Virginia Tech
Research Software Engineer
🇺🇸 Blacksburg, VA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $79K - $97K
💻 Software Engineering
🗓️ August 7th, 2025
Python
Edtech.com's Summary
Virginia Tech is hiring a Research Software Engineer for a one-year restricted appointment to develop high-performance computing (HPC) tools that support advanced research and innovation. The engineer will collaborate with computational science and system engineering teams to build, test, and deploy research computing applications within ARC's scalable research computing infrastructure.
Highlights
- Develop, test, and deploy HPC applications supporting Virginia Tech's research community.
- Collaborate with ARC computational science and system engineering teams on software development and system integration.
- Use Linux system administration, programming (C/C++, Java, Python), virtualization, containerization, and cloud computing in projects.
- Manage security posture and cybersecurity tools of research computing systems.
- Conduct usability testing and improve web-based user interfaces and tools.
- Required qualifications: Master's degree in related field or Bachelor's with experience, Linux admin, shell scripting, multi-language programming, Git version control, troubleshooting, and clear documentation skills.
- Preferred qualifications include experience in computational research, scientific software development, AI/ML frameworks, and familiarity with research computing ecosystem software (Open OnDemand, Globus, Slurm, GPUs, HPC storage).
- Salary range: $79,000 - $97,000 annually.
- Appointment is a one-year restricted term with potential for extension; exempt from overtime.
- Supports a diverse academic community with access to large-scale HPC resources (50,000+ CPU cores, 500+ GPUs, 10+ petabytes storage).
Research Software Engineer Full Description
Job Description
Virginia Tech Advanced Research Computing (ARC) seeks a Research Software Engineer for a one-year restricted role developing HPC tools supporting cutting-edge research and innovation.
ARC hosts state-of-the-art, scalable research computing infrastructure to serve the academic and research community at VT. The CS-RSE will work in concert with ARC computational science and system engineering teams within ARC to undertake software development and system integration projects. The primary focus of their effort will be to build, test, and deploy research computing applications for the VT community.
Candidates should have:
- the ability to undertake complex software and system integration projects, develop of systems tools, and use system performance metrics in problem resolution and efficient use of production systems is needed for success in these projects.
- the ability to understand HPC software and infrastructure requirements from the research community and translate them into effective solutions.
- knowledge of high-performance computing environments and affiliated scientific tools and software.
- a strong background in the Linux system administration, compiled and interpreted programming languages and web hosting technologies.
- experience using virtualization/containerization techniques and cloud computing best practices including network and data security.
The successful candidate will:
- investigate emerging technologies in the operation of research computing, storage, and networking.
- help develop applications within the research computing ecosystem (web portal, visualization tools, virtualization/containerization and cloud technologies) for increased research productivity and collaboration.
- help build tools to interconnect datasets, applications, and computing/storage resources.
- develop and manage the security posture of research systems. Responsible for operating, tuning, and reviewing maintenance of all cybersecurity tools, software suites, devices, appliances and systems. Ensures systems meet security and disaster recovery requirements of the institution, research, and data.
- provide support for the use of applications, virtualization, and containerization technologies to research workflows.
- perform usability testing of web-based user interfaces and related tools and design experiments to improve usability of those tools.
The Virginia Tech research portfolio has computational needs from a broad spectrum of domain areas in science, engineering, the arts, and more. ARC enables groundbreaking research and discovery by providing centralized, scalable computing resources and advanced research computing and visualization services. ARC systems currently host 50,000+ CPU cores, 500+ advanced GPUs, and 10+ petabytes of storage. We stay abreast of novel and developing trends in research computing and attempt to deliver high-value systems suited to the needs exhibited by the VT research community.
This position offers opportunities to mentor students, contribute to open-source software projects, attend research and trade conferences, and participate in sponsored projects. ARC serves a large and diverse research community, and we seek applications from people of all backgrounds, and encourage those belonging to groups that are often underrepresented in STEM fields to apply.
ARC hosts state-of-the-art, scalable research computing infrastructure to serve the academic and research community at VT. The CS-RSE will work in concert with ARC computational science and system engineering teams within ARC to undertake software development and system integration projects. The primary focus of their effort will be to build, test, and deploy research computing applications for the VT community.
Candidates should have:
- the ability to undertake complex software and system integration projects, develop of systems tools, and use system performance metrics in problem resolution and efficient use of production systems is needed for success in these projects.
- the ability to understand HPC software and infrastructure requirements from the research community and translate them into effective solutions.
- knowledge of high-performance computing environments and affiliated scientific tools and software.
- a strong background in the Linux system administration, compiled and interpreted programming languages and web hosting technologies.
- experience using virtualization/containerization techniques and cloud computing best practices including network and data security.
The successful candidate will:
- investigate emerging technologies in the operation of research computing, storage, and networking.
- help develop applications within the research computing ecosystem (web portal, visualization tools, virtualization/containerization and cloud technologies) for increased research productivity and collaboration.
- help build tools to interconnect datasets, applications, and computing/storage resources.
- develop and manage the security posture of research systems. Responsible for operating, tuning, and reviewing maintenance of all cybersecurity tools, software suites, devices, appliances and systems. Ensures systems meet security and disaster recovery requirements of the institution, research, and data.
- provide support for the use of applications, virtualization, and containerization technologies to research workflows.
- perform usability testing of web-based user interfaces and related tools and design experiments to improve usability of those tools.
The Virginia Tech research portfolio has computational needs from a broad spectrum of domain areas in science, engineering, the arts, and more. ARC enables groundbreaking research and discovery by providing centralized, scalable computing resources and advanced research computing and visualization services. ARC systems currently host 50,000+ CPU cores, 500+ advanced GPUs, and 10+ petabytes of storage. We stay abreast of novel and developing trends in research computing and attempt to deliver high-value systems suited to the needs exhibited by the VT research community.
This position offers opportunities to mentor students, contribute to open-source software projects, attend research and trade conferences, and participate in sponsored projects. ARC serves a large and diverse research community, and we seek applications from people of all backgrounds, and encourage those belonging to groups that are often underrepresented in STEM fields to apply.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, science, or related field, or Bachelor's degree and significant years of relevant experience
- Basic Linux system administration and shell scripting.
- Programming experience in multiple major languages (e.g., C/C++, Java, Python)
- Working experience with development and deployment of web services
- Working experience with version control systems, particularly Git
- Significant working experience troubleshooting complex technical issues
- Significant working experience communication skills; ability to write clear documentation for users and developers
- Basic Linux system administration and shell scripting.
- Programming experience in multiple major languages (e.g., C/C++, Java, Python)
- Working experience with development and deployment of web services
- Working experience with version control systems, particularly Git
- Significant working experience troubleshooting complex technical issues
- Significant working experience communication skills; ability to write clear documentation for users and developers
Preferred Qualifications
- Working experience conducting research in a computational field
- Working experience in developing and implementing scientific software applications
- Working experience using artificial intelligence and machine learning application frameworks
- Working experience and technical understanding of research computing ecosystem technology and software such as Open OnDemand, Globus, Slurm, ColdFront, GPU accelerators, and high-performance storage.
- Familiarity with high-performance and parallel computing software and technologies
- Working experience in developing and implementing scientific software applications
- Working experience using artificial intelligence and machine learning application frameworks
- Working experience and technical understanding of research computing ecosystem technology and software such as Open OnDemand, Globus, Slurm, ColdFront, GPU accelerators, and high-performance storage.
- Familiarity with high-performance and parallel computing software and technologies
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
One year restricted appointment, with the potential to be extended
Salary Information
$79,000 - $97,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
8/18/2025
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact IT Human Resources at ithr@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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