Research Computing & Systems Administrator
About The Position
The Research Computing & Systems Administrator performs analysis and design for research computing clusters and provides programming support to researchers and students as needed to meet research grant requirements. The role designs and implements domain architectures, determines server-based services needed to support the college’s mission, and helps deliver infrastructure services. It also develops and maintains web-based tools for Engineering faculty, staff, and students. The position manages multiple existing high-performance computing (HPC) research clusters, including maintaining systems through software and operating-system upgrades and security patching, configuring systems, installing software, and developing webpages to support cluster maintenance. The administrator helps plan and coordinate cluster components and installations, and assists research groups with computing administration for their own clusters. Additional work includes designing custom software applications, evaluating and implementing technology services, and troubleshooting UNIX/Linux server and workstation hardware, software, and networking. The role is part of Engineering Technology Services (ETS) at Colorado State University’s Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. ETS oversees computing services across the college, including research computing, systems analysis, programming, web development, technical support, and training. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; visa sponsorship is not available. A pre-employment criminal background check is required. Work outside normal business hours may occasionally be required for critical systems, service interruptions, and scheduled maintenance or upgrades; such work is expected to be infrequent and communicated in advance whenever possible. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field; an Associate’s degree plus at least two years of work experience in computer science or a related field may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
- Working knowledge of Linux system administration, including system configuration, NFS filesystems, automount, Samba, SSH, and basic networking, including TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP.
- Experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, SQLite, PHP, and Python.
- Strong knowledge of HTML, web standards, design, and implementation.
- Experience creating database structures for applications.
- Experience working with HPC systems using Slurm or similar.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the department will not sponsor a visa.
- Completion of a pre-employment criminal background check is required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Linux distributions including Debian, Rocky Linux, and Ubuntu.
- Experience with remote desktop, VNC, and shell scripting.
- Experience installing and troubleshooting engineering research applications such as MATLAB, Cadence, and ANSYS Fluent.
- Experience with provisioning software such as Ansible or Puppet.
- Experience with parallel programming in research applications.
- Experience with AI-powered coding software agents.
- Experience with Web APIs, AJAX, JSON, and other JavaScript libraries.
- Strong understanding of user interface design.
- Familiarity with Web 2.0 technologies.
- Familiarity with responsive design.
- Familiarity with using AI for coding.
Responsibilities
- Manage multiple existing HPC research clusters operating in the Scott Data Center.
- Provide programming support as needed to meet the specific needs of research grants.
- Maintain cluster systems, including software and operating-system upgrades and security patching.
- Configure systems and install software.
- Develop webpages to assist with maintaining the cluster.
- Work with the ETS Financial Coordinator, Procurement, and vendors to secure system components.
- Assist with architecture design by working with students, faculty, research staff, and the ETS Systems Group while staying within available funding.
- Help coordinate vendors during site installation.
- Assist researchers with adding appropriate CPU and GPU nodes to clusters.
- Provide research computing administration for clusters owned by specific research groups.
- Design and program custom software applications.
- Review, test, and implement new technology services for the college.
- Troubleshoot hardware, software, and networking for UNIX/Linux servers and workstations.
- Develop and maintain web-based tools for the college.
Benefits
- The university describes its benefits package as robust and highlights a collaborative atmosphere and focus on work-life balance; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
