Lead Systems Engineer

Overview

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) has an immediate career opening for a Lead Systems Engineer. This opening is located at IDA's Center for Communications Research in Princeton, New Jersey (CCRP). IDA offers a competitive salary, an excellent benefits package and a superior professional working environment. To the right individual, IDA offers the opportunity to have a major impact on key national programs while working in support of technical issues and projects.

IDA is seeking a qualified individual to manage its High Performance Computing (HPC) resources, including compute clusters, parallel file systems and high-speed networks. The successful applicant will be an expert in the Linux operating system and have significant experience with CPU/GPU based systems, high-performance storage technologies (e.g. Lustre), HPC or High Throughput job allocation technologies (e.g. Slurm, HTCondor), parallel computing environments such as MPI and CUDA, and high-performance network technologies (e.g. InfiniBand, GigE). The incumbent will recommend technologies; work with vendors to specify equipment; supervise or participate in installation; maintain, administer and troubleshoot systems; install software to support research; ensure compliance with DoD and sponsoring Agency requirements; and help researchers get the most out of the systems. Moreover, the individual will act as part of a team to maintain the environment in which the HPC systems function and support the mission of IDA/CCR-P and its sponsor.

Responsibilities

• Takes the primary role as project leader and designer of new IT technology initiatives.
• Develops test and integration plans for new systems and software in order to ensure compatibility with current infrastructure.
• Provides operational support and maintenance, when necessary, to ensure systems functionality, availability, security and performance.
• Ensures all systems meet or exceed the business and security requirements in accordance with IDA, DOD, NSA, DISA and DSS directives and guidelines.
• Mentors junior staff and coordinates work assignments of junior administrators to ensure project schedules are maintained.
• Prepares technical documentation, to include standard operating procedures and processes.
• Develops resolutions to complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity. Coordinates resources to resolve problems when necessary.
• Administers and maintains classified and unclassified systems and services to ensure optimum performance and availability
• Maintains technical proficiency in new IT technologies; keeps abreast of industry trends, and makes recommendations to improve or advance services and system performance.
• Communicates all computer network, system and service problems and outages immediately to the appropriate supervisors and/or managers.
• Responds to critical after hours support issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience in related field.

• Eight years minimum experience in Information Technology, which includes at least six in systems administration.

• Possess advanced, subject matter expertise in design, administration, and support of servers, systems and software, using Linux/Unix and/or Windows. Experience in more than one of the following areas is a requirement:

• High Performance Computing (HPC) systems or large cluster computing, including GPU based systems.

• High performance storage technologies such as Lustre or Hadoop.

• HPC or High Throughput Computing (HTC) job allocation technologies such as Slurm or HTCondor.

• Parallel computing libraries and environments such as MPI and CUDA.

• High performance network technologies such as InfiniBand and GigE

• Authentication, access control, compliance and security in a DOD environment

• Open Source software installation and support

• Must be organized, self-motivated and able to work with moderate supervision.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form and with all levels of employees; possess good interpersonal skills.

• Must be willing to work hours outside of a regular schedule, including periodic on-call support.

• Position requires ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI security clearance with full scope polygraph. Current TS/SCI with full scope polygraph clearance preferred.

• Ability to obtain and maintain DOD 8570 IAT II certification.

Why work at IDA?

Competitive salary and benefits, including diverse health insurance options, generous 10% contribution to retirement, 6 weeks 100% paid parental leave and 20 days paid time off. Mission-oriented work at a non-profit that supports and protects our Nation's warfighters; as a non-profit, IDA employees are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL). Professional development including tuition reimbursement, internal and external trainings.

Compensation:

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $121,000-$194,000. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent's experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.

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