Oracle Linux is no longer just part of the tech stack; it’s becoming the foundation for organisations running Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). For talent acquisition and workforce planning leaders, the shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Whether you're building out your cloud-native infrastructure or supporting complex edge deployments, your ability to attract and retain the right Oracle Linux and OCI talent could make or break your programme's success. Here’s what you need to know…
Oracle Linux: The Backbone of OCI
Oracle Linux is now the default operating system for OCI. From Autonomous Linux’s automated patching, to zero-downtime updates and exploit detection, it underpins some of the most secure and efficient enterprise workloads in the cloud today. In addition, with Premier & Extended Support included for OCI customers, there’s no barrier to scale securely.
This default status has shifted Oracle Linux from an ‘optional extra’ to a business-critical skillset. So if your cloud roadmap includes OCI, whether for internal systems or customer-facing platforms, you’ll need people who know how to manage, optimise, and support this environment, both pre-and post- deployment.
The Skills That Are Shaping the Talent Market
With OCI adoption seeing double-digit growth year-on-year, demand for skilled professionals is surging. According to UK market data, median salaries for Oracle Linux roles sit at £86,250 as of March 2025. In the previous year, that figure was £100,000.
Skills in-demand:
- Oracle Linux administration (including Autonomous Linux)
- Cloud infrastructure management (especially OCI, hybrid/multi-cloud)
- DevOps and automation (Terraform, Kubernetes, Ansible)
- Security and compliance (kernel patching, exploit detection)
- Edge computing (DPDK, eBPF, 5G virtualisation)
- High availability and distributed system design
Where the Demand is, and How to Compete
In the UK alone, there are more than 220 open OCI roles. The talent pool is growing, but not fast enough to meet the needs of enterprise businesses scaling their cloud operations.
Key regions such as Reading, London, and Belfast are emerging hotspots, with edge-focused roles increasingly offering remote or field-based working models.
Focus Areas for Hiring Strategy:
- Futureproof your cloud architecture: Build out cloud-native teams with hybrid cloud and Linux experience.
- Target DevOps crossover talent: Engineers already embedded in infrastructure or security roles can be reskilled to meet OCI needs.
- Lean into edge deployments: Roving Edge and Cloud@Customer rollouts require niche networking and remote cluster management expertise.
- Invest in certifications: Encourage Oracle Linux and OCI certifications to futureproof your team and retain top performers.
Roles You Should Be Hiring For
Whether you’re early in your OCI journey, or already scaling, these roles should be front-of-mind:
- Software Engineers: OCI architecture, provisioning, networking and scalability
- DevOps Engineers: CI/CD automation, infrastructure as code, service monitoring
- Edge Computing Specialists: Roving Edge deployments, low-latency infrastructure
- Security Operations Staff: Patch management, kernel-level security, compliance auditing
What to Do Next…
If Oracle Linux is foundational to Oracle Cloud, and OCI is foundational to your enterprise strategy, then your staffing model must evolve to match. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone.
At Focus on Fusion, we specialise in building Oracle-native teams across infrastructure, cloud, security, and edge computing. We know where to find the talent and how to attract them, and we know how to help you plan your hiring roadmap around the evolving Oracle tech landscape.
Ready to secure the right people to power your OCI growth? Get in touch with our team of Oracle recruitment specialists today.
