LIGO Lab General Computing Manager

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled LIGO Lab General Computing Manager to join its team.

This position could be located in Livingston, LA, Hanford WA or Pasadena, CA. This is not a remote position.

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at www.ligo.caltech.edu

Job Summary

The General Computing (GC) Manager will oversee the daily Information Technology operations of the LIGO Laboratory. This leadership role encompasses comprehensive responsibility for the organization's IT infrastructure and services.

This is a Campus Critical position. An employee designated as campus critical is expected to be aware of the campus emergency management plan and to report to Campus as soon as possible in the event of an emergency to assist in campus wide response and recovery efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

The position reports directly to the LIGO General Computing IT Manager and involves significant strategic responsibilities, including annual budget development, NSF work plan creation, and both establishing and implementing the Laboratory's IT objectives.

The General Computing Manager position can be physically located at any of the LIGO facilities.

• Direct management of Data Center operations, including Windows and Linux server environments.
• Oversight of network infrastructure, including IPv4/IPv6 protocols and campus-wide WiFi deployment.
• Administration of cloud computing resources, particularly AWS environments.
• Coordination of endpoint support for Windows and Mac systems.
• Management of peripheral devices including printers, plotters, and IoT hardware.
• Supervision of systems automation, virtualization clusters, data backup solutions, and data management systems.

Essential Job Duties

Leadership & Staff Management:

• Supervise a technical team of 5-8 general computing professionals across multiple physical locations (CIT, LHO, and LLO).
• Drive professional development through the Trakstar performance management system.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and direction to all direct reports and matrixed staff.
• Serve on the LIGO Executive Committee and Staffing Committee.
• Chair multiple operational committees, including General Computing, LIGO Network Committee, and others as required

Financial Management:

• Oversee comprehensive IT budgets for hardware, software, networking, and travel.
• Collaborate with the LIGO business office to develop and maintain 5-year budget cycles.
• Manage and approve staff travel, travel reports, and monthly goods and services reports.

Technical Operations Oversight:

• Direct management of data center operations, including:
  • Advanced systems management through Puppet and Ansible.
  • Proxmox PVE virtualization technologies.
  • AWS cloud infrastructure.
  • Enterprise backup solutions.
  • Network infrastructure (IPv4/IPv6 and campus-wide WiFi).
• Supervise the General Computing help desk and all related subsystems:
  • Support for Windows, Apple, and Linux endpoints.
  • Management of peripheral devices (printers, plotters, IoT).
  • Administration of Windows and Linux servers across multiple data centers.

Strategic Planning & Innovation:

• Lead GC development team in maintaining and evolving legacy applications.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, maintenance plans, and upgrade processes.
• Initiate and direct technology transformation projects from legacy to modern solutions.
• Identify and implement efficiency improvements throughout laboratory operations.

Additional Requirements:

• Travel up to 10% for offsite meetings and professional development.
• Contribute to NSF work plans and organizational IT goal-setting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or computer information systems, or the equivalent experience.
• 5+ years supervising (or group leader) technical staff in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• 10+ years' experience with Data Center Operations, networking, Windows and Linux Server Administration, cloud computing, systems automation, virtualization and data backup technologies.
• 5 years experience supporting Windows, Mac and Linux endpoints and peripherals such as printers, plotters, WIFI and other IoT devices.
• Basic understanding of Industrial Control Systems in a Scientific Campus environment.
• Very Strong Networking skills including TCP/IP (IPv4 and IPv6), LDAP, DNS, WIFI and Layer 2/3 networking.
• 5+ years' experience with managing technical budgets and cost controls preferably in a Scientific Research environment.
• General knowledge of IT Security concepts.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time for offsite meetings, training and supervision of staff at LIGO sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in computer science or computer information systems, or the equivalent experience.
• 10+ years supervising (or group leader) technical staff in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• 15+ years experience with Data Center Operations, networking, Windows and Linux Server Administration, cloud computing, systems automation, virtualization and data backup technologies.
• 10 years experience supporting Windows, Mac and Linux endpoints and peripherals such as printers, plotters, WIFI and other IoT devices.
• Strong understanding of Industrial Control Systems in a Scientific Campus environment.
• 8+ years experience with managing technical budgets and cost controls preferably in a Scientific Research environment.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover letter summarizing your relevant experience and your interest in working at LIGO