Freelance Linux Kernel Developer Jobs in Buffalo, NY

Calspan is seeking a highly skilled Systems Administrator to manage our core infrastructure and High Performance Computing (HPC) environments. This role is responsible for the stability of our Windows Servers (including Active Directory, GPO, Domain Controllers, Azure, DHCP, DNS), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) clusters, virtualization layer, and HPE Alletra/Nimble storage systems.

You will act as the primary administrator for our engineering compute resources, supporting critical simulation software such as Ansys Fluent and Star-CCM+. The ideal candidate is an "automate-first" professional who combines strong Linux skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex engineering workloads.

• High Performance Computing (HPC) & Engineering Support
  • HPC Cluster Administration: Deploy, configure, and manage Linux-based HPC clusters. Monitor node health, job queues, and system performance to ensure maximum throughput for engineering simulations.
  • Application Support: Troubleshoot and optimize engineering simulation software, specifically Ansys Fluent and Star-CCM+. Resolve issues related to MPI libraries, parallel processing, and solver convergence errors caused by infrastructure constraints.
  • License Management: Manage floating license servers (e.g., FlexNet/FlexLM) for engineering applications to ensure availability and compliance.
  • Job Scheduling: Administer workload managers/job schedulers (e.g., Slurm, PBS, or LSF) to prioritize and distribute engineering jobs effectively.
• System Administration (Red Hat Focus)
  • RHEL Administration: Expert-level management of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Handle kickstart deployments, satellite management (if applicable), kernel tuning, and security hardening.
  • Virtualization: Manage the hypervisor layer (e.g., VMware vSphere, HyperV). Handle VM provisioning, resource pooling (CPU/RAM), and performance tuning for virtualized engineering workloads.
  • Identity & Access Management: Administer user access in Active Directory/Entra ID, ensuring seamless authentication for both Windows and Linux/HPC environments (via LDAP/SSSD).
• Storage Management (HPE/Nimble Focus)
  • HPE Storage Administration: Manage the complete lifecycle of HPE storage infrastructure, specifically HPE Nimble arrays.
  • Performance Tuning: Optimize storage protocols (NFS/iSCSI) to handle the high I/O throughput required by HPC simulations.
  • Capacity Planning: Utilize HPE InfoSight to monitor trends and forecast storage needs for large engineering datasets.
  • Backups & DR: Maintain robust backup strategies and Disaster Recovery plans for critical engineering data.
• Infrastructure Automation
  • Infrastructure-as-Code: Write and maintain scripts using Python, Bash, or PowerShell to automate cluster node provisioning and system maintenance.
  • Configuration Management: Use tools like Ansible to enforce consistent configurations across the HPC nodes and general server estate.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3–5+ years of experience in Linux Administration, with specific exposure to HPC environments.
• OS Expertise: Deep proficiency in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is required.
• HPC & Software: Experience administering HPC clusters and supporting engineering applications (Ansys Fluent, Star-CCM+).
• Storage: Hands-on experience with HPE Nimble Storage.
• Scripting: Proficiency in Bash or Python for system automation.

Preferred (Bonus) Skills

• Experience with InfiniBand or high-speed low-latency networking.
• Familiarity with job schedulers like Slurm, PBS Pro, or LSF.
• Knowledge of containerized HPC workloads (Singularity/Apptainer).
• Experience with HPE InfoSight analytics.

Why join Calspan?

Be Calspan Culture

At Calspan, we promote an environment that empowers employees and encourages innovation. Our management team enables a strong sense of teamwork with each endeavor, where successes are shared and lessons are learned. The company’s talent brand, “Be Calspan”, incorporates our company values to Be Inclusive, Accountable, and Innovative and our commitment to drive every individual to - Be Developed, Be Balanced, Be Connected, Be Community and Be Recognized. Our culture promotes a positive atmosphere and competitive can-do method of action.

Great Benefits = Happy, Committed Employees 

Retaining great talent is as important as finding it, so at Calspan, we take our employee value proposition of Be Calspan quite seriously. To us, that means offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, recognition programs and promotional opportunities. Our benefits include: Health Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short-Term/Long-Term Disability, 401(k), Hospital Coverage, Accident Coverage, Life Insurance Policy, Paid-Time Off, Company-paid Holidays, Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty, Military Leave, Employee Assistance Program, Educational Assistance Reimbursement , and Pet Insurance.

Calspan 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, or veteran status. Calspan supports safe and drug free workplace through pre-employment background checks and drug testing.

The salary range provided is a general guideline. Actual pay will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and other applicable qualifications.  Calspan is committed to pay transparency in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.