Group Leader, IC Classified Compute (IC3)

Requisition Id 15351 

Overview:  

The Field Intelligence Operations Division invites candidates to apply to join the team as a Group Leader and technical expert for a newly established secure computing High Performance Computing (HPC) group to apply leadership expertise coupled with technical proficiency to forge the pathway for this new group.  This position combines advanced technical skills with strategic management and strict adherence to security protocols. We are looking for candidates with extensive experience in either classified HPC data center operations, architecture, parallel computing, or versatility throughout diverse and robust technological environments with a proven ability to work within highly secure and regulated atmospheres. This role involves close collaboration with numerous security teams, scientists and other technical experts, and IT leadership to ensure that the classified computing infrastructure meets the stringent performance, security, and compliance requirements necessary for secure environments.

Purpose:

As part of our team, you will be joining a vibrant group of professionals eager to provide premier customer service to ensure people and information technology remain secure. The team is collaborative and strives to ensure security practices and procedures are understood, implemented, and enforced. All team members deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Major duties and responsibilities:

• HPC and IT infrastructure leadership: Plan, organize, and direct all activities related to classified and unclassified HPC or IT systems. This includes system architecture, configuration, deployment, data center operations, and ongoing maintenance.
• Security and compliance management: Implement and enforce rigorous security policies and compliance frameworks (such as NIST or DISA STIGs) for all computing assets.
• Resource and budget management: Oversee the division's budget for hardware, software, and staffing. They manage resource allocation, job scheduling, and load balancing to maximize the efficiency of HPC systems.
• Team supervision and mentorship: Lead and mentor a team of engineers and administrators, providing technical guidance and evaluating performance. The manager ensures their team has the necessary skills to support the organization's computing needs.
• Strategic planning and project management: Develop long-term strategic plans for the computing environment and lead technical projects from conception to completion. This includes planning for hardware upgrades, new technology implementations, and system performance enhancements.
• Performance optimization and troubleshooting: Monitor system performance, identify bottlenecks, and resolve complex hardware, software, or network issues to minimize downtime. They oversee the optimization of the system for better performance and utilization.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with researchers, scientists, and other internal stakeholders to ensure the computing environment effectively supports their projects. This role also involves coordination with internal security, compliance, and IT teams. 
  
  

  Basic Requirements: 

• Current TS clearance with SCI eligibility
• Bachelor's degree in information technology or technical equivalent and a minimum of 12 years of experience in high performance computing or related environments. A combination of equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• Candidates should possess deep knowledge of Linux systems, cluster management tools (e.g., SLURM, PBS), parallel file systems (e.g., Lustre, GPFS), and high-performance interconnects (e.g., InfiniBand).
• Extensive experience in classified environments is necessary, along with a thorough understanding of security policies and protocols.
• Proven success in a supervisory or management role within a technical team is a must. This includes experience in project management and talent development.
• Proficiency in scripting languages like Bash, Python, or Perl is expected for automation tasks. Familiarity with C/C++ or other scientific programming languages is also often preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are critical for diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for collaborating with technical teams, researchers, and executive leadership. 

Desired Skills:

• Recent and demonstrated leadership experience within the DoD or Intelligence Community with emphasis on diverse technical environments.
• High-performance computing (HPC) specialization such as cluster management, parallel computing, and performance optimization.
• Hardware and software: The ability to deploy, administer, and monitor hardware and software components, from bare-metal installation to application troubleshooting, is a core responsibility. 
• Information technology (IT) specialization such as systems architecture with proven experience in design, deployment, and maintenance; networking fundamentals, protocol and design, and cloud and virtualization technologies.
• Security and compliance for classified environments
• Security policies and frameworks: A solid understanding of accreditation frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53, RMF, and JSIG), compliance policies, and security threats is critical.
• Implementation: Experience implementing and managing security infrastructure, countermeasures, and tools is essential for safeguarding classified information

Special Requirement: 

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.  In addition, due to the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing. 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:
For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.  Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.  Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.  

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.