Bull’s High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence & Quantum Business Unit is seeking a Hybrid Hardware & Software Support Engineer to join our HPC Services team. This is a highly visible, customer-facing operational role supporting advanced HPC infrastructures in the UK.
You will work across computing, storage, and networking layers, ensuring the deployment, stability, and performance of large-scale Linux-based systems. Prior HPC experience is an advantage but is not mandatory; strong Linux and infrastructure engineers eager to grow into HPC and AI are encouraged to apply.
Location and clearance
Primarily on-site at a customer facility near Reading, Berkshire, with occasional support for additional HPC installations across Europe. Applicants must be eligible for UK DV Security Clearance.
Key responsibilities
- Install, configure, and integrate HPC cluster components, including compute, storage, and networking.
- Perform system installation, initial configuration, and operational readiness checks.
- Apply patches and updates and conduct routine maintenance activities.
- Provide Level 1 and Level 2 operational support for HPC environments.
- Diagnose and resolve issues involving Linux operating systems, enterprise server hardware, high-speed interconnects, and storage subsystems.
- Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
- Monitor system health and respond proactively to incidents.
- Perform troubleshooting in secure, mission-critical environments.
- Maintain accurate documentation of incidents and resolutions.
- Act as the primary technical contact on-site and communicate about incidents, planned maintenance, and system status.
- Build trusted relationships with customer technical stakeholders and represent Bull professionally.
Core technical skills
- Strong Linux expertise in Red Hat and/or Debian-based environments.
- Understanding of enterprise server hardware, including CPU, memory, storage, and diagnostics.
- Scripting skills in Bash and/or Python.
- Strong networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, routing, switching, and security basics.
- Hands-on experience with infrastructure deployment, configuration, and maintenance.
- Excellent troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
- A proactive mindset and ability to work independently.
Desirable skills and experience
- HPC clusters.
- High-speed networking, including 40/100GbE and InfiniBand.
- Virtualisation technologies such as KVM and OpenStack.
- Storage systems such as Ceph and SAN/NAS.
- Parallel filesystems including Lustre, GPFS, and BeeGFS.
- Containers such as Docker, Podman, and Kubernetes.
- Configuration management with Ansible or Puppet.
- Monitoring and observability tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and Icinga.
- Workload managers such as Slurm and PBS Pro.
- Git version control.
Candidate profile
- Hands-on, operationally focused, and detail oriented.
- Comfortable working in secure, mission-critical environments.
- Methodical when troubleshooting under pressure.
- Clear communicator with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Takes ownership of incidents through to resolution.
- Motivated to learn continuously and expand technical expertise.
Education and experience
- Option 1: Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field plus at least 2 years of relevant experience.
- Option 2: 5 or more years of relevant industry experience.
- Strong early-career candidates with solid technical foundations will also be considered.
Benefits
- Work on advanced HPC and digital infrastructure projects.
- Continuous learning and technical skill development.
- Career growth within a global technology organisation.
- Participation in internal initiatives and community-focused activities.