Operations Manager - HPC

Xcel Engineering•Oak Ridge, TN

10d

About The Position

XCEL Engineering is seeking a qualified applicant for a Technical Operations Manager role. The TOM will serve as a key contributor to the success of project research initiatives by managing and advancing technical operations at a project level. This role involves close collaboration with the project's Principal Investigator (PI), oversight of high-performance computing (HPC) and storage infrastructure, and facilitation of user onboarding and offboarding. The ideal candidate will bring technical expertise, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to supporting project research computing environments.

Requirements

United States citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance.
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, IT Operations Management, or a related field.
A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong technical knowledge of information systems management and systems architecture.
Proven ability to gather and interpret system requirements for complex research projects.
Ability to direct HPC technical work.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with staff, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills that support collaboration, leadership, and team building.

Nice To Haves

IT project management experience.
Experience working in a research or technical environment.
Motivated self-starter who works independently and participates creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Responsibilities

Maintain and advance technical operational duties across research projects, ensuring alignment with evolving scientific needs.
Collaborate with the project PI to manage and fulfill data requirements for research teams.
Lead the facilitation of technical onboarding and offboarding for users and projects, ensuring seamless transitions.
Manage the full hardware lifecycle, including provisioning and decommissioning of storage-as-a-service and HPC clusters.
Provide technical recommendations to improve system health, performance, and scalability.
Oversee full-cycle resource management, including intake and fulfillment of HPC requests.
Analyze incoming project requests using expert judgment and advise the PI on prioritization and feasibility to ensure they meet project needs.
Prepare and present reports on system usage, project financials, task status, and other key performance indicators.
Direct project technical operations and staff to ensure work priorities are met and shift priorities as required.
Attend project meetings and interpret technical requirements to staff and stakeholders.
Document and maintain operational procedures, workflows, and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency.