Senior HPC Systems Administrator

Starion; Frascati; Remote; EUR 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) ESRIN invites applications for a Senior HPC Systems Administrator to join its Frascati, Italy site. You will manage and evolve the HPC environment, ensuring reliability, security and performance for critical scientific workloads.

We require strong Linux administration experience, expertise with PBS Pro/Slurm, Lustre, InfiniBand and automation (Bash, Python, Ansible). Fluency in English is essential, with a collaborative, international mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field.
• Strong experience in Linux system administration, particularly Red Hat, CentOS or similar distributions, within production HPC or large-scale computing environments.
• Hands-on experience with HPC workload schedulers such as PBS Pro, Slurm or equivalent.
• Production experience with parallel filesystems (e.g. Lustre) and high-speed interconnects (e.g. InfiniBand).
• Proficiency in Bash, Python and Ansible for scripting and automation.
• Experience administering software licence servers, including FlexLM.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Experience working in classified, security-sensitive or highly regulated environments.
• Knowledge of GPU computing (CUDA, NVIDIA toolchains) and MPI stack management.
• Familiarity with HPC container technologies such as Apptainer.
• Experience with identity and access management systems like Keycloak, FreeIPA, Active Directory or Kerberos.

Responsibilities

• Administer, maintain and optimise HPC infrastructure (compute nodes, storage, interconnects, license servers).
• Ensure availability, reliability and performance via monitoring, patching, firmware updates and incident resolution.
• Configure and manage workload schedulers such as PBS Pro, Slurm.
• Manage HPC software stacks and user environments with Lmod, Spack or EasyBuild.
• Automate tasks using Bash, Python and Ansible to improve efficiency.
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues and coordinate with vendors.
• Maintain secure configurations and support security compliance reviews.
• Contribute to upgrades, optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Linux administration

English fluency

Teamwork & collaboration

Problem solving

Automation scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field

Tools

PBS Pro

Slurm

Lustre

InfiniBand

FlexLM

Lmod

Spack

EasyBuild

Bash

Python

Ansible

Apptainer

Keycloak

FreeIPA

Active Directory

Kerberos

CUDA

Job description

Senior HPC Systems Administrator

Location:Frascati , Italy

Application deadline: 14 November 2026

Reference number: 0599

Your Mission

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are looking for a Senior HPC Systems Administrator to join our team at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ESRIN site in Frascati, Italy . ESRIN plays a key role in Earth observation, managing and processing satellite data that supports the understanding and monitoring of our planet.

In this role, you will support the administration, operation and evolution of ESRIN’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) environment. Using your expertise in Linux administration, workload management and automation, you will help ensure the reliability, security and performance of critical computing infrastructure that supports ESA’s technical and scientific activities.

Tasks and Activities

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Administer, maintain and optimise HPC infrastructure, including compute nodes, parallel storage, high-speed interconnects and licence servers.
• Ensure system availability, reliability and performance through proactive monitoring, patching, firmware updates and incident resolution.
• Configure and manage workload schedulers such as PBS Pro, Slurm or equivalent solutions.
• Manage HPC software stacks and user environments using tools such as Lmod, Spack or EasyBuild.
• Automate operational tasks and workflows using Bash, Python and Ansible to improve efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues and coordinate with hardware and software vendors to resolve technical incidents.
• Maintain secure system configurations and support security compliance reviews.
• Contribute to infrastructure upgrades, optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

T he following skills and experience are mandatory :

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field.
• Strong experience in Linux system administration, particularly Red Hat, CentOS or similar distributions, within production HPC or large-scale computing environments.
• Hands‑on experience with HPC workload schedulers such as PBS Pro, Slurm or equivalent.
• Production experience with parallel filesystems (e.g. Lustre) and high‑speed interconnects (e.g. InfiniBand).
• Proficiency in Bash, Python and Ansible for scripting and automation.
• Experience administering software licence servers, including FlexLM.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Solution oriented mindset, with a customer focused communication skill.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• Experience working in classified, security-sensitive or highly regulated environments.
• Knowledge of GPU computing, including CUDA, NVIDIA toolchains and MPI stack management.
• Familiarity with HPC container technologies such as Apptainer.
• Experience with identity and access management systems, such as Keycloak, FreeIPA, Active Directory or Kerberos.

Why Make the Move?

• Make an impact where it matters. Contribute to high profile projects supporting organisations such as ESA, EUMETSAT, the European Commission, NATO and national defence programmes.
• Work alongside some of Europe’s brightest minds. Join an international team of experts who thrive on collaboration, innovation and solving complex challenges that deliver real-world results.
• Grow beyond a single project. Join a growing international organisation and broaden your experience across a variety of projects and technical disciplines.
• Invest in your future. Benefit from ongoing training, mentoring and professional development opportunities designed to support both your personal and professional growth.
• Join a company that puts people first. Guided by our values of Integrity, Inspiration, Care and Collaboration, we offer a supportive culture, flexible working arrangements.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation will be aligned with the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and responsibilities within the role. For positions based in Italy, employment terms and classification will be determined in accordance with the applicable CCNL framework, with the corresponding level assigned based on qualifications, professional experience, and role requirements.

The advertised salary and level range is intended based on the requirements as advertised here. We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds and experience levels, and any offer will be considered on an individual basis, taking into account qualifications, expertise, and overall suitability for the role.

Salary – €50,000.00 – €65,000.00 gross per year

CCNL Level: Level 1

CCNL Type : Commercio

Equal Opportunities

This position is open to protected categories under Italian Law 68/99 (Rules for the Right to Work of Disabled People)

Questa posizione è aperta alle categorie protette ai sensi della Legge 68/99.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.