Senior HPC Engineer - Classified Environment

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Field Intelligence Operations Division (FIOD) of the National Security Directorate (NSSD) is seeking a Senior High Performance Computing (HPC) Engineer for Classified Computing, where you will help shape advanced computing capabilities supporting some of the nation’s most important national security and scientific missions. In this role, you will lead the design, implementation, modernization, and operation of HPC environments built to solve complex computational challenges within highly secure classified environments. You will bring expertise in HPC architecture, cluster management, parallel computing, and performance optimization while helping evaluate and introduce emerging technologies that advance mission capabilities. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of HPC and systems engineers, cybersecurity professionals, scientists, researchers, and mission partners to develop computing solutions that deliver exceptional performance while meeting rigorous security and compliance requirements. This is an opportunity to remain deeply technical while influencing architecture, solving challenging problems, and helping define the future of classified high-performance computing. You will join a collaborative team that values technical excellence, innovation, service, and shared success. We encourage new ideas, knowledge sharing, and different perspectives, and we are committed to creating an environment where talented people can do meaningful work, continue to grow, and make an impact. The position requires Top-Secret Clearance with access to Q and SCI.

Requirements

BS degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical discipline and a minimum of eight years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education, experience, and certifications may be considered.
At least five years of hands-on HPC engineering experience involving cluster architecture, administration, performance optimization, or parallel computing.
Advanced Linux systems engineering experience with automation using Python, Bash, Ansible, or comparable technologies.
Experience with HPC workload management and scheduling technologies such as SLURM, PBS, or similar platforms.
Experience with parallel computing technologies such as MPI, OpenMP, and/or CUDA and high-performance interconnects such as InfiniBand.
Experience with HPC performance analysis, monitoring, benchmarking, and optimization.
Demonstrated understanding of cybersecurity requirements applicable to classified or highly regulated computing environments, including NIST, RMF, and DISA STIGs.
Eligibility for access to Sensitive or Special Access Program information.
Current Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing or operating large-scale HPC, GPU, or AI/ML computing environments.
Experience with advanced and parallel storage technologies such as Lustre, GPFS/Spectrum Scale, or BeeGFS.
Experience with GPU computing, accelerated workloads, containers, or emerging AI/HPC architectures.
Experience with infrastructure automation, configuration management, Git-based workflows, or infrastructure-as-code.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical efforts, influence architecture, and mentor other engineers while remaining hands-on.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills.
Relevant HPC, Linux, cybersecurity, automation, or infrastructure certifications.
A strong technical curiosity and commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and engineering excellence in a rapidly evolving HPC landscape.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, deployment, modernization, and evolution of secure HPC environments supporting classified national security and scientific missions.
Architect scalable compute solutions integrating CPU/GPU resources, high-speed interconnects, parallel storage, scheduling, and supporting infrastructure.
Establish technical standards, architectures, and engineering approaches that improve performance, reliability, security, and scalability.
Engineer and optimize HPC clusters, including Linux operating systems, workload schedulers such as SLURM, resource management, high-speed fabrics, and parallel file systems.
Analyze system and application performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize compute, memory, storage, networking, and GPU utilization.
Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of complex HPC infrastructure and performance issues.
Develop and advance automation using Python, Bash, Ansible, Git, and infrastructure-as-code practices to improve deployment, configuration, patching, monitoring, and operational efficiency.
Engineer HPC systems to meet applicable NIST, RMF, DISA STIG, DOE, DOW, and classified computing requirements, partnering with cybersecurity teams to integrate security throughout the system lifecycle.
Evaluate and introduce emerging HPC, AI/ML, GPU computing, containerization, and infrastructure technologies that advance mission capabilities.
Lead complex HPC initiatives from architecture and design through deployment, optimization, and operational transition.
Partner directly with scientists, researchers, engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and mission stakeholders to translate computational requirements into effective technical solutions.
Serve as a senior technical resource for HPC architecture and engineering decisions and mentor other engineers through knowledge sharing and technical guidance.
Help shape technology roadmaps and continuously improve the performance, resiliency, and capabilities of the classified HPC environment.