Principal Computing Services Architect

The expected hiring range for this position is:

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance, sponsorship assistance or referral bonus program. 

About the Role:
Fermilab is seeking a highly experienced Principal Computing Services Architect to support the DARPA-END Project, a mission-critical initiative requiring the design, implementation, and operation of a low-power, high-performance Linux cluster for remote data acquisition and monitoring.

This position supports an advanced computing environment that will operate in an extremely remote location with limited physical access. Success in this role requires an expert capable of architecting secure, resilient, and high-performing infrastructure while ensuring operational reliability, sophisticated monitoring, and long-term system integrity.

This is a limited-term appointment of approximately one year and offers the opportunity to play a key leadership role in a cutting-edge national security and scientific computing project.

What your day-to-day as a Principal Computing Services Architect will look like:

• Configure, implement, integrate, maintain, and/or administer security systems.
• Plan, analyze, design, develop, test, and ensure quality assurance, applying in-depth understanding of interactions between various technologies.
• Act as the highest-level technical expert, addressing problems of systems integration, compatibility, and multiple technologies.
• Lead design discussions and authors design notes.
• Lead design efforts, regularly gathers requirements and information from users for specific projects and obtains feedback.
• Develop and implement specifications for several large inter-related projects and provides oversight for their implementation.
• Work with management to develop security strategies to support Lab’s mission and participates in peer-based working groups or other peer-based activities DOE-wide or across labs.
• Define and maintain security architecture and infrastructure.
• Analyze security logs and monitor security performance and compliance.
• Analyze and plan for anticipated changes in security requirements.
• Develop and administer computer security standards, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate and describe work details and relevant technical matters.
• Localize causes and identify and resolve moderate to complex problems.
• Install, test, maintain, and upgrade security systems hardware and software.
• Troubleshoot problems and recommend actions, applying creativity and taking significant initiative in problem solving.
• Determine methods and procedures on new assignments and provide guidance to other personnel facilitating the transfer of knowledge of technologies.
• Provide consultation to users and Lab leadership in the area of computer security.
• Provide technical leadership on complex projects; formulate and define system scope and objectives.
• Oversee technical negotiations with vendors and approve major purchases.
• May provide supervision or leadership of a team including hiring, promotions, performance reviews, training, disciplinary actions, team exits, and other duties as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Abide by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success:

• Bachelor of Computer Science or a related field with 15+ years of advanced cyber security experience, or a Master of Computer Science or a related field with 13+ years of advanced cyber security experience. 

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Extensive experience of software development practices using a modern high-level language.
• Expert understanding of cyber security concepts.
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to interface with senior leadership. 

Work Arrangement:
Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final. 

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia Office.

Benefits/Perks:
Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care
   

Why Fermilab: 
Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre-Employment Screening:

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening  

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD-12

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities

Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview. 

Equal Opportunity Statement   

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.