Computational Systems Engineer

Saalex is seeking a Computational Systems Engineer (CSE) in China Lake, CA . The selected candidate will be responsible for the architecture, design, initial implementation, automation, and comprehensive documentation of highly customized Red Hat OpenShift environments supporting virtual machines across multiple air-gapped, classified High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems. This position will develop a mature, automated platform that enables System Administrators (SAs) to perform routine operations, maintenance, and VM lifecycle activities without requiring specialized expertise in OpenShift, disconnected environments, or advanced automation.

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $135k-$190k (depending upon experience) - $5k relocation/sign on bonus available!

Work Location: Onsite – China Lake/Ridgecrest, CA.

Essential Functions

• Architect and design Red Hat OpenShift solutions for air-gapped HPC environments, including offline installation, update strategies, and integration of GPU/vGPU resources for virtual machines.
• Lead the initial implementation and ongoing evolution of OpenShift clusters, Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) workflows, and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) solutions.
• Develop and refine Ansible playbooks and AAP workflows that automate VM provisioning, configuration, redeployment, and routine administrative activities.
• Design automation that abstracts technical complexity and enables generalized System Administrators to reliably perform routine operational tasks.
• Develop clear and comprehensive technical documentation, runbooks, and operational guides to support long-term administration and sustainment.
• Design VM templates, resource-allocation models, and self-service workflows that maximize utilization of available CPU cores, memory, storage, and vGPU resources.
• Establish repeatable and sustainable processes for content mirroring, offline updates, and GPU device management within disconnected environments.
• Collaborate with security, HPC, and operations teams during architecture, design, implementation, and transition activities.
• Ensure delivered solutions meet applicable classification, security, performance, maintainability, and operational requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required

• Deep technical expertise with Red Hat OpenShift, including extensive experience implementing and operating disconnected/air-gapped OpenShift environments.
• Strong proficiency with Ansible and Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) for enterprise-scale automation.
• Strong Linux systems administration experience.
• Experience with virtualization technologies, including KubeVirt and/or OpenShift Virtualization, and virtual machine lifecycle management.
• Experience developing or maintaining Infrastructure-as-Code and automated provisioning/configuration workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to work within secure, offline, classified, or highly regulated computing environments.
• Strong technical documentation skills with the ability to develop operational procedures and runbooks that can be followed by generalized System Administrators.

Desired

• Experience integrating and managing GPU/vGPU resources within virtualized or containerized environments.
• Familiarity with High-Performance Computing (HPC) architectures and resource scheduling concepts.
• Experience designing VM templates and resource-allocation strategies involving CPU cores, memory, storage, and GPU/vGPU resources.
• Experience developing self-service or automated VM provisioning workflows.
• Familiarity with offline content mirroring, disconnected software repositories, and update management.
• Experience collaborating with security, HPC, infrastructure, and operations teams in classified or DoD-style environments.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical field OR Certified Senior System Administrator (SA) credential required.

Security Clearance

• Active TS/SCI security clearance required. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.

Benefits

• Employer Paid Health Care Plans for Employees & Family
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources
• Stock Option Benefit