Lobos System Adminstrator

Axle•Rockville, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Axle is seeking a Lobos System Adminstrator to support the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. The role supports the Linux-based high-performance computing infrastructure used by NHLBI’s Laboratory of Computational Biology for simulations, modeling, and scientific research. The administrator maintains the LoBoS cluster and associated systems, equipment, and services; installs and troubleshoots Linux operating systems and scientific applications; provisions and monitors network storage; performs security patching; and helps track technology upgrades needed to support scientific workflows. The position also provides operational and strategic support for LoBoS, including needs assessments, recommendations for infrastructure and process improvements, technology modernization research, budget and acquisition support, security and Authority to Operate (ATO) coordination, and collaboration with NIH staff, users, management, and other professionals. Work includes responding to inquiries, advising on complex operational issues, supporting projects and programs, and providing technical documentation, training, and professional development support. The advertised base compensation range is $110,000–$120,000 USD. Axle lists medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, paid time off and holidays, a 401(k) match, educational benefits, an employee referral bonus, and reimbursement or spending accounts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree; the listed fields of study include Computer Science and Mathematics and Computer Science.
At least five years of experience in Linux system administration and/or high-performance computing (HPC).
At least fourteen years of progressively responsible professional experience, including experience directing a major program, division, or operational unit. This requirement is repeated in the posting.
Familiarity with one or more scripting languages.
Expertise with Microsoft Office Suite and other business-analysis software and applications.
Demonstrated ability to conduct needs assessments and develop recommendations for improving operations.
Experience collaborating with technical and nontechnical professionals to develop recommendations for current and future initiatives.
Ability to advise management and staff on new strategies and sensitive or complex issues.
Experience developing and implementing proactive programs tailored to specific audiences.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.
Ability to work collaboratively, consultatively, and in a results-oriented environment with staff, management, and other professionals.
Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including investigating and responding to inquiries about policies and operational issues.
Advanced experience in strategy design, implementation, and evaluation.
Proven network troubleshooting skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with LDAP.
Experience with MPI.
Experience with virtualization and containers.
Experience with batch queuing systems such as Slurm.

Responsibilities

Maintain the LoBoS cluster in good working order and support the reliable operation of associated systems, equipment, and services.
Maintain the two physical LoBoS cluster spaces and coordinate facilities, hardware, and related operational requirements.
Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Linux operating systems, desktops, servers, hardware, and related infrastructure.
Support scientific application programs, scientific databases, programming languages, and tools.
Provision and monitor network storage systems.
Perform system security patching and other corrective actions to address known vulnerabilities.
Monitor system security, identify anomalies, research issues, and recommend or implement resolutions.
Conduct needs assessments and recommend improvements to LoBoS operations, infrastructure, and support processes.
Advise management and staff on sensitive, complex, or technically challenging LoBoS issues and recommend strategies for addressing them.
Track technology and research modernization, replacement, and upgrade requirements to ensure LoBoS continues to support scientific workflows.
Collaborate with NIH management, staff, users, and other professionals to implement improvements and resolve operational issues.
Support LoBoS Authority to Operate (ATO) activities with NIH staff and other technical and administrative professionals.
Support LoBoS maintenance and upgrade budgeting by researching requirements, evaluating alternatives, making recommendations, and assisting implementation.
Provide strategic management planning and execution, business management, process improvement, metric assessment, acquisition planning, program management, and governance support.
Collaborate on program development, contract management, Institute operations, and current and future initiatives.
Plan and implement solutions to address gaps and improve general management practices and the management of scientific projects and programs.
Develop and track project plans for prioritized initiatives and support alignment of proposed changes with service delivery and organizational development goals.
Help define target states for organizational processes, tools, and technology in response to evolving Institute needs and scientific and technological advances.
Develop and implement proactive programs and improvements tailored to LoBoS users and scientific workflows.
Respond to inquiries concerning LoBoS policies, security, operations, technology, and infrastructure.
Provide input on complex inquiries, conduct research on policies and operational issues, and provide creative counsel on data reporting and formatting.
Review budget spreadsheets and answer budget-related questions; conduct research in support of strategic planning and provide recommendations for management, risk assessment, and asset deployment.
Develop dynamic web-based and educational content and identify digital strategies and target audiences, translating strategies into user-friendly interfaces.
Lead or participate in working groups, meetings, conferences, audits, trainings, and site visits as needed.
Attend national scientific conferences to provide program information, present scientific reports, and identify potential collaborators.
Provide facilitation and training for staff and support technical documentation, professional development, and research activities related to LoBoS operations.
Deliver weekly validation runs and equipment inspections, and meet with lab members every two weeks to present updates.