Building Infrastructure Group Lead

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Building Infrastructure Group Lead for the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). The role leads the team responsible for maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure supporting NERSC’s supercomputing data center, including next-generation systems, liquid-cooled HPC and AI platforms like Doudna, and potential on-premises quantum computing systems. Responsibilities include overseeing electrical and mechanical systems, managing facility upgrades and contractors, coordinating with operations teams, and supporting hardware deployment and maintenance while minimizing downtime. 

You will take a leadership role in evaluating facility needs, developing facility options and overseeing facility upgrade activities in support of NERSC’s next generation supercomputing system, including the possibility of an on-premises quantum computing system. You will also support facility-related upgrades needed to support NERSC’s latest supercomputer system, Doudna, NERSC’s Dell-NVidia HPC and AI supercomputing system. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the data center ensuring its ability to host world-class supercomputing services to support scientific research.

NERSC serves more than 11,000 researchers worldwide with advanced supercomputing and data services supporting the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science mission.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans

• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program 

• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams! 

• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.

• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)

• Pet insurance

You will:

• Lead the team responsible for reliable operation of NERSC’s high-performance computing facility and infrastructure.

• Oversee 24/7 data center operations, including multi-megawatt electrical and cooling systems, with a focus on reliability, uptime, and safety.

• Plan maintenance, manage on-site spares, and coordinate facility upgrades with NERSC staff, contractors, and LBNL teams, while minimizing downtime.

• Supervise staff through scheduling, mentoring, goal setting, and performance management.

• Direct subcontractors and support major power and mechanical infrastructure projects.

• Collaborate with technical teams to support deployment and retirement of compute, storage, and data center systems.

• Develop operational procedures, contingency plans, budgets, and multi-year facility projections.

• Support hands-on operational tasks including equipment installation, cabling, deliveries, and minor hardware repairs.

• Foster a safe, innovative, and policy-compliant work environment.

We are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in facility-related disciplines (architectural, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering) and 10 years’ experience in working at or maintaining large-scale computing facilities, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Master’s degree preferred. 

• Successfully managed or supported a minimum of 2 medium-to-large complex facilities-related projects using standard project management techniques. 

• Have a background or experience in construction, building facilities management, data center operations (including performing a facilities upgrade), or engineering design services with an emphasis on data centers.

• In-depth experience and understanding of complex mechanical and electrical building systems, including demonstrated experience operating and maintaining complex water cooling and HVAC control systems.

• Experience managing vendor contracts and personnel.

• Programming skills for ALC for BMS or demonstrated in some other language.

• Basic understanding of psychrometrics.

• Ability and willingness to respond 24x7 as required.

• Extensive project management skills and experience specifically related to computing facilities.

• Demonstrated proficiency in commonly utilized business software applications including MS Office and Google applications.

• Experience independently prioritizing and coordinating a wide range of responsibilities.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written, demonstrating effective, clear, and concise communication skills.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Familiarity with isolation floors and the requirements for working on and under them.

• Familiarity with free/ambient cooling techniques.

• Familiarity with projects operating under DOE order 413.3b and EVMS.

• Interest in applying machine learning to data center operations.

• Familiarity with large-scale computing systems.

• Familiarity with OSHA and NFPA 70/NFPA 70E requirements for employees and employers in both construction and general industry.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by June 24, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

• Appointment type: This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.

• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $175,272 - $214,236, which fits into the full salary of $155,796 - $262,920 depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.

• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work modality: This position requires substantial on-site presence, but is eligible for a flexible work mode, and hybrid schedules may be considered. Hybrid work is a combination of performing work on-site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA and some telework. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. In rare cases, full-time telework or remote work modes may be considered.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.