Systems Administrator

About the role

ASRC Federal Data Solutions (AFDS) supports NASA's High Performance Computing Services program at the Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. The program supports 4 on-site supercomputers, 18,000+ nodes, and 17+ combined petaflop supercomputer systems, providing High Performance Computing services throughout the HPC lifecycle — including computational requirements, architecture, acquisition, and operations — for federal government customers. The team also supports the Human-Systems Integration (HSI) Division, which enables development of complex aerospace systems through analysis and modeling of human performance and human-automation interactions.

The Windows System Administrator collaborates to provide laboratory, logistical support, and system oversight for HSI's research laboratories at NASA Ames Research Center. HSI research includes human performance, integration and evaluation, and human-computer interaction, relying on an advanced, distributed human-in-the-loop simulation environment and state-of-the-art facilities. Research participants include industry partners, professional air traffic service providers, pilots, and aviation operators developing and testing novel aviation concepts, technologies, and procedures for the global and U.S. National Airspace System. Foundational to this research is a fully functioning, well-maintained, safe, secure, and updated lab infrastructure with high availability.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory Systems Administration: Manage, maintain, configure, and troubleshoot Windows-based systems and supporting laboratory infrastructure to ensure high availability, reliability, security, and compliance with applicable NASA standards and requirements.
• Experimental Software Support: Collaborate with developers, researchers, and students to develop, integrate, test, and maintain custom experimental software, scripts, and system utilities that support HSI research activities.
• Operational Procedures: Develop, document, maintain, and execute procedures for system startup, normal operations, shutdown, emergency response, troubleshooting, and recovery.
• Configuration and Technical Documentation: Maintain accurate technical documentation covering system configurations, software builds, installations, upgrades, known defects, troubleshooting activities, and configuration changes.
• Security, Compliance, and Performance: Monitor laboratory systems to identify performance issues, maintain security, support IT compliance, and ensure adherence to applicable NASA IT, system administration, and software development standards.
• System Integration and Automation: Develop, modify, and maintain system management tools, applications, scripts, and interfaces that integrate laboratory infrastructure with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and custom-built experimental support systems.
• Technology Assessment and Engineering: Research, evaluate, and implement technology solutions that improve laboratory performance, operational efficiency, reliability, and future research capabilities.
• Installation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting: Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to install, configure, maintain, upgrade, test, and troubleshoot laboratory systems, custom software, and experimental hardware.
• Mission-Focused Team Support: Demonstrate a mission-focused approach, collaborate effectively across technical and research teams, adapt to changing priorities, and perform additional duties as required to support laboratory operations.
• Equipment Handling: Safely install, move, connect, and reconfigure laboratory computing equipment, experimental hardware, displays, and associated peripherals.
• Laboratory Operations Support: Provide onsite technical support during laboratory experiments, flight tests, and laboratory testing activities to ensure readiness, reliable operation, and effective troubleshooting of systems and equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least five years of experience supporting NASA aeronautics research laboratories, human systems laboratories, or comparable technical research environments.
• At least five years of experience administering, maintaining, or overseeing laboratory computer systems, infrastructure, and associated equipment.
• Ability to work on-site at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. This is an on-site position.
• Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory system architecture, system interactions, hardware and software integration, and operational requirements.
• Experience installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Windows-based systems and associated hardware and software.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, software developers, engineers, students, and other technical personnel in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong technical documentation, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and communication skills.