HPC System Administrator
The University of Chicago

Department

Provost Research Computing Center

About the Department

The University of Chicago Research Computing Center (RCC), a unit in the Office of Research, provides high-end research computing resources to researchers at the University of Chicago. It is dedicated to enabling research by providing access to centrally managed High-Performance Computing (HPC), storage, and visualization resources. These resources include hardware, software, high-level scientific and technical user support, and the education and training required to help researchers make full use of modern HPC technology and local and national supercomputing resources. The Office of Research oversees the conduct of sponsored research, research program development, and contract management functions.

Job Summary

The job designs automated, scalable, and rapidly deployable solutions to infrastructure development and server configuration. Works independently to install, configure, and maintain operating systems. Uses best practices and systems knowledge to monitor and alert systems, utility software, and firewalls. Guides maintenance for production servers as well as Windows and Linux servers.

The University of Chicago Research Computing Center (RCC) is seeking a highly qualified HPC system engineer to join its system and operation team that builds and manages RCC HPC systems and facility operations. The individual in this position will be involved in the management and administration of RCC hardware and software.

Responsibilities

• Installing, configuring, and maintaining large computer clusters/servers and software.
  
• Day-to-day operations of the systems including systems administration, monitoring and storage performance up to and including network components.
  
• Management of the system's network switch, parallel file system and HPC software stack and tools. 10%
  
• Configuration of the scheduling and queuing system.
  
• Diagnosing and resolving system operational problems quickly and effectively. Coordinating with vendors to resolve hardware and software problems. Assist users with access and other help desk ticket requests or issues.
  
• Building and deploying open source software and software from vendors/partners.
  
• Providing reliable and efficient backups/restores for all managed systems. Maintaining and monitoring the security of the HPC systems and servers.
  
• Documenting system administration procedures for routine and complex tasks.
  
• 
  Plans and installs necessary patches and upgrades for servers and their associated storage, network, communications, and peripheral sub-systems. Installs and maintains an appropriate level of intrusion detection, monitoring, and auditing software as required.
  
  
• 
  Tracks compliance and maintains documentation for hardware, software, and service inventories for management reports.
  
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or closely related field.
  

Experience:

• A minimum of three years of Linux system administration experience in a large distributed computing environment.
  
• At least two years experience in HPC system administration or managing large HPC clusters.
  

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Linux.
  
• Experience scripting with one or more language such as Python, Shell, Perl.
  
• Experience with Linux build automation tools such as puppet, Ansible, GIT, Docker, highly preferred.
  
• Experience implementing automation and monitoring using shell scripting and other related tools strongly preferred.
  
• Experience with installing, configuring, and maintaining job management tools (such as SLURM, Moab, TORQUE, PBS, etc.) strongly preferred.
  
• Experience with operating system deployment tools (e.g. XCAT, ROCKS) strongly preferred.
  
• Experience configuring, administering, and supporting network storage subsystems (e.g. IBM, NetAppl DataDirect Network, LSI, etc.) strongly preferred.
  
• Experience with one or more distributed file systems (GPFS, Lustre, Gluster, etc.) strongly preferred.
  
• Experience configuring, installing, tuning and maintaining scientific application software strongly preferred.
  
• Experience configuring, installing, maintaining and/or using performance monitoring and optimization tools strongly preferred.
  
• Experience documenting implementations and system related tasks.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Understand and translate researchers' scientific goals into computational requirements.
  
• Work well with faculty and researchers.
  
• Identify and gain expertise in appropriate new technologies and/or software tools.
  
• Function as part of an interactive team while demonstrating self-initiative to achieve project's goals and Research Computing Center's mission.
  
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
  

Application Documents

• Resume or C/V (required)
  
• Cover letter strongly (preferred)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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