Storage Systems Engineer

Job Description This is a two-year contract of employment, inclusive of benefits. The Academic Research Services team at UCSF is seeking a Storage Systems Engineer (SYS ADM 4) to serve as a technical resource in the design, deployment, and operation of large-scale research storage and data infrastructure. This role will work in close partnership 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. This 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. The role 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 Work with the lead to continue supporting the design and evolution of storage architecture across on-prem and hybrid environments, including VAST, parallel filesystems, and 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 (FAC storage, 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 Lead storage-focused projects and contribute to cross‑functional initiatives that improve scalability, usability, and reliability of UCSF’s research computing ecosystem Qualifications Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related area, such as computer science or engineering, and 6+ years of experience with storage infrastructure support and management, or 10+ years of related experience with large‑scale storage systems Demonstrated skill (5 years +) deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Warewulf (or similar) InfiniBand‑based clusters Strong knowledge of ZFS, high‑performance parallel filesystems, and storage such as GPFS, Lustre, VAST, DDN, etc Advanced knowledge of computer security best practices and policies, including demonstrated 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, such as SLURM or PBS Ability to elicit and communicate technical and non‑technical information in a clear and concise manner Self‑motivated and works independently and as part of a team; demonstrates problem‑solving skills; able to learn effectively and meet deadlines Understanding of system performance monitoring and actions that can be taken to improve or correct performance Demonstrated advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with system problem identification and resolution; experience with design, configuration, operation, repair, and tuning of technology systems Advanced experience writing and editing complex scripts used to perform system maintenance and administration Demonstrated testing and test planning skills; demonstrated ability to create automated testing; ability to write technical documentation in a clear and concise manner; develop runbooks defining complex technical processes Preferred Qualifications Expert knowledge of Virtual Machines, Bare Metal Servers & HPC systems infrastructure design Knowledge of the design, development and application of technology and systems to meet business needs General knowledge of other areas of IT. E.g., Active Directory, Domain Controllers, Network Infrastructure Demonstrated skills associated with adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs; comprehensive understanding of how system management actions affect other systems, system users and dependent/related functions Professional certification in enterprise storage technologies (e.g., NetApp, Dell EMC PowerScale, IBM Storage Scale, VAST, Pure Storage) 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 and Benefits The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: #J-18808-Ljbffr UCSF Health