At Houston Methodist, the Lead Application Analyst is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and optimization of a Linux-based High Performance Computing (HPC) clustered environment used in support of Research Activities at Houston Methodist. This role encompasses hardware, operating systems, networking, and storage systems. The successful candidate will implement and manage clusters and desktops to ensure efficient system operation. The position also requires monitoring and documenting the environment, and adherence to corporate change management processes.

Essential Job Functions

• Implement, maintain, and manage a High Performance Computing environment for research staff, including 3 clusters, 2 storage systems, associated networking, and desktops.
• Manage user access and authentication, including PAM and LDAP integration.
• Design and develop scripts for system administration, task automation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Support data migration and loading into the environment from internal and external sources.
• Create and maintain documentation related to system configurations, processes, and inventory.
• Install and maintain (primarily open-source) applications in the HPC environment.
• Ensure continuous network connectivity and high availability across all systems.
• Optimize performance of HPC systems, infrastructure, and storage.
• Design, implement, and manage security best practices across the various technologies.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging HPC technologies.
• Familiar with Data Center practices
• Provide hybrid support, including occasional after-hours support and participation in an on-call rotation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field required.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in HPC, research computing, or production IT environments.
• Strong experience with Linux distributions (Rocky Linux, Ubuntu); experience with Windows Server/cluster; Windows desktop environment.
• Experience with SLURM or other workload/job management systems.
• Experience with NVIDIA Base Command Manager Cluster Manager, or similar cluster manager software
• Hands-on experience with high-performance/clustered storage systems (e.g., VAST Data) and storage protocols (NFS, SMB), including RDMA.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (Bash, Python, Perl).
• Strong knowledge of networking and internet standards, including TCP/IP and InfiniBand networking.
• Experience with system services such as DHCP, DNS, LDAP, and Active Directory.
• Familiarity with Conda environments, Python, and open-source software installation.
• Proven hardware troubleshooting skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
• Customer-focused with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Lenovo hardware, Mellanox networking equipment, NVIDIA GPUs, and DGX systems a plus.
• Cloud computing experience (AWS, Azure) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across functions in an inclusive, growth-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy regulations and best practices.

The position entails assisting, training and supporting junior analysts with the operation and administration of systems. The Lead Application Analyst position works with customers at all levels in the organization to enhance their understanding of available tools to enhance operational efficiencies. This position manages customer expectations and deliverables and responsibilities may include creating custom solutions or advanced configuration options to solve operational or workflow issues. The Lead Application Analyst position manages troubleshooting of issues and problems within related IT applications and manages applications and related services and contributes to the successful mission of the department. This position applies skills in line with Houston Methodist values and goals, to assure the efficient, effective and consistent delivery of high-quality IT services.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Initiates and maintains positive relationships with key customers and co-workers. Supports and evaluates change management efforts on assigned solutions.

• Participates in interviewing process for hiring potential team members. Provides input into team members' annual evaluations. Assists in the development and execution of team building exercises.

• Serves as role model and mentor. Assists, trains and supports team members.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Effectively communicates with customers, providing proactive updates and alerts to potential issues, major system outages, disaster management and change control. Develops clear messaging to customers and management on plans for issue resolution, status updates and their effect on the department to customers.

• Directs deliverables and distributes work assignments.

• Manages large scale projects. Proactively coordinates regular status sessions.

• Partners with customers and team members to coordinate discovery, planning, or follow up sessions. Translate business requirements into viable solutions, Identifies potential benefits, and re-engineers workflow/processes to achieve anticipated benefits.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implements and supports large, complex applications with technical experience in systems analysis, design, building, testing, and implementation.

• Performs high level administration of applications and ensures quality delivery of application availability by directing work product of team members. Evaluates effectiveness of work product.

• Participates in setting, monitoring, and meeting Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key customers. Monitors and evaluates project outcomes.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies solutions to optimize performance of existing systems and gains customer consensus on instituting changes. Institutes changes when approved.

• Provides input to department budgeting process.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Fosters an environment that encourages innovation, continuous improvement and growth. Seeks out opportunities to stay up to date on the latest technology relevant to the team and technology roadmap. Evaluates and recommends technologies for growth and long term planning.

• Ensures consistency in changes to process, tools, and overall practice are developed, ensuring a focus on continued integration and overall system benefit.

• Actively seeks opportunities to lead initiatives. Participates in professional development. Completes My Development Plan.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration or related field or experience working as a licensed clinical or certified professional or an additional four years' experience in additional to the experience listed below in lieu of Bachelors or licensed clinical or certified IT professional experience

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years' experience in direct support and/or development of clinical or business applications

• Experience supporting large scale clinical, ancillary or business environments

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.

• Expert knowledge and skill in multiple healthcare applications or clinical or business workflows.

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to positively influence others to meet team goals.

• Strong desire to pursue management career path.

• Ability to lead projects independently.

• Ability and skill to expertly manage systems and to engineer solutions with IT customers and vendors.

• Demonstrates strong knowledge of Project Management Methodologies through system implementations.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.