High-Performance Computer (HPC) Systems Engineer Lead

Nextonic Solutions LLC • Rockville, MD

2d

About The Position

This role focuses on ensuring the performance, security, and reliability of High-Performance Computer (HPC) and cloud infrastructure to support mission objectives. The lead engineer will be responsible for designing, deploying, and managing these environments, integrating user-facing platforms, and optimizing GPU-enabled compute resources. A strong understanding of cloud infrastructure, automation tools, system monitoring, and federal security requirements is essential.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience designing, deploying, and managing HPC environments utilizing technologies such as OpenHPC, Warewulf, and Slurm.
• Proven capability to lead operations of mission-critical HPC and cloud-based infrastructure supporting scientific research workloads.
• Experience integrating user-facing platforms (e.g., JupyterHub) with HPC systems to enable secure, interactive computing access.
• Demonstrated expertise in cloud infrastructure, including AWS environments supporting large-scale research initiatives (e.g., STRIDES or equivalent).
• Proficiency in infrastructure automation and configuration management using tools such as Terraform, Ansible, and Packer.
• Experience implementing system monitoring and performance analytics tools (e.g., XDMoD or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to design and optimize GPU-enabled compute environments for high-performance workloads.
• Experience applying security best practices, including system hardening aligned with CIS benchmarks and use of compliance tools (e.g., OpenSCAP or equivalent).
• Knowledge of Federal security requirements, including Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes.
• Educational background in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in systems lifecycle management, including patching, upgrades, and configuration control.
• Proven ability to support collaborative, multi-institutional computing environments and initiatives.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the performance, security, and reliability of HPC and cloud infrastructure in support of NCATS mission objectives.
• Design, deploy, and manage HPC environments utilizing technologies such as OpenHPC, Warewulf, and Slurm.
• Lead operations of mission-critical HPC and cloud-based infrastructure supporting scientific research workloads.
• Integrate user-facing platforms (e.g., JupyterHub) with HPC systems to enable secure, interactive computing access.
• Manage cloud infrastructure, including AWS environments supporting large-scale research initiatives (e.g., STRIDES or equivalent).
• Implement infrastructure automation and configuration management using tools such as Terraform, Ansible, and Packer.
• Implement system monitoring and performance analytics tools (e.g., XDMoD or equivalent).
• Design and optimize GPU-enabled compute environments for high-performance workloads.
• Apply security best practices, including system hardening aligned with CIS benchmarks and use of compliance tools (e.g., OpenSCAP or equivalent).
• Support Federal security requirements, including Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes.
• Manage systems lifecycle, including patching, upgrades, and configuration control.
• Support collaborative, multi-institutional computing environments and initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior