At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and operation of secure, high-performance computing environments.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge tech firm focused on HPC and cyber security.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, security clearance support, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage with diverse teams and technologies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in high-tech environments while enhancing your cyber security skills.
- Qualifications: Proven HPC expertise and strong cyber security background required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced High-Performance Computing (HPC) / Data Centre Subject Matter Expert (SME) with a strong cyber security background to support the design, build, and operation of secure, high-availability compute environments. You’ll work closely with technical and non-technical stakeholders across architecture, engineering, operations, and security teams.
Clearance Requirements
- Active UK security clearance: SC / DV / eDV or equivalent high-level access such as UKIC / STRAP (where applicable)
- Must be eligible to work in the UK and able to work in controlled environments (site-based / restricted areas as required)
Key Responsibilities
- Provide SME-level input into HPC/data centre architecture, including compute, storage, and high-speed networking.
- Support delivery of resilient, scalable, and performance-optimised environments for demanding workloads.
- Lead / contribute to capacity planning, performance tuning, benchmarking, and workload optimisation.
- Define and improve operational processes for availability, recoverability, monitoring, and incident response.
- Work with engineering teams to drive best practice across build, automation, and lifecycle management.
Cyber Security
- Build security into HPC and data centre designs (e.g., segmentation, hardening, privileged access, logging).
- Work with security teams to implement and maintain security controls without impacting performance.
- Support vulnerability management and remediation across infrastructure and operating systems.
- Help integrate security monitoring (e.g., log collection, alerting) into the wider operational model.
- Contribute to security-related documentation (designs, runbooks, procedures).
Proven background as an HPC / data centre SME (architecture and/or operations). Strong cyber security experience in secure or regulated environments. Demonstrable knowledge across:
- HPC platforms (cluster design, schedulers, compute architectures, accelerators where relevant)
- High-performance storage concepts (throughput/IOPS, parallel file systems, tiering)
- Data centre networking (high bandwidth/low latency, routing/switching fundamentals, segmentation)
- Security fundamentals (system hardening, identity and access, audit/logging, secure remote access)
Experience producing clear technical documentation (HLD/LLD, SOPs, runbooks). Comfortable engaging stakeholders from hands‑on engineering through to senior technical leaders. Automation / IaC exposure (e.g., Ansible, Terraform) in infrastructure environments. Experience with GPU/accelerated compute stacks and performance engineering (where relevant).
HPC Data Centre SME employer: IO Associates
Contact Detail:
IO Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HPC Data Centre SME
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the HPC and data centre world! Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and successes in HPC and cyber security. Use real examples to demonstrate how you’ve tackled challenges and improved processes.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every job is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to the specific role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description. This shows you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework!
✨Apply Through Us!
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your application in the best light possible.
We think you need these skills to ace HPC Data Centre SME
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your HPC and cyber security experience. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page about what you bring to the table.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve improved performance or security in previous roles to grab our attention.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you’re passionate about HPC and data centres, and how your skills align with our needs. Keep it engaging and personal!
Apply Through Our Website: We love it when you apply directly through our website! It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get the best experience possible during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at IO Associates
✨Know Your HPC Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HPC platforms, storage concepts, and data centre networking. Be ready to discuss specific architectures and performance tuning strategies you've implemented in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Showcase Your Cyber Security Savvy
Since a strong cyber security background is crucial for this role, prepare examples of how you've integrated security into HPC designs. Talk about your experience with vulnerability management and how you've maintained security controls without compromising performance.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This job involves working closely with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated complex ideas to different audiences. Highlight your ability to bridge the gap between engineering teams and senior leaders.
✨Prepare for Technical Documentation Questions
Expect questions about your experience producing technical documentation like HLDs, LLDs, and runbooks. Be ready to discuss how you ensure clarity and accuracy in your documentation, as this is key for operational processes and incident response.