jobs in Tennessee are steadily active, concentrated in healthcare IT, logistics, manufacturing technology, and state government, with openings at every level from entry-level help desk to senior infrastructure engineer. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville anchor most of the hiring, where large employers like HCA Healthcare, FedEx, and the Tennessee Valley Authority consistently need system administrators to maintain networks, servers, and cloud infrastructure. Specialties drawing the strongest demand include Windows Server and Active Directory administration, VMware virtualization, and cybersecurity operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The University of Tennessee Office of Innovative Technologies seeks a Senior Linux Systems Administrator to support Linux system automation, security, and infrastructure for academic and student information systems.
The Senior Linux Systems Administrator independently designs, administers, and supports complex Linux systems, networks, and databases that enable academic applications, the Student Information System, and related services. This role provides technical leadership for large-scale implementations, upgrades, security and vulnerability management, infrastructure automation, and operational reliability. The position serves as a subject-matter expert, leads service-area work, and provides work direction and mentorship to junior staff.
- Administer and maintain Linux operating systems, including security patches, kernel updates, OS enhancements, package repositories, compatibility, and performance monitoring.
- Implement and enforce security best practices, including SSH hardening, Ansible playbooks for system automation, firewall rules, security policies, secure configurations, vulnerability scanning, remediation, and configuration compliance.
- Provision, configure, and maintain Linux servers supporting Academic LAMP services and other applications.
- Deploy, configure, and maintain Linux virtual machines in Hyper-V, Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and other supported virtualization platforms.
- Maintain high availability, clustering, reliability, and failover strategies for supported services.
- Create, manage, and audit user accounts, roles, permissions, and access to applications and underlying Linux systems.
- Support Student Information System infrastructure, including server installation, patching, upgrades, performance tuning, and decommissioning.
- Advance infrastructure automation and AI-driven security enhancements, including Ansible-based provisioning, patch management, configuration-drift prevention, secure baseline enforcement, and automated vulnerability remediation.
- Standardize deployment workflows for core application stacks to improve consistency, efficiency, security, and lifecycle management.
- Lead and contribute to large-scale projects, implementations, and upgrades; mentor and train junior staff; and provide project leadership and work direction.
Required Qualifications
Education : Associate’s degree in computer science or a related field.
Experience : 10 years of direct Linux administration experience with an associate’s degree, or 14 years of direct Linux administration experience without the degree.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Strong Linux systems administration knowledge, including scripting and Ansible.
- Knowledge of backup and recovery procedures.
- Working knowledge of networking, identity-management tools, load balancing, DNS, and DHCP.
- General computer hardware knowledge.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to support customers with a broad range of system and application issues.
- Ability to work effectively with others and independently manage priorities, deadlines, and complex technical work.
- Project Management and Junior staff mentoring
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications
Education : Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
Experience : 10 years in Experience supporting enterprise academic or student information systems and highly available Linux application environments.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Knowledge of Azure and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
- Knowledge of Ellucian Banner applications and supporting infrastructure.
- Experience with AI-assisted operations or security engineering capabilities, including Ansible Lightspeed or AI Ops tools.
Work Location
Location: Knoxville TN
Remote
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: M16
Anticipated hiring range: $100,000
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
Resume
Cover Letter
The University of Tennessee Office of Innovative Technologies seeks a Senior Linux Systems Administrator to support Linux system automation, security, and infrastructure for academic and student information systems.
The Senior Linux Systems Administrator independently designs, administers, and supports complex Linux systems, networks, and databases that enable academic applications, the Student Information System, and related services. This role provides technical leadership for large-scale implementations, upgrades, security and vulnerability management, infrastructure automation, and operational reliability. The position serves as a subject-matter expert, leads service-area work, and provides work direction and mentorship to junior staff.
- Administer and maintain Linux operating systems, including security patches, kernel updates, OS enhancements, package repositories, compatibility, and performance monitoring.
- Implement and enforce security best practices, including SSH hardening, Ansible playbooks for system automation, firewall rules, security policies, secure configurations, vulnerability scanning, remediation, and configuration compliance.
- Provision, configure, and maintain Linux servers supporting Academic LAMP services and other applications.
