HPC System Administrator: National Institute for Computational Sciences - UTK

The National Institute for Computational Sciences (NICS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking a skilled and motivated System Administrator to join our advanced research computing and enterprise infrastructure team. As a key component of the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science within the Tickle College of Engineering, NICS supports the University of Tennessee and national science and engineering communities. Our mission is to enhance capabilities to address computationally challenging research problems.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for the deployment, configuration, maintenance, security, and optimization of Linux server environments supporting cutting-edge scientific research, academic computing, and large-scale data systems. The candidate must possess a strong background in enterprise Linux administration, automation, and infrastructure troubleshooting. Key responsibilities include:

• System Administration & Maintenance: Install, configure, patch, and maintain enterprise Linux distributions (RHEL) across physical and virtual environments.

• Performance & Monitoring: Utilize professional monitoring tools to track systems performance, resource utilization, and network health, proactively identifying and resolving potential issues.

• Automation & Configuration Management: Develop, maintain, and enhance automation scripts and configuration management frameworks (e.g., Ansible, Bash, Python) to standardize operations.

• Security & Compliance: Implement and enforce robust security protocols, manage user access controls, apply security patches, and participate in vulnerability remediation and compliance audits.

• Storage & Backup Management: Coordinate with storage teams to manage file systems (local and remote), ensuring reliable data backup and disaster recovery procedures.

• User Support & Collaboration: Provide Tier-2 and Tier-3 technical support for researchers, faculty, and internal developers experiencing complex system issues.

• Documentation: Maintain accurate, up-to-date system documentation, network topologies, standard operating procedures, and inventory logs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Present papers, talks, posters, and similar content at local, regional, and national meetings.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related technical field.

• Experience: At least 3 years of professional experience in Linux system administration.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• 3+ years of experience with the installation, configuration, tuning, and troubleshooting of modern Enterprise Linux operating systems.

• Strong working knowledge of core network services and protocols (e.g., DNS, DHCP, NFS, SSH, LDAP integration).

• Proven experience with automation and scripting languages (e.g., Ansible, Bash, Python).

• Familiarity with virtualization platforms and containerization technologies (e.g., VMware, Kubernetes).

• Strong understanding of information security best practices in an enterprise environment.

• Excellent problem-solving, time management, and communication skills with the ability to work effectively both independently and within a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related technical field.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience with Ansible Automation Platform, OpenShift, Globus, Open OnDemand

• Experience working in a higher education, research computing, or High-Performance Computing (HPC) environment.

• Familiarity with parallel file systems (Lustre) and cluster resource managers (Slurm).

• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., RHCE).

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Hybrid – must be able to access machine room within 90 minutes of system outage during working hours

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR16

• Anticipated hiring range: $88,000 - $100,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

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