Position Function:
The Executive Director of High Performance and Research Computing provides vision, leadership, and oversight for Mississippi State University’s high performance computing and research computing resources and services. This position directs strategic investments in HPC technologies, ensures compliance with federal and institutional requirements, and manages staff supporting HPC and enterprise research computing infrastructure for MSU. The Executive Director serves as the primary institutional liaison with federal agencies and partners for HPC-related grants, contracts, and collaborations, including NOAA, USDA, NSF, DoD, and other sponsoring organizations. The Executive Director also serves as the primary point of contact for MSU’s high performance computing data center, overseeing strategic and operational decisions for the facility. The role requires balancing long-term strategic planning with operational excellence to support MSU’s research mission and government partnerships.
Salary Grade: 21
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The High Performance Computing Collaboratory (HPC²), an evolution of the MSU NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Computational Field Simulation, at Mississippi State University is a coalition of member institutes and centers that share a common core objective of advancing the state-of-the-art in computational science and engineering using high performance computing; a common approach to research that embraces a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented concept; and a commitment to a full partnership between education, research, and service. The mission of the HPC² is to serve the University, State, and Nation through excellence in computational science and engineering.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provides leadership and operational oversight for HPC and institutional research computing services and support.
2. Direct strategic decisions regarding the deployment, investment, and growth of high performance computing infrastructure and research computing activities in alignment with institutional priorities and federal research needs.
3. Serve as the primary liaison for high performance computing efforts with federal government partners and agencies, ensuring compliance with contracts, timely communication, and effective collaboration.
4. Assist in the development of budgets for proposals supporting high performance computing infrastructure and operations, provide strategic input on spending decisions, and collaborate with the Research Business and Operations Center on federally sponsored projects.
5. Lead the preparation and submission of proposals for extramural funding, including federal, state, and industry opportunities, to expand and sustain high performance computing resources and capabilities.
6. Establish technical strategies for computing, networking, storage, backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity to ensure reliable and secure operations.
7. Serve as the primary point of contact for MSU’s high performance computing data center, providing leadership for strategic planning, operations (maintenance, monitoring, power, cooling, and systems integrity), and decision-making related to the facility.
8. Lead compliance efforts with government regulations, audits, and reporting requirements to maintain eligibility for federal contracts.
9. Build and sustain partnerships with federal agencies, industry collaborators, and academic institutions to advance MSU’s high performance computing mission.
10. Direct the recruitment, development, and supervision of high performance computing staff, setting expectations and fostering a high-performance culture, while representing MSU’s HPC enterprise nationally through conferences, advisory boards, and sponsor engagements.
The above essential duties are representative of major duties of positions in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job. Not all of the duties may be assigned to a position.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Ten or more years of experience directly related to HPC or enterprise IT operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and manage complex computing environments.
• Experience working with or on federally sponsored research contracts or cooperative agreements.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident; eligibility to obtain federal security clearance required.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Proven success in securing and managing federal contracts in HPC or advanced computing.
• Broad technical expertise across computing, networking, storage, and cybersecurity.
• Strong skills in leadership, negotiation, and communication with government sponsors.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and manage complex computing environments.
• Experience working with or on federally sponsored research contracts or cooperative agreements.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
• Position requires incumbent to occasionally stand, walk, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly use hands, lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Work is performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Very limited exposure to physical risk.
At this time, MSU is unable to offer H-1B visa sponsorship for this role. This applies until further notice.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