- Deploy, configure, and maintain Linux virtual machines in Hyper-V, Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and other supported virtualization platforms.
- Maintain high availability, clustering, reliability, and failover strategies for supported services.
- Create, manage, and audit user accounts, roles, permissions, and access to applications and underlying Linux systems.
- Support Student Information System infrastructure, including server installation, patching, upgrades, performance tuning, and decommissioning.
- Advance infrastructure automation and AI-driven security enhancements, including Ansible-based provisioning, patch management, configuration-drift prevention, secure baseline enforcement, and automated vulnerability remediation.
- Standardize deployment workflows for core application stacks to improve consistency, efficiency, security, and lifecycle management.
- Lead and contribute to large-scale projects, implementations, and upgrades; mentor and train junior staff; and provide project leadership and work direction.
Required Qualifications
Education : Associate’s degree in computer science or a related field.
Experience : 10 years of direct Linux administration experience with an associate’s degree, or 14 years of direct Linux administration experience without the degree.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Strong Linux systems administration knowledge, including scripting and Ansible.
- Knowledge of backup and recovery procedures.
- Working knowledge of networking, identity-management tools, load balancing, DNS, and DHCP.
- General computer hardware knowledge.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to support customers with a broad range of system and application issues.
- Ability to work effectively with others and independently manage priorities, deadlines, and complex technical work.
- Project Management and Junior staff mentoring
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications
Education : Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
Experience : 10 years in Experience supporting enterprise academic or student information systems and highly available Linux application environments.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Knowledge of Azure and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
- Knowledge of Ellucian Banner applications and supporting infrastructure.
- Experience with AI-assisted operations or security engineering capabilities, including Ansible Lightspeed or AI Ops tools.
Work Location
Location: Knoxville TN
Remote
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: M16
Anticipated hiring range: $100,000
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
Resume
Cover Letter
See All 9 System Administrator Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find System Administrator JobsSystem Administrator Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
System Administrator Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in system administrator jobs across Tennessee.
- CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+ certification preferred or required by most Tennessee employers
- Hands-on experience administering Windows Server, Active Directory, and Group Policy environments
- Proficiency managing virtualization platforms, primarily VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V
- Experience supporting cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure or AWS in hybrid environments
- Associate or bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field
- Familiarity with network fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and firewall configuration
System Administrator Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a system administrator in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not require a state-issued license to work as a system administrator, so the path runs through education and certification. Most employers hire candidates with an associate or bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science paired with industry credentials such as CompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, or VMware certifications. Starting in a help desk or IT support role at a Tennessee hospital system, university, or logistics company is a common and reliable entry route.
How much do system administrators make in Tennessee?
System administrators in Tennessee earn a median of about $88,100 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,530 for the lowest 10% to over $128,920 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire system administrators in Tennessee?
Employers hiring system administrators in Tennessee right now include BNH, HEXPOL, and MCPc, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's concentration of large healthcare networks, distribution centers, and state government agencies means consistent year-round demand across both enterprise and mid-market IT teams.
Which Tennessee cities have the most system administrator jobs?
Dyersburg, Smyrna, and Cordova are the Tennessee cities with the most system administrator openings. Nashville drives the largest share thanks to its dense healthcare IT sector and corporate headquarters, while Memphis benefits from major logistics and supply chain operations, and Knoxville draws on University of Tennessee and Tennessee Valley Authority infrastructure needs.
Are there remote system administrator jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based tech roles because system administration often requires hands-on access to on-site servers, network hardware, and end-user equipment. About 100% of system administrator openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the role's operational nature. Cloud-focused and monitoring-heavy positions are the most likely to offer remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a system administrator in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an IT support or help desk role at a Tennessee hospital system, university, or large manufacturer, where internal promotion into system administration is common. HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Tennessee state agencies run IT associate programs that train candidates without prior infrastructure experience. Earning CompTIA A+ and Network+ before applying gives candidates a measurable edge, and volunteering to handle server or backup tasks in a support role accelerates the transition.
Where can I find and apply to system administrator jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to system administrator jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Find roles that fit your experience level and location preference and apply directly to each one.
See All 9 System Administrator Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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