Overview

Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory has an exciting position opening in the Information Technology Department for an IT professional specializing in High Performance Computing (HPC) Systems. The successful candidate will be responsible for the monitoring, implementation, and maintenance of research grade high performance computing environments, as well as maintaining close collaboration with the research community at PPPL. The ideal candidate must have strong written and verbal communications skills.

 

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is a world-class fusion energy research laboratory managed by Princeton University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. PPPL is dedicated to developing the scientific and technological knowledge base for fusion energy. The Laboratory advances the fields of fusion energy and plasma physics research to develop the scientific understanding and key innovations needed to realize fusion as an energy source for the world.

Responsibilities

• Architect appropriate high performance computing solutions, based on the close collaboration with the PPPL Computational Sciences Department and applicable research computing end users. Design of these systems should meet various project and user needs, while facilitating the overall research mission of the laboratory. (25%)
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex software, operating system, and network problems and determine whether the problem is system-related, hardware, software, or the end–user. Relies upon extensive knowledge of server and desktop systems, vendor supplied diagnostic tools and web-based information to determine the reason for the malfunction and the appropriate solution to resolve the problem. Must be able to make independent decisions to best resolve the problems. (20%)
• Develops, tests, implements, installs, and maintains the operating system and the related software for proper server system operation. (15%)
• Assists in the troubleshooting of end-user system issues to help maintain consistent lab-wide computing. (15%)
• Troubleshoot and maintain cyber-security issues pertaining to internal and external firewall and system configurations and settings to meet government cyber-security requirements and also provide consistent and secure networking lab-wide. Participates in the incident response process and assessment of cyber security requirements and controls, log reviews and forensics and vulnerability scanning and remediation. (10%)
• Documents server system problems related to hardware, software, and setup of prescribed formats, resolving them independently or referring them to the immediate supervisor as needed. (10%)
• Provide recommendations for non-desktop hardware based on detailed project specifications and changing environment needs. Other duties as assigned. (5%)

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in managing systems for High Performance Computing environments (ie. any organization that runs research computing infrastructure)
• Knowledge of parallel file systems (such as Ceph) and high speed interconnects (Infiniband, ethernet fabrics)
• Strong knowledge of job scheduling technology, such as SLURM (scheduler)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong ability to multitask in a fast-paced, high anticipatory environment
• Experience with configuration management systems, such as Puppet or Ansible
• Experience with automated deployment systems (e.g. Cobbler)
• Ability to work with and follow guidelines set forth in security benchmarks, such as CIS
• Ability to implement technical solutions for specialized software and research data requirements
• General knowledge of networking equipment and techniques

Physical Requirements:

• May need to be able to lift heavy objects less than 50 lbs. and run cables in a datacenter environment (under floor tiles, in server racks, etc.) 
• Main day to day will be an office environment/onsite, with some abilty to work remotely from time to time

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.

Standard Weekly Hours40.00Eligible for OvertimeNoBenefits EligibleYesProbationary Period180 daysEssential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)NoPhysical Capacity Exam RequiredNoValid Driver's License RequiredNo #LI-CL1