HPC System Administrator

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

1d • $129,000 - $161,265

About The Position

The High-Performance Computing (HPC) System Administrator is an expert, hands-on role responsible for the design, configuration, optimization, and operation of the organization's high-performance computing infrastructure. This individual will focus on advanced system optimization, complex troubleshooting, and strategic planning for future infrastructure enhancements across compute, storage, and high-speed interconnects (InfiniBand). A key responsibility is to mentor and cross-train existing system administrators, building the team’s collective HPC expertise, strengthening shared support capabilities, and ensuring long-term operational resilience and efficiency. The HPC Systems Administrator is a member of the Enterprise Systems team within the Cyberinfrastructure Technologies department. The incumbent works with the other Cyberinfrastructure teams - Network and Telecommunications, Enterprise Applications, and the Information Security Office - and other campus divisions in coordinating services, providing support and providing appropriate guidance. This incumbent will also work with University vendors and partners. The HPC Systems Administrator will have a passion for providing excellent customer service, and a focus on continual improvement across all units; a commitment to supporting innovative infrastructure technologies; and a desire to identify and deliver the best possible technology resources and services to meet the needs of the campus community.

Requirements

• General Knowledge of information technology, campus technology, and information security issues and trends in higher education, and ability to continually develop new knowledge regarding the same.
• Ability to listen and understand customer needs.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate customer service initiatives.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, as either a member or leader of a team, to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
• Ability to manage a diverse workforce to provide excellent customer service.
• Self-motivated and shows initiative.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven track record in project planning and project management.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and engage in critical thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a busy (sometimes chaotic) and demanding information services environment.
• Ability to explain technical issues and policies to non-technical people.
• Ability to give presentations on technical issues to a broad range of audiences.
• Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with faculty, administrators, students, senior management, and other leaders.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with diplomacy and the ability to mediate between competing parties.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Must possess impeccable integrity.
• Ability to speak truth to power.
• Appreciation for the University’s mission, vision, values, priorities, procedures, and policies.
• Position-specific Knowledgeable and experienced in large-scale computer center operations with multiple systems running Linux and Windows with Server operating systems
• Experience with managing and operating SAN storage environments
• Strong proficiency in the management of multi-platform hardware and software environments including Microsoft, Linux (Red Hat).
• Experience with configuration management tools such as Ansible and Warewulf
• Experience with Slurm and job scheduling
• Strong proficiency with scripting languages (Python, Bourne Shell, Perl, etc.)
• Experience with compiling software packages and managing software modules in a HPC (EasyBuild, Lmod)
• Experience with racking servers and adding PCI cards
• Experience with LDAP and DNS
• Experience with parallel file systems
• Experience with Infiniband networks
• The University technology environment is very dynamic and challenging. A person with a wide breadth of experience and who can adapt to changes working in a complex technology infrastructure environment is sought.
• Experience with vSphere, ESXi
• Experience in using and configuring system monitoring tools
• Experience with enterprise Backups
• Experience with cloud providers
• Skilled technical troubleshooter. Must be able to analyze and solve complex problems.
• Knowledgeable in the use of a personal computer and standard productivity tools
• Experience interacting and working with other people in a successful customer service capacity
• Industry trends in enterprise infrastructure/data center technology including: automation tools, cloud technology, disaster recovery, virtualization, networking, security and other pertinent areas.
• Experience with Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, team environment
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask
• Must be a “self-starter” and show initiative to proactively identify and resolve problems
• Must have the ability to acquire and apply new skills quickly
• Strong customer service orientation
• Understands the role of enterprise computing in University business processes
• Works under limited supervision
• Bachelor’s degree in a directly applicable field of study (Computer or Electrical Engineering, Math/Computer Science, Operations and Management Information Science)
• 8+ years applicable experience in the operation, maintenance, support and design of enterprise-wide computer center systems with demonstrated increasing responsibilities
• 2+ years of experience supporting an HPC required, including experience in Slurm or similar workload manager; InfiniBand or similar high speed interconnect; and Lustre or similar parallel file system.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Degree preferred in directly applicable field of study or a field of management
• Experience working for the needs of Higher Education or research organizations is desirable

Responsibilities

• HPC Infrastructure Management and Optimization
• Workload Management and System Deployment
• Team Development and Strategic Planning
• Coordination and Collaboration
• Resource Planning
• Service Delivery
• Service Optimization
• Communication
• Operations
• Other duties as assigned by the Manager of Enterprise Systems and IS leadership.

Benefits

• Santa Clara University offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

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