HPC Architect - Classified Compute

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

The Field Intelligence Operations Division in the National Security Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking an experienced High Performance Computing (HPC) Architect to design, integrate, and evolve advanced computing capabilities supporting classified national security missions. The role serves as a senior technical authority for HPC architecture, translating mission and scientific computing requirements into secure, scalable, resilient, high-performing computing environments. The HPC Architect works across compute, storage, networking, cybersecurity, facilities, applications, and data center infrastructure. The successful candidate brings deep HPC expertise and systems-level architectural thinking to assess complex requirements, identify dependencies and tradeoffs, set architectural direction, and guide engineering teams from concept through deployment and sustainment. An active TS, Q, or TS/SCI clearance is required for consideration. The position also requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance and is subject to workplace substance-abuse testing, including pre-placement and random testing. Random polygraph testing may also apply. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information technology, computational science, or a related technical discipline, and at least 5 years of relevant experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Extensive experience designing, engineering, administering, or supporting HPC or large-scale Linux computing environments.
Demonstrated experience with several of the following: Linux-based HPC environments, CPU/GPU accelerated computing, HPC cluster architecture, high-speed interconnect technologies, parallel and distributed storage, workload management and scheduling, configuration and provisioning technologies, high-performance networking, data center infrastructure, and monitoring and performance engineering.
Demonstrated ability to develop system architectures spanning multiple infrastructure domains.
Experience translating technical and mission requirements into implementable architectures.
Active TS, Q, or TS/SCI clearance required for consideration.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance.
Pass a pre-placement drug test and participate in an ongoing random drug testing program; random polygraph testing may also apply due to SCI requirements.
Ability to work effectively in highly controlled environments requiring disciplined documentation and change control.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to explain complex technical concepts to technical teams, project managers, cybersecurity personnel, mission owners, and senior leadership.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple actions, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining accurate records.
Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive personnel and security matters.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary security and mission-support team.
Visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Experience with NVIDIA GPU platforms and accelerated computing technologies.
Familiarity with Slurm or comparable workload scheduling systems.
Experience with InfiniBand and/or high-performance Ethernet networking.
Experience with parallel file systems such as Lustre, Spectrum Scale/GPFS, or BeeGFS.
Experience with enterprise storage systems and data-management technologies.
Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux or comparable enterprise Linux platforms.
Familiarity with Ansible and infrastructure automation tools.
Experience with containerization technologies, including HPC container solutions and orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes.
Familiarity with HPC monitoring and telemetry technologies.
Experience supporting AI/ML infrastructure.
Experience with large-scale data movement and transfer technologies.
Familiarity with identity and access management within Linux/HPC environments.
Knowledge of high-availability and resilient infrastructure design.
Experience with data center design and infrastructure modernization.
Familiarity with security frameworks, policies, and compliance requirements, including NIST security controls, RMF, ICD 503, STIGs, FIPS, DOE and DoW security requirements, and classified-system accreditation processes.
Previous experience working in an SCI or SAP environment or supporting SCI operations.
Experience developing or maintaining SOPs, process documentation, metrics, or workflow improvements.
Demonstrated ability to provide responsive customer service while maintaining security and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

Develop end-to-end architectures for classified HPC and advanced computing environments, covering compute, storage, high-speed networking, management infrastructure, software, and supporting services.
Translate scientific, engineering, AI/ML, and national security mission requirements into scalable HPC architectures and technical roadmaps.
Lead the technical design and deployment of new HPC systems and related data center infrastructure.
Develop architecture diagrams, technical specifications, design packages, bills of material, capacity models, implementation strategies, and technology roadmaps.
Evaluate CPU, GPU, accelerator, memory, interconnect, storage, and emerging computing technologies against mission requirements.
Architect high-performance storage solutions, parallel file systems, data movement capabilities, and storage hierarchies for large-scale computational workloads.
Design and evaluate high-speed network fabrics and interconnects for compute, storage, management, and data transfer.
Establish architectural standards for HPC management networks, provisioning, scheduling, monitoring, logging, configuration management, and administration.
Evaluate HPC workload characteristics and develop capacity, scalability, performance, and lifecycle projections.
Conduct architectural trade studies and recommend solutions based on performance, security, resiliency, lifecycle, cost, schedule, and mission impact.
Coordinate with facilities and data center personnel on rack space, power, cooling, cabling, floor loading, redundancy, and environmental requirements.
Develop technical procurement requirements and participate in vendor evaluations, technical reviews, acceptance testing, and system commissioning.
Provide architectural oversight during installation, integration, testing, accreditation, transition to operations, and lifecycle refresh activities.
Partner with cybersecurity and Information Assurance personnel to integrate security requirements into system architecture from initial design.
Support Risk Management Framework (RMF), Authority to Operate (ATO), configuration management, vulnerability management, and security-control implementation activities.
Ensure architectures address applicable classified-environment security requirements, including segmentation, least privilege, privileged access, encryption, logging, auditing, and supply-chain considerations.
Collaborate with systems engineers, Linux engineers, network architects, storage engineers, cybersecurity professionals, DevSecOps engineers, application teams, scientists, and mission stakeholders.
Establish reference architectures, engineering standards, technical patterns, and reusable designs for classified computing environments.
Lead or participate in design reviews, architecture review boards, technical interchange meetings, readiness reviews, and troubleshooting efforts.
Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary HPC projects.
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investments that improve computational capability, reliability, security, maintainability, and mission effectiveness.
Align work and interactions with ORNL's core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service, and promote equal opportunity through a respectful workplace.