HPC/AI Performance Specialist

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

1d • $158,808 - $267,996 • Hybrid

About The Position

The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Berkeley Lab seeks enthusiastic engineers to join the NERSC Science Acceleration Program (NESAP). You will collaborate with scientific teams to enable the solution of deep, meaningful problems across all program areas funded by the Department of Energy Office of Science under DOE’s Project Genesis mission. NERSC provides world-class supercomputing, high performance, scalable data systems and services to 10,000 users across a wide range of scientific disciplines. NERSC’s science impact is acknowledged by over 2000 publications per year. The Challenge: Enabling advanced science at scale on supercomputers. In 2027, NERSC will deploy its next generation HPC system “Doudna” - a system optimized for science workflows involving modelling and simulation, AI and experimental data analysis. The system includes next-generation NVIDIA Vera-Rubin superchips, a high-speed interconnect, and an all-flash VAST file system. NESAP is about employing cutting-edge computational science techniques and advanced performance analysis tools to develop highly scalable, capable and performance complex workflows to meet exciting challenges in Simulation, Data Analysis, and Machine Learning on Doudna and future NERSC supercomputing systems. We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Requirements

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8 years of related experience; or 6 years of experience and a Master’s degree; or and equivalent combination of education and equivalent experience.
• Wide-ranging experience in the areas of data management, storage and I/O as applied to scientific data.
• Experience with the development and performance optimization of scientific software in the HPC or AI context, including algorithms design or applied mathematics.
• Contributions to scientific and/or open source software projects, public code repositories, publication record.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways.
• Ability to network and collaborate with key contacts outside their own area of expertise.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent software development skills.
• Proven ability to work productively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team balancing divergent objectives involving research, code development, supporting software and consulting with scientists.
• Broad expertise and/or unique knowledge in the areas of data management, storage and I/O as applied to scientific data is required.
• Ability to work on and resolve significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with HPC/AI architectures and technologies.
• A proven track record of software development in computing, AI, or domain sciences.
• Familiarity with computing hardware, CPU/GPU architecture, and HPC systems.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with NERSC staff and code teams to port and optimize software for the Doudna system and future platforms.
• Develop and refine advanced workflows, algorithms, and models with domain experts for HPC applications.
• Research and leverage NERSC’s integrated HPC/AI/data ecosystem.
• Support widely used scientific workflows on NERSC systems.
• Provide performance engineering expertise, training, and user support.
• Stay current with AI/HPC advancements through community engagement.
• Help evaluate and shape future supercomputing technologies.
• Partner with scientists and industry to drive impactful research.
• Lead or coordinate work on complex projects, applying sound judgment and advanced analysis.
• Mentor early-career staff in computing techniques and projects.
• Track emerging HPC/AI trends and translate them into opportunities for NERSC users.
• Develop strategies to balance performance and productivity for the science community.
• Resolve complex, ambiguous issues using advanced analysis and independent judgment.

Benefits

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

What This Job Offers

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