HPC Linux Systems Engineer, Classified Environment

Requisition for multiple openings across ORNL’s high-performance computing classified ecosystem.

About the role

The Field Intelligence Operations Division seeks candidates to join the National Security Computing team, contributing to the design, implementation, and management of HPC systems within a classified environment. This role involves close collaboration with security teams, scientists, and IT leadership to ensure HPC infrastructure meets stringent performance, security, and compliance requirements for classified work. The team is collaborative, mission-driven, and committed to aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL’s core values: Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Responsibilities

• Install, integrate, and administer Linux-based HPC clusters, storage systems, and high-speed networks.
• Monitor and optimize system performance, reliability, and scalability for large-scale computational workloads.
• Diagnose complex hardware and software issues, coordinating with vendors and internal engineering teams to implement solutions.
• Participate in system design, deployment, acceptance testing, and upgrades for leadership-class and research computing systems.
• Develop and maintain automation, configuration management, and monitoring solutions using tools such as Ansible, Puppet, Bash, or Python.
• Collaborate with scientists, researchers, and technical staff to ensure HPC resources effectively support scientific and mission objectives.
• Support identity management, authentication, and access control frameworks to maintain secure and compliant environments.
• Document system architectures, processes, and best practices, and contribute to internal knowledge sharing.
• Participate in on-call rotations and off-hours maintenance windows as required to support 24x7 operations.

Requirements

• BS degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Linux systems administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy (DOE). This position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position, requiring a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. Due to the SCI clearance, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering HPC clusters or large-scale Linux computing environments.
• Familiarity with batch schedulers (e.g., SLURM, PBS, LSF) and parallel file systems (Lustre, GPFS/Spectrum Scale).
• Experience implementing and managing automation and configuration management frameworks (Ansible, Puppet, Salt).
• Proficiency in scripting or programming (Python, Bash, Go).
• Understanding of networking fundamentals and high-speed interconnects (InfiniBand, Ethernet).
• Experience deploying or supporting identity management and multi-factor authentication systems (PingFederate, RSA SecureID, Entra ID).
• Familiarity with virtualization or containerization technologies (VMware, KVM, Podman, Apptainer).
• Experience troubleshooting and tuning high-performance storage, networking, and computer systems.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or contribute to complex technical projects with minimal supervision.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team consists of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals. We aim to create an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued, supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges.

Benefits

• Collaborate with diverse teams of scientists, engineers, and technologists from across the DOE complex and academia.
• Grow your career in a mission-driven, innovation-focused environment with access to professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Enjoy life in East Tennessee, with a thriving research community, scenic outdoor recreation, and a high quality of life.