HPC System Administrator Consultant

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize Linux supercomputers, infrastructure systems, and research computing environments.
• Perform daily system checks, analyze logs, and troubleshoot complex hardware and software issues.
• Conduct proactive hardware maintenance, including diagnosing failures, replacing components (DIMMs, disks, motherboards), and managing vendor RMAs.
• Execute software maintenance, including OS installation, security patching, driver updates, and firmware upgrades.
• Architect and implement new technologies to enhance user and deployment environments.
• Provide technical customer support via ticketing systems and offer training to research groups.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with 3 years of experience (a Ph.D. in Computational Science, Engineering, or a related field may substitute for 2 years of experience).
• Proven experience in IT systems administration within Linux/HPC environments.
• Strong expertise in scripting and programming, specifically with Bash.
• Experience with HPC cluster resource managers and management software (e.g., Kickstart, DNF, Ansible, SSH keys).
• Hands-on experience repairing and managing hardware in large-scale, complex HPC systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computational Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in Linux system administration for large HPC deployments.
• Experience with PBS Torque, Moab, Slurm, or Condor resource managers.
• Proficiency with InfiniBand and high-performance filesystems such as Lustre, GPFS, NAS, DDN, or Panasas.
• Experience with virtualization (KVM) and containerization (Docker, Singularity).
• Familiarity with Grid Computing systems like XSEDE, TeraGrid, or Open Science Grid.

Benefits

• Health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement options and flexible spending accounts.
• Various leave options and paid holidays.
• Tuition exemption for qualified positions.
• Training and development opportunities.

About the Company

Louisiana State University (LSU) is a premier flagship research institution dedicated to academic excellence and innovation. LSU researchers work on a wide range of critical issues, from medical treatments and coastal protection to energy and agriculture, utilizing world-class resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.