HPC Linux Systems Engineer

Overview

The National Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS) at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), which hosts several of the world's most powerful computer systems, is seeking a highly qualified individual to play a key role in improving the security, performance, and reliability of the NCCS computing environments. This includes supporting one of the fastest supercomputers in the world, Frontier, along with numerous commodity clusters and specialized programs and partnerships.

Frontier is one of the scientific research community's most powerful computational instruments for exploring solutions to some of today's most challenging problems.

As an HPC Linux Systems Engineer, you will work within the HPC Scalable Systems Group inside of the NCCS Systems Section to support numerous activities of the center. The Scalable Systems group oversees, administers and supports system installation, deployment, acceptance, performance testing, upgrades, problem diagnosis, and troubleshooting of large-scale HPC computational resources. The Systems Section is within the National Center for Computational Sciences Division (NCCS).

The HPC Systems Section is responsible for the division's computing, storage, networking, and infrastructure systems and services. NCCS provides state-of-the-art computational and data science infrastructure, coupled with dedicated technical and scientific professionals, to accelerate scientific discovery and engineering advances across a broad range of disciplines. NCCS hosts the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, one of DOE's National User Facilities.

• Install, integrate, and administer HPC Linux clusters and high-speed networks
• Diagnose system operational problems quickly and effectively
• Coordinate with vendors to resolve hardware and software problems
• Recommend, plan, and coordinate hardware and software changes with customer participation using change management processes
• Port and write system management tools
• Document system administration procedures for routine and complex tasks
• Participate in a 24‑hour, 7‑day on‑call support rotation and off‑hours maintenance windows
• Implement and integrate systems into the NCCS environment and perform systems performance analysis
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service

• Bachelor's Degree in a scientific or technical field
• 5+ years of Linux systems experience is required
• Demonstrated experience working in classified environments, including a thorough understanding of security policies, compliance frameworks, and associated standard processes (e.g., NIST, DISA STIGs)
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

• Experience managing Linux operating systems in a large‑scale system environment
• Solid understanding of networked computing environment concepts
• 5+ years of experience with Linux Cluster Administration
• Ability to develop and maintain programs and scripts that aid in the operation and automation of administrative tasks using various shell and scripting languages (bash, Python, Go)
• Experience with Lustre and GPFS file systems
• Experience with batch schedulers (particularly SLURM)
• Experience deploying and maintaining automated configuration management software such as Puppet
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work as a team player
• Proactive and solution‑oriented problem solver
• Prior project and/or team leadership experience

• Q clearance with SCI:
  This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre‑placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due to the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80‑year legacy of addressing the…