HPC Systems Administration Specialist

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a Systems Integration Admin/Support 2 for the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF). The role focuses on integrating software into the HPC ecosystem, managing environments with Spack, modules, and containers, and supporting researchers in high-performance computing settings.

You will collaborate with a cross-disciplinary team to design, build, and enhance HPC software stacks, addressing dependency conflicts and ensuring robust operation of the

Qualifications

• Strong background in Linux systems administration and HPC cluster management.
• Experience with Spack for software deployment, including building from source and resolving dependencies.
• Experience creating and managing programming environments using environment modules or containers (Singularity/Apptainer).
• Familiarity with version control systems for configurations and custom package definitions.
• Knowledge of CI pipelines and automation for HPC environments.
• Proficiency in Python for Spack package definitions and automation.
• Strong knowledge of build systems and compilers (Make, CMake, Autotools; GCC/Intel/LLVM).
• Ability to configure YAML-based files for Spack environments.
• Proficiency with Podman or similar container-based build environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with design, development, and advancement of the HPC environment for the ALCF.
• Focus on software integration within the larger software and operational ecosystem.
• Collaborate with researchers to refine user requirements and support scientific computing work.
• Help manage dependencies and resolve conflicts in Spack-managed stacks.
• Contribute to new HPC system designs, tools, and software stacks.

Skills

Linux systems administration

Spack

Environment modules / containers

version control

CI pipelines

Python scripting

Build systems & compilers

YAML configuration

Podman

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Lmod / Environment Modules

Singularity / Apptainer

Git

Podman

Job description

Argonne is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research facility, where world‑class researchers work alongside experts from industry, academia, and other government laboratories to address vital national challenges in technology and national security. As a member of the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) High Performance Computing (HPC) team, you will directly work with first‑class supercomputers and emergent technologies alongside scientific staff and research colleagues within the division. The selected individual will assist with the design, development, and advancement of the HPC environment of the ALCF. This position will focus on software integration with the larger software and operational ecosystem at the facility site. This position will be able to significantly contribute to the design and development of new HPC systems, tools, and software stacks.

Position Requirements

• Strong background in Linux systems administration, including cluster management, performance tuning, and resource allocation in HPC settings
• Experience with package managers like Spack for software deployment, including building from source, resolving dependencies, and maintaining multiple versions in a production HPC setting
• Experience creating and managing programming environments, such as environment modules (e.g., Lmod or Environment Modules) or containers (e.g. Singularity/Apptainer) to integrate libraries and SDKs like MPI, CUDA, BLAS, or FFTW
• Familiarity with version control systems for managing configurations and custom package definitions
• Knowledge of the installation, management, and the use of software such as compilers, scientific applications, and job resource managers
• Experience with CI pipelines
• Proficiency in scripting and programming languages such as Python (for Spack package definitions and automation)
• Strong knowledge of build systems (e.g., Make, CMake, Autotools) and compilers (e.g., GCC, Intel, LLVM) for handling dependencies in Spack‑managed stacks
• Ability to configure and use YAML‑based files for Spack environments
• Proficiency with podman or similar container‑based build environments
• Problem‑solving skills for debugging dependency conflicts
• Experience working in collaborative teams, including refining user requirements and supporting researchers in scientific computing settings
• Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork

To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract.

This position can be hired at one of two levels; the selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (PT2 or PT3) dependent upon the depth and breadth of relevant knowledge and skills. The minimum requirements for the two levels are as follows: PT2: Bachelors and 2+ years of experience, or equivalent. The expected hiring range for this position is $69,750 - $108,810 annually. PT3: Bachelors and 4+ years of experience, Masters and 2+ years, or equivalent. The expected hiring range for this position is $86,299 - $134,626 annually.

Job Family Professional Technical (PT) Job Profile Systems Integration Admin/Support 2 Worker Type Regular Time Type Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $69,750.00 - $108,810.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

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