Senior Systems Administrator

We are a leading Spanish genomics research consortium, equipped with state-of-the-art genomic sequencers and a large dedicated HPC computing cluster. Our advanced facilities enable us to analyze terabytes of sequence data produced daily at our center. Our mission is to advance genomics research by leveraging cutting-edge technology and robust computational resources.

We are looking for a Senior System Administrator to join our IT department, to work together with our existing team to manage and improve our IT infrastructure, and to help us build the next computing solution to handle massive amounts of data. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of system administration, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a proven track record of managing and optimizing complex IT infrastructure. This role specifically includes managing our state-of-the-art data center, which houses an HPC compute cluster with over 10,000 cores, +30 petabytes of storage, and high-speed networking capabilities up to 400 Gbps.

The Senior Systems Administrator will oversee full implementation projects from start to finish. This includes managing provider relations, creating and maintaining documentation, conducting validation and testing, and resolving complex technical configurations. The ideal candidate should have a robust background and experience in related technologies, with the ability to independently acquire any additional knowledge as needed. Furthermore, the candidate will be expected to contribute to continuous technical improvement cycles by proposing and implementing new designs and solutions. Additionally, adherence to procedural and standard policies such as ITIL, ISO 27001 and ENS is required.

Key Responsibilities:

- System Management: Oversee the installation, configuration, and maintenance of servers, HPC compute clusters, networks, and related hardware and software.

- Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor system performance, identify potential issues, and implement solutions to ensure optimal performance of the HPC cluster and other critical systems.

- Security: Develop and enforce security policies to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and systems, particularly within the HPC environment.

- Backup and Recovery: Design and implement robust backup and disaster recovery plans to ensure data integrity and business continuity, focusing on the large-scale storage requirements of the HPC cluster.

- Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex system issues, providing expert support to other IT team members and end-users, with a focus on HPC-related problems.

 - Automation: Develop and deploy automation scripts and tools to streamline system administration tasks and improve efficiency, especially within the HPC infrastructure.

- Reporting: Generate periodic reports on infrastructure performance and resource usage, delivering structured summaries with insights based on monitoring and analytics tools.

- Activity Tracking: Track and report progress across projects and teams using standard workflow management practices, ensuring transparency on tasks, milestones, and deliverables.

- Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations, processes, and procedures, with detailed records of HPC configurations and optimizations.

- Collaboration: Work effectively within team environments, balancing proactive collaboration with respect for established roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures.

- Project Management: Manage full implementation projects from initial kickoff to production, including planning, execution, and delivery. Coordinate with vendors and providers, ensuring timely and successful project completion.

- Validation and Testing: Conduct thorough validation and testing of systems and configurations to ensure reliability, performance, and compliance with requirements.

- Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior system administrators and IT staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

- Self-Learning: Demonstrate the ability to acquire new technical knowledge independently as required for the role.

- Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the technical continuous improvement cycles by proposing and implementing new designs and solutions.

- Policy Adherence: Adhere to procedural and standard policies such as ITIL and ISO 27001.

To be successful in this role, you should have:

- Education: Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., MCSE, RHCE, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator) are a plus.

- Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in system administration, with a focus on enterprise-level IT environments. Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments is highly desirable.

- Proficient in managing Linux, Windows and other UNIX operating systems.

- Strong knowledge of network protocols, firewalls, VPNs, and security best practices.

- Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., Proxmox, KVM, VMware, Hyper-V).

- Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).

- Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Bash, PowerShell, etc).

- Strong knowledge of programming languages, (e.g., C, Python, Java, R, etc).

- Experience with configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef).

- Extensive experience with HPC systems, including job scheduling, performance tuning, and resource management.

- Knowledge of parallel file systems (e.g., Lustre, GPFS) and large-scale storage solutions.

- Experience with open-source software (OSS) and tools commonly used in system administration.

- Desired experience with bioinformatics tools or other processes dealing with large amounts of data.

- Desired experience with analysis pipelines or other multi-stage workflow management systems.

- Ability to independently acquire new technical knowledge as needed.

- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

- Proven leadership and mentoring abilities.

- Strong project management skills, including planning, coordination, and execution.

- A strong passion for learning and innovation, as well as the willingness to take on new challenges and responsibilities

We offer:

- A competitive salary based on your skills and experience

- A comprehensive benefits package

- A flexible and supportive work environment

- A rewarding and stimulating career that provides you with opportunities to grow and develop your potential

Aplication Procedure:

All applications must be addressed to People Management - people@cnag.eu

Email subject: 2026-6 CNAG: Senior Systems Administrator

Deadline: Please submit your application by 19/July/2026

All applications must include: CV and cover letter

Selection Process:

The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVs.

Shorlisted candidates will be called for an interview.

See all our job openings in the “Jobs” section of the CNAG website: https://www.cnag.eu/jobs