High Performance Computing (HPC) / Linux Systems Engineer, Senior

LCG, Inc.
$130,000.00 - $160,000.00 / yr
retirement plan
United States, Maryland, Maryland
Dec 01, 2025
Job Title: High Performance Computing (HPC) / Linux Systems Engineer, Senior Location: Rockville, MD (Onsite required 5 days a week, with potential for reduced onsite days as client needs evolve) Clearance: Ability to obtain Public Trust Position Description: We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated High Performance Computing (HPC) / Linux Systems Engineer, Senior to support our Client. This role is critical in administering and optimizing the institute's HPC infrastructure that supports bioinformatics workloads, genomic data processing, and scientific research computing needs. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in Linux systems administration, high-performance storage systems, cloud computing (AWS and Azure), and support for bioinformatics applications and users in a research environment. Key Responsibilities: HPC and Linux Systems Administration Administer, monitor, and maintain HPC cluster systems, enterprise storage (Dell EMC Isilon, Unity), and associated applications. Provide day-to-day systems administration for RedHat, CentOS, SUSE, and Oracle Linux environments, including installing, configuring, and maintaining Red Hat and CentOS systems in enterprise HPC environments. Manage and optimize HPC clusters using Bright Cluster Manager to ensure reliability, scalability, and performance. Support and manage HPC job scheduling workflows, including Altair/Univa Grid Engine and equivalent schedulers. Troubleshoot complex HPC infrastructure issues in collaboration with client teams, vendors, and NIH partners. Lead and support infrastructure enhancement projects, system upgrades, and modernization initiatives. Storage, Backup, and Disaster Recovery Maintain and configure enterprise backup and disaster recovery solutions (Cohesity, VMware, Isilon OneFS). Perform data backup/restore operations across on-prem and cloud (AWS/Azure) storage systems and participate in quarterly and annual DR tests. Administer NAS, iSCSI, FC SAN storage devices, and support Dell, EMC, and Isilon hardware platforms. Perform data restoration from Dell PowerVault Tape Libraries and manage tape-based backup workflows. Maintain and troubleshoot enterprise file systems including XFS, NFS, SMB, and CIFS. Automation, Configuration Management and Scripting Support Infrastructure as Code efforts and modernization using containers, Kubernetes, and cloud automation. Utilize Ansible or Puppet configuration management tools to ensure consistency and repeatability across systems. Write and maintain automation scripts using Shell, Perl, or Python for system administration and HPC workflows. Security, Compliance and Vulnerability Remediation Ensure security of HPC and Linux systems by addressing vulnerabilities, updating configurations, and maintaining NIH/HHS compliance. Implement and manage security and vulnerability tools such as BigFix, Carbon Black, and Nessus. Support secure system configurations in alignment with CIS Benchmarks, NIST 800-53, and NIH standards. Administer DNS and firewall configurations for HPC and Linux environments. Networking, Identity and Access Management Manage user accounts, permissions, and data access across HPC clusters, Active Directory, cloud platforms, and hybrid environments. Administer and troubleshoot DNS, AD integration, and firewall rules to support HPC operations. Research Computing and Scientific Application Support Support scientific computing and bioinformatics workflows, including installation and management of user-requested tools and software. Provide expert support in compiling, installing, and testing open-source and commercial scientific applications across HPC environments. Collaborate with researchers to ensure optimized performance for complex workloads. Documentation, ITIL Processes and Operational Excellence Prepare comprehensive documentation including SOPs, system diagrams, contingency plans, and COOP/DR readiness materials. Contribute to incident, configuration, and change management practices following ITIL principles. Conduct research and present quarterly innovation updates to leadership. Participate in requirements gathering with technical and non-technical stakeholders and provide expert recommendations. Coordinate vendor demonstrations, tool evaluations, and strategic technology assessments. Perform hands-on datacenter tasks such as racking/un-racking, hardware installation, and diagnostics. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience). 7+ years of experience in systems engineering and administration in Linux-based environments. Demonstrated experience supporting high-performance computing environments, scientific workloads, and large-scale storage systems. Required Certifications : Red Hat Certified Engineer or Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) VMware VCP AWS/Azure Certifications Security + ITIL 4 Dell DCA/DCS certifications (desired) Experience with Apache, MySQL/Postgres, and additional enterprise filesystems (XFS, SMB, CIFS). Experience compiling, installing, and testing open-source or COTS scientific applications Proficiency in Linux shell scripting and tools (Bash, Python, etc.). Experience with the following: HPC job schedulers (e.g., Univa Grid Engine or equivalent) VMware vSphere, vCenter, vSRM, and ESXi Active Directory and Group Policy Objects (GPO) Networked storage: NAS/SAN, tape libraries, and backup platforms Monitoring tools (e.g., Dynatrace, VMware vROps) Experience with secure system configuration and compliance frameworks (e.g., CIS benchmarks, NIST 800-53, NIH security handbook). Experience supporting hybrid infrastructure environments (on-premises, AWS, and Azure). Strong documentation and communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Experience in a bioinformatics or life sciences research environment. Knowledge of genomic data analysis pipelines and tools used in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Familiarity with system modernization practices including Kubernetes, HCI, VDI/DaaS, and cloud-native technologies. Compensation and Benefits The projected compensation range for this position is $130,000 to $160,000 per year benchmarked in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. Salary at LCG is determined by various factors, including but not limited to role, location, the combination of education/training, knowledge, skills, competencies, certifications, and work experience. LCG offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package which includes health insurance options (medical, dental, vision), life and disability insurance, retirement plan contributions, as well as paid leave, federal holidays, professional development, and lifestyle benefits. Devoted to Fair and Inclusive Practices All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are interested in applying for employment with LCG and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources department by email at hr@lcginc.com. Securing Your Data Beware of fraudulent job offers using LCG's name. LCG will never request payment-related details or advancement of money during the application process. Legitimate communication will only come from lcginc.com or system@hirebridgemail.com emails, not free commercial services like Gmail or WhatsApp. If you receive suspicious emails asking for payment or personal information, contact us immediately at hr@lcginc.com. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.