Overview
Ready to put your Linux and High-Performance Computing (HPC) expertise to work supporting NASA's human spaceflight missions? Join Barrios Technology as an HPC Linux System Administrator at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Supporting the Amentum JETS contract, you'll work with advanced computing infrastructure, container technologies, and large-scale Linux environments that power critical engineering analyses for the International Space Station (ISS), Orion, Space Launch System (SLS), Commercial Crew, Human Landing System (HLS), and future space exploration missions.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Linux Systems Administrator or HPC Engineer to work with one of NASA Johnson Space Center's primary high-performance computing environments: the Flight Sciences Laboratory (FSL). The FSL supports more than 1,000 users and includes over 700 computing systems, 26,000 processing cores, and more than 10 petabytes of storage. Its computing resources support complex engineering analyses critical to NASA's human spaceflight programs.
You'll join a team of experienced HPC System Administrators responsible for building, maintaining, securing, and optimizing this extensive computing environment. Your work will span Linux system administration, container-based HPC workflows, high-speed networking, parallel file systems, job scheduling, system configuration management, and advanced computing services.
We are looking for a technical professional who enjoys solving complex problems, exploring innovative technologies, and collaborating with engineers and researchers to keep mission-critical systems operating reliably. If you're passionate about technology and want your expertise to contribute to the future of human space exploration, we want you on our team!
Responsibilities
The HPC Linux System Administrator will:
- Administer, maintain, and optimize large-scale Linux systems supporting NASA's High Performance Computing environment.
- Build, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain HPC infrastructure and high-end Linux workstations.
- Develop, implement, and support container-based HPC workflows using modern container technologies.
- Manage system configuration processes and tools to maintain consistent, reliable computing environments.
- Support complex Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) workflows and associated software development processes.
- Administer and maintain HPC job scheduling and resource management systems.
- Support high-speed networking technologies and high-speed parallel file systems used in large-scale computing environments.
- Monitor system performance, availability, and infrastructure health; proactively identify and resolve potential issues.
- Investigate complex system problems, perform root-cause analysis, and implement effective solutions.
- Collaborate with engineers, researchers, and laboratory users to resolve technical issues and improve their ability to use HPC resources.
- Support system security requirements, technical documentation, and compliance activities.
- Identify opportunities to improve system performance, automation, reliability, and operational efficiency.
- Work collaboratively with the FSL System Administration Team to ensure computing services effectively support NASA's human spaceflight mission.
Qualifications
Required Education/Experience/Skills:
- Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline, plus five (5) years of relevant experience.
- Experience administering large-scale computing environments, including at least two years of High-Performance Computing (HPC) system administration experience.
- Strong experience with Linux system administration in enterprise or large-scale computing environments.
- Experience with system configuration management.
- Experience supporting container-based HPC workflows.
- Experience with complex Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) workflows.
- Experience administering HPC job schedulers and resource management systems.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to investigate and resolve complex technical issues.
- Demonstrated planning, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented technical environment.
Preferences:
- Experience with any of the following technologies and environments is highly desirable:
- Linux Platforms: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and other Red Hat-based systems.
- Container Technologies: Docker, Podman, and Apptainer.
- High-Performance Storage: Lustre high-speed parallel file systems.
- High-Speed Networking: InfiniBand and related networking technologies.
- Configuration Management: Ansible and Foreman.
- HPC Scheduling: SLURM workload and resource management.
- Software Management: SPACK software package manager.
- System Monitoring: Log consolidation, centralized monitoring, and system health analysis.
- DevOps and CI/CD: Git, GitLab, software development workflows, and automated CI/CD pipelines.
- NASA Infrastructure: Familiarity with the Johnson Space Center campus network.
- NASA Security: Experience with security plans, Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation, and risk assessments.
Why Join Our Team?
At Barrios, we believe great people make great missions possible. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside talented engineers and technical professionals supporting some of NASA's most important human spaceflight programs.
We offer an environment where employees can grow professionally, take on challenging technical work, and make a meaningful contribution to the future of space exploration.
Additional benefits and opportunities include:
- Excellent personal and professional career growth opportunities.
- A 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off, when applicable.
- NASA onsite cafeteria offering breakfast and lunch.
- Opportunities to work with advanced computing technologies and large-scale HPC infrastructure.
- A collaborative team environment supporting NASA's human spaceflight mission.
Help Power the Future of Space Exploration!
Bring your technical expertise, innovative thinking, and passion for solving complex problems to a team supporting NASA's most challenging missions. Apply today and help make the extraordinary possible!
Essential Requirements
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
- Applicant selected may be subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
- Work may involve sitting for extended periods.
- May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lb.
- Must have sufficient mobility to enter areas of test facilities where necessary.
- Generally, an office environment but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
- Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, fax, etc.)
- Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical.
- Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements when required.
- Must be able to work in a team atmosphere.
- Must put forward a professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation.
- Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
- This position may require some commuting and traveling to other installations as needed.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity; for immediate consideration, apply now!
Barrios Technology is a drug-free workplace, which is imperative to the health and safety of all employees and is required as a condition of receiving contracts from federal agencies. Please remember that regardless of the legalization of marijuana in several states, possession and use continues to be illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This includes the use of some CBD products. A post-offer, pre-employment drug test is a condition of employment.
Barrios Technology is an Equal Employment Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
