Linux Scientific Workstation Platform Lead

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology); Thuwal; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) invites applications for a Research User Computing Platforms Lead to guide Linux workstation architecture, provisioning, security, and lifecycle management. The role ensures high‑performance Linux workstations and remote services support faculty, researchers, and students across research and teaching activities.

While primary focus is Linux, you will supervise Windows and macOS engineers to ensure consistency and reliable service across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, engineering, or related field.
• Master’s degree in a relevant technical or management discipline preferred.
• Red Hat RHCE or LPIC, Puppet Certified Professional or equivalent configuration-management certs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set architecture and technical direction for KAUST’s Linux workstation fleet, including provisioning, patching, access control, and lifecycle management.
• Establish infrastructure-as-code, GitOps, automation standards for the Linux platform team; provide direction for Windows and macOS endpoints.
• Lead build‑vs‑buy decisions for provisioning tools, credentials management, observability, and fleet operations; document rationale and risks.
• Own design and continuous improvement of physical and remote workstation platforms to ensure secure, high‑performance access for users.
• Oversee platform operations, including bare‑metal and virtual provisioning, patch orchestration, inventory, drift detection, and service continuity.
• Own security and compliance posture, including host hardening, audit logging, and alignment with NIST 800-171 and CIS Benchmarks.
• Define hardware standards and lifecycle plans balancing research priorities with budget and user disruption.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Linux workstation platform team and other engineers; ensure clear roles and engineering practices.
• Serve as senior escalation point for complex platform, provisioning, and cross‑platform issues.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, vendors, and IT teams to translate needs into sustainable platform capabilities.
• Partner with network, IAM, storage, and advanced computing teams to deliver secure, compliant services.
• Provide regular updates to senior IT leadership on platform direction and investment needs.
• Perform other duties within the position’s scope as required.

Skills

Linux systems

Infrastructure as code

GitOps

Puppet/Ansible

Team leadership

Endpoint security

Vendor collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Master’s degree in technical/management discipline

Tools

Puppet

Ansible

Git

CI/CD for infrastructure

Job description

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) invites applications for a Research User Computing Platforms Lead to guide Linux workstation architecture, provisioning, security, and lifecycle management. The role ensures high‑performance Linux workstations and remote services support faculty, researchers, and students across research and teaching activities.

While primary focus is Linux, you will supervise Windows and macOS engineers to ensure consistency and reliable service across