At a Glance
- Tasks: Design, implement, and maintain high-performance computing platforms for groundbreaking fusion energy projects.
- Company: Join First Light Fusion, a pioneering UK-based fusion energy company.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, free lunch, cycle to work scheme, and generous share options.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious team transforming the future of clean energy with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or equivalent, with strong HPC and programming skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
First Light Fusion Ltd is a pioneering UK-based fusion energy company at the forefront of developing breakthrough inertial fusion technology. At the heart of our mission is FLARE — First Light’s next-generation fusion approach designed to accelerate the path toward practical, clean, and limitless energy. By combining world-leading expertise in advanced physics, simulation & machine learning, and innovative engineering, FLARE represents a bold step forward in delivering scalable fusion solutions.
Alongside our fusion program, First Light Fusion also delivers commercial services and partnerships applying our simulation tools and hydrodynamic amplification technology to solve complex challenges across a range of advanced industries. Joining First Light Fusion means being part of an ambitious team shaping one of the most exciting energy transformations of our time.
We run and maintain our own High Performance Computing resource to ensure constant availability for the computations that underpin our approach. The workload varies from precision single runs to thousands of simulations in parallel, enabling exhaustive design space exploration and robust statistical assurance. Our multi-scale, multi-physics toolsets model hydrodynamics, thermal conduction, material strength, radiation transport, and resistive magnetohydrodynamics, backed by proprietary atomic-scale models for extreme accuracy. AI integration accelerates design cycles, automates optimisation, and continuously calibrates models with experimental data for maximum predictive confidence.
Role Purpose
We are looking for a Lead HPC Engineer, or a Senior HPC Engineer with ambition to reach a higher level of responsibility, with a strong understanding of designing, implementing, and maintaining HPC platforms. You will be working to support our existing HPC cluster of over 10,000 cores and associated storage. You will be a member of the Software & HPC Engineering team. The team works closely with the Computational Physics and the Data-Driven Engineering Departments to provide the hardware and software platform for running our codes. This includes maintaining a consistent environment for our various codes to run in, quality assurance, builds, continuous integration, quality control, deployment, monitoring, and general software development. Focusing on the HPC function, you will also work closely with the business IT team.
Current Systems
- Two server rooms mostly for HPC but shared with business IT.
- The whole HPC complex is currently air-gapped which requires on-site working.
- Hardware: AMD EPYC Dell servers, Intel XEON SuperMicro and Intel servers, 4TB and 8TB SSDs, 100Gb LAN.
- Base software: AlmaLinux 8.10, Ubuntu 22.04, Lustre 2.15 and 2.16, GlusterFS 11, NFS Ganesha 5, Ansible, Ganglia, Slurm.
- Developer software: G++ 14, CLANG C++ 20, Fortran 2008+, MPICH 4.3, OpenMPI 5.0, Python 3, VTK, ParaView.
- Tools: Bitbucket, JIRA, Jenkins (maintained by business IT).
Responsibilities
- Maintain hardware, cooperating with vendor support.
- Maintain base software.
- Monitor status and performance and fix issues.
- Backup critical data and configuration.
- Perform maintenance according to user activity.
- Profile performance and seek improvements.
- Provide status updates to team leaders and user representatives.
- Communicate major issues or developments to the user community.
- Record major user requests and user issues and provide resolutions.
- Provide documentation on the HPC cluster and its operation to other systems engineers and to the users.
- Solicit requirements and provide budget plans for upgrades and replacements.
- Negotiate with vendors for purchases.
- Assist with other work in the Software & HPC Engineering team as needed.
- Perform other tasks compatible with skills as needed.
Core skills, knowledge and attributes
- Degree in Computer Science, or equivalent.
- Good knowledge of Linux, high performance computing, high performance storage, and high-speed interconnect networking.
- Familiarity with MPI, C++, Fortran 2008+ programming.
- Understanding of scheduling systems.
- High level scripting experience in configuration management, Shell, Python, using Git for version control.
- Understanding of specifying a system to meet simulation requirements through to implementation and ongoing support.
- Fast and effective problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to work.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- In depth knowledge of MPI, C++, Fortran 2008+.
- Experience with Ansible configuration management.
- Experience of specifying a system to meet simulation requirements through to implementation and ongoing support.
- Profiling existing codes and optimising hardware/software to deliver the best performance.
- Containerisation (Singularity, Apptainer).
- Familiarity with system deployment tools.
- Prior work on air-gapped networks.
- SQL DBMS queries and experience with HPC accounting databases.
- Education and training of end users.
Package
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Free onsite parking
- Free lunch, snacks and soft drinks
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Generous share options scheme
- 8% employer pension contribution without matching requirements
Senior/Lead HPC Engineer in Yarnton employer: First Light Fusion
First Light Fusion Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration in the pursuit of clean energy solutions. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities and a supportive culture that encourages creativity and problem-solving. Located in the UK, our team enjoys competitive benefits including generous annual leave, free onsite amenities, and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive in the cutting-edge field of fusion energy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Lead HPC Engineer in Yarnton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, meetups, or online webinars related to HPC and fusion energy. Connecting with professionals in the field can open doors and give us insider info on job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your HPC projects, simulations, or any relevant work. This gives potential employers a taste of what we can bring to the table beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical questions specific to HPC and the tools mentioned in the job description. We should be ready to discuss our experience with Linux, MPI, and performance optimisation techniques.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our innovative team at First Light Fusion.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Lead HPC Engineer in Yarnton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience with HPC platforms and relevant technologies. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at First Light Fusion, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about fusion energy and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about the role and our work.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Be sure to include specific examples of your experience with Linux, MPI, and any other relevant tools mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess and problem-solving abilities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Light Fusion
✨Know Your HPC Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of high-performance computing systems, especially the specific technologies mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with AMD EPYC and Intel XEON servers, as well as your familiarity with Linux and MPI. This will show that you're not just a good fit but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled complex issues in previous roles. Think about specific challenges you've faced with HPC platforms or software development, and be ready to explain your thought process and the solutions you implemented. This will demonstrate your methodical approach and fast problem-solving skills.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication is key in this role, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to explain technical concepts in a way that non-technical team members can understand. This will highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a diverse team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the current challenges the HPC team is facing or how they measure success in their projects. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
