Summary

Provides entry-level systems programming and systems management support in high-performance research computing environment. Responsibilities include working as member of systems team on the administration, integration and maintenance of parallel high performance computing systems, clusters, as well as other systems and peripherals, including advanced filesystems, enterprise storage systems, visualization environments, and networks. Participates in system integration, deployment, and administration projects, system performance analyses, problem resolution, and system security initiatives. Works with senior staff on the development of system management tools and architectural assessments for production systems. Works with senior staff to provide technical assistance and consultation for faculty, researchers, students, and technical staff on the use of the high-performance computing platforms. Works closely with other staff and departmental entities to provide a comprehensive support infrastructure for academic, commercial, and government users, from a broad range of research disciplines.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides systems support for advanced research computing environment, to include the installation, integration and management of high-performance computer systems, clusters, operating systems, peripherals, and system interfaces; monitors system usage; ensures that the high-performance computing complex is operating at optimal performance and reliability levels; additional duties include consulting, training and the development and maintenance of systems documentation.
2. Works in collaboration with senior systems staff to manage the hardware and systems software infrastructure to provide an effective, reliable, high performance, scalable computing environment.
3. Participates in the configuration and tuning of batch queuing systems in a high performance, parallel computing production environment; collects system utilization statistics; identifies computer system anomalies and operational problems; and provides systems support for electronic mail, name resolution, and file sharing services.
4. Maintains an understanding of state-of-the-art computing systems and peripherals; computer operating systems; and scalable, parallel architectures.
5. Works with users and other computational professionals in evaluating user requirements, and in the configuration and deployment of computational resources.
6. Works with computer hardware and software vendors to maintain an understanding of industry trends and evolving technology.
7. Provides consulting and technical support for marketing, outreach, and educational activities.
8. Serves as project leader on small to medium-sized projects.
9. Solves moderately complex problems and tasks independently.
10. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related Technical, Scientific, or Engineering discipline; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Fundamental understanding of high-performance computing technology.
• Ability to execute tasks within specific and well-defined projects.
• Ability to build and network servers.
• General understanding of computer systems configurations.
• Knowledge of high performance computing systems; scalable, parallel architectures; and basic aspects of the UNIX operating system.
• Ability to contribute to the development of technical design decisions involving software or hardware implementation strategies.
• Ability to monitor system usage and performance statistics and to understand the impacts of operating system tuning parameters.
• Experience with one or more high-level programming languages such as C, C++, or Fortran.
• Good working knowledge of one or more scripting languages such as csh, Bash, Awk, perl, Python, etc.
• Skill in the installation and configuration of operating systems and application software.
• Familiarity with network security procedures and protocols.
• Ability to understand and follow established methods and procedures for the integration, testing, and installation of system modifications.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, interpret operational needs, and develop integrated, creative solutions.
• Ability to analyze requirements and determine computational resource impacts.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Position requires: a) Using independent judgment on tasks and problem solving of a complex nature; b) working as member of Systems team and with project leader on sizeable projects; c) working as part of Systems team to deploy and configure large parallel and system software components; d) demonstrated depth of understanding of specialty area; e) working as member of Systems team to develop new ideas and guide the organization in technology.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Light physical effort. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking. On average, effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 03/20/2017