HPC Lead Systems Administrator

King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology is seeking a Lead for the Linux HPC cluster overseeing 300+ GPU/CPU compute nodes, parallel filesystems, and a high-performance network. The role blends technical leadership with people management, supervising 3-4 HPC system administrators and shaping SOPs for the system and the team.

You will drive operations, workload policy, filesystem support, and network administration while mentoring staff, coordinating major projects, and engaging with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant discipline.
• Extensive professional experience in HPC or equivalent environments.
• Strong leadership, communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• System operation and upgrade planning to meet laboratory and customer requirements.
• Workload scheduler policy development and implementation.
• Support of high-performance filesystems.
• Network infrastructure management including TCP/IP and HPC networks.
• Use of scripting languages for nodes automation and configuration management.
• Manage hardware failures and spare parts; mentor staff and lead projects.

Skills

Bash

Python

Ruby

Project management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant discipline

Tools

SLURM

Puppet

Job description

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Company: King Abdullah University of Science & Technology

Position Summary

Serve as the Lead for the team ensuring smooth operation of the Linux cluster consisting of 300+ GPU/CPU compute nodes including parallel filesystems and high-performance network. This is partly technical and partly people leading role which involves supervision of 3-4 experienced HPC system administrators. The role involves development, implementation and supervision of standard operating procedures for the system and the team.

Major Responsibilities

• System operation and upgrade planning to meet laboratory and customer requirements
• Workload scheduler policy development and implementation
• Support of high-performance filesystems
• Network infrastructure management including TCP/IP and HPC networks
• Use of scripting languages for nodes automation and configuration management
• Hardware failures and spare part management
• Build effective relationships with staff, faculty and students through the Core Labs
• Manages multiple or significant projects which may require the use of sophisticated project planning techniques
• Plans, schedules, conducts, or coordinates detailed phases of the work of a major project or in a total project of moderate scope
• Identifies technical training needs for staff attached to the area
• Serve as a resource and as a member to respond to security and safety incidents
• Creates opportunities to enhance technical methodology or content through expansion of existing, or development of, new efforts; may extend technology into new application areas; contributes or leads in major intellectual development activities
• Provides innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities; uses peer network to expand technical capabilities and identify new research opportunities
• Understands broad strategic objectives and contributes to them; nurtures and maintains relationships with major customers
• May initiate new project concepts; develops technical proposals and makes presentations to potential customers
• Will supervise several scientists, engineers or technicians on assigned work; provides major input to staffing of overall project teams; builds teams and staff to optimize efficiency and cost effectiveness
• Identifies and evaluates candidates for open positions; mentors/trains staff in development of technical, project and business development skills
• TCP/IP and high performance networks (Infiniband)
• Proficient in scripting languages (i.e. Bash, Python, Ruby)
• Familiar with configuration management tools (Puppet)
• Will have working level contact with users and suppliers
• Demonstrates an analytical and systematic approach to problem solving
• Takes the initiative in identifying and negotiating appropriate development opportunities
• Demonstrates effective communication skills in written and oral English
• Works effectively with other teams in the Supercomputing Laboratory
• Plans, schedules and monitors own work (and that of others) competently within limited deadlines and according to relevant legislation and procedures
• Ability to work successfully in a highly collaborative research environment
• Uses discretion in identifying and resolving complex problems and assignments
• Performs a broad range of work, sometimes complex and non-routine, in a variety of environments
• Maintain expert-level knowledge in most of the laboratory systems, including high performance computing systems administration, high performance storage administration, or high performance network administration

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline plus 10 years’ experience, OR Master of Science (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline plus 7 years’ experience OR Doctor of Philosophy (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline plus 5 years’ experience.