Storage Systems Engineer

Storage Systems Engineer (SYS ADM 4) This is a two-year contract of employment, inclusive of benefits. Role Overview The Academic Research Services team at UCSF is looking for a Storage Systems Engineer to serve as a technical resource in the design, deployment, and operation of large‑scale research storage and data infrastructure. This role works closely with the Senior Research DevOps Engineer to support UCSF's evolving research ecosystem, including CoreHPC, the Research Analysis Environment (RAE), and large institutional storage initiatives. The position is primarily responsible for architecture, implementation, and lifecycle management for the Facility for Advanced Computing (FAC), storage and systems, including support for large storage environments, NSF‑funded infrastructure, and OS Nexus‑aligned data platforms. It ensures seamless integration between storage systems and the CoreHPC compute cluster, enabling performant, reliable, and scalable data access for AI, data science, and computational research workloads. Responsibilities Design, deploy, and operate large‑scale storage systems across on‑prem and hybrid environments (e.g., VAST, parallel filesystems, enterprise storage platforms). Develop and maintain data movement strategies and tooling (e.g., rsync, rclone, Globus, SMB workflows) to support large‑scale data ingestion, migration, and lifecycle management. Ensure tight integration between storage and HPC compute systems, optimizing throughput, latency, and reliability for distributed workloads. Support and scale storage systems backing major institutional initiatives such as FAC storage and OS Nexus integration. Collaborate closely with DevOps, networking, and security teams to deliver cohesive research infrastructure solutions. Design and implement monitoring, performance tuning, and capacity‑planning strategies for storage and data systems. Troubleshoot complex issues across storage, networking, and compute boundaries. Participate in system upgrades, migrations, and expansion efforts with minimal disruption to researchers. Provide guidance to researchers on data organization, transfer strategies, and performance optimization. Evaluate and recommend emerging storage technologies and architectures. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field and 6+ years of experience with storage infrastructure support and management, or 10+ years of related experience with large‑scale storage systems. 5+ years of experience deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Warewulf (or similar) InfiniBand‑based clusters. Strong knowledge of ZFS, high‑performance parallel filesystems, and enterprise storage such as GPFS, Lustre, VAST, DDN, etc. Advanced knowledge of computer security best practices and policies, including experience securing research cyberinfrastructure systems to meet NIST 800‑171/800‑223, HIPAA, or IS‑3 requirements. Knowledge of HPC job scheduler system design and operation (e.g., SLURM or PBS). Ability to elicit and communicate technical and non‑technical information clearly and concisely. Self‑motivated, works independently and as part of a team, demonstrates problem‑solving skills, learns effectively, and meets deadlines. Understanding of system performance monitoring and actions to improve or correct performance. Advanced experience writing and editing complex scripts used for system maintenance and administration. Demonstrated testing and test‑planning skills, and ability to create automated tests. Ability to write technical documentation and runbooks that define complex technical processes clearly. Preferred Qualifications Expert knowledge of virtual machines, bare‑metal servers, and HPC systems infrastructure design. Knowledge of the design, development, and application of technologies to meet business needs. General knowledge of other IT areas, such as Active Directory, domain controllers, and network infrastructure. Demonstrated skills in adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs and understanding how system management actions affect other systems, users, and related functions. Professional certification in enterprise storage technologies (e.g., NetApp, Dell EMC PowerScale, IBM Storage Scale, VAST, Pure Storage). About UCSF The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate‑level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10‑campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. UCSF brings together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. UCSF is a diverse community. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence—the PRIDE values. We also commit to equity, building a welcoming and supportive community and engaging diverse ideas for culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Salary Information Final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Placement within the salary range is dependent on work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement will be guided by the collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California - San Francisco