Senior HPC Engineer, Classified Computing

About the role

The Field Intelligence Operations Division (FIOD) of the National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD) invites candidates to join the team as a Senior High-Performance Computing (HPC) Engineer for Classified Computing. This role leads the design, implementation, and management of HPC systems within a classified environment, requiring extensive experience in HPC architecture, cluster management, and parallel computing. The position involves close collaboration with security teams, scientists, and IT leadership to ensure HPC infrastructure meets stringent performance, security, and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• HPC System Design and Architecture: Lead the design and deployment of HPC systems tailored to computational needs and security requirements in a classified environment; create and maintain documentation of architecture, configurations, and operational procedures.
• Cluster Management and Optimization: Oversee installation, configuration, and management of HPC clusters to ensure optimal performance, scalability, and reliability; implement job scheduling, resource allocation, and load balancing.
• Security and Compliance: Ensure HPC systems comply with security policies and regulatory requirements; implement controls and conduct audits; collaborate with security teams to address vulnerabilities and protect sensitive data.
• Performance Tuning and Troubleshooting: Monitor and optimize HPC system performance; identify and resolve bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and complex issues to minimize downtime.
• Collaboration and Leadership: Lead HPC-related projects from planning through implementation and operational support; collaborate with scientists and researchers to meet computational needs; mentor junior HPC engineers.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Research advancements in HPC technologies; propose and implement improvements to existing systems and processes to support evolving organizational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in computer science, engineering, or a related field and a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Eight (8) years of experience in HPC engineering, with expertise in cluster management, parallel computing, and performance optimization.
• Demonstrated experience working in classified environments, including knowledge of security policies, compliance frameworks, and standard processes (e.g., NIST, DISA STIGs).
• HPC systems architecture experience, including cluster management tools such as SLURM, PBS, or Moab.
• Linux system administration skills with scripting and automation using tools such as Bash, Python, or Ansible.
• Experience with performance tuning and benchmarking tools for HPC environments (e.g., Ganglia, Grafana).
• Experience with parallel programming frameworks (e.g., MPI, OpenMP, CUDA) and high-performance interconnects (e.g., InfiniBand).

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with advanced storage solutions and parallel file systems (e.g., Lustre, GPFS, or BeeGFS).
• Professional certifications (e.g., Certified HPC Professional, Linux+, or Security+).
• Excellent leadership and project management abilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, high-security environment.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement in the rapidly evolving HPC field.

Special Requirements

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy, subject to workplace substance abuse testing, random drug testing, and potential random polygraph testing.