HPC Linux Systems Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/onsite work options

Medical and retirement plans

Flexible work hours

Relocation assistance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory's NCCS seeks an HPC Linux Systems Engineer to support Frontier and other HPC environments, focusing on security, performance, and reliability. You will work in the Scalable Systems Group delivering installation, integration, testing, upgrades, problem diagnosis, and troubleshooting for large-scale HPC resources.

Responsibilities include 24/7 on-call rotation, coordinating with vendors, writing system management tools, and implementing changes within NCCS using

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a scientific or technical field.
• 5+ years of Linux systems experience.
• Experience in classified environments with security policies, including NIST and DISA STIGs.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Plan and coordinate hardware/software changes with customer participation using change management processes.
• Port and write system management tools.
• Document system administration procedures.
• Participate in a 24‑hour, 7‑day on‑call support rotation.
• Implement and integrate systems into NCCS environment and perform performance analysis.
• Deliver ORNL's mission aligned with core values.

Skills

Linux systems

Security policies

NIST/DISA STIGs

Lustre

GPFS

SLURM

Puppet

Scripting (bash, Python, Go)

Batch schedulers

Network concepts

Leadership

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a scientific or technical field

Tools

Lustre

GPFS

Puppet

SLURM

Bash

Python

Go

Job description

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.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• 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

Basic Qualifications

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

Special Requirement

• 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.

Benefits at ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80‑year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on‑site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

In addition, we offer a flexible work environment that supports both the organization and the employee. A hybrid/onsite working arrangement may be available with this position.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: [e-mail].

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third‑party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT‑Battelle is an E‑Verify employer.