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Open Positions at the Berkeley Seismology Lab
Network Engineer | Systems Administrator
Network Engineer (7566U)
Application Review Date
- The First Review Date for this job is: April 24, 2025 - Open Until Filled
Position Description
The Berkeley Seismology Lab (BSL) operates a large seismic and geophysical network across northern California to collect, analyze, and archive data, for the purposes of earthquake monitoring, early warning and scientific research. In collaboration with the USGS Earthquake Management Project, the BSL jointly operates the northern California component of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System to provide public earthquake information, earthquake early warnings (ShakeAlert system/MyShake app), and long-term earthquake monitoring. For these and other related projects, the BSL is also responsible for training, education, and outreach activities.
BSL operates a network of continuous real-time data collection from remote geophysical stations to centralized processing and archival. Networking infrastructure, with equipment ranging from routers and switches to cellular modems and digital radios, operates across diverse environments, ranging from inside data centers to last-mile station telemetry. Data paths include cellular, radio, microwave, WiFi, Ethernet, and VPN tunnels. This position exists to ensure the performance and resiliency of networking infrastructure, which is vital to earthquake early warning, earthquake monitoring and scientific research.
This is a 100% FTE, 2-year contract with the possibility for extension and/or conversion to career based on available funding.
The primary responsibilities for this position are:
- 30%: Leads the design, specification, configuration, installation, management and troubleshooting of data communications equipment for the flow of data from approximately 200 geophysical field stations to, between, and within multiple data centers, both on-prem and in the cloud. This includes equipment such as cell modems, digital radios, routers/switches, microwave networking infrastructure, and cloud technologies. Oversees, configures, secures, manages, and troubleshoots data communication (ex. Ethernet, T1s, microwave links, VPNs, firewalls, etc.) with outside partners and the public. Develops and implements monitoring and diagnostic tools, software, and procedures.
- 20%: Troubleshoots throughout the data communications network, interacting with a diverse set of contacts, collaborators and service providers to resolve problems. Troubleshooting responsibilities include the hardware, software and security of equipment in the field and data center, but also includes problems with data communications service providers, such as telemetry outages. Reviews and responds to network performance degradation, bandwidth usage, and data flow issues.
- 15%: Oversees, configures, secures, manages and troubleshoots data communications hardware and software within the data center, including redundant VPN gateways, routers, and switches. Works directly with vendor/manufacturer/technical support to isolate and resolve complex hardware and software issues. Configures and troubleshoots systems that support network services.
- 15%: Consults with other units and outside collaborators on planning, implementation and security for jointly used data communications systems. Works with outside partner organizations and stakeholders to ensure compatibility & conformance with their standards for data paths that cross their networks. Participates in cross-functional group discussions, activities and efforts. Provide advice and guidance on data communications infrastructure. Provides expert advice to users/units on data communication issues.
- 15%: Collaboratively reviews with other staff the data flow needs of the organization. Coordinates all phases of multiple, complex network projects: planning, design, procurement, implementation and documentation of completed infrastructure, including maps, figures, and updating database records. Evaluates and tests new, or enhanced, data communications electronics and services, including for security, reliability, robustness, and performance. Explores, develops and manages options for redundant communications paths from remote stations.
- 5%: Other tasks as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
- Thorough understanding of various network hardware platforms, network related protocols and software including understanding of OSI layer 3 protocols and layer 2 protocols at a complex level and related technical standards critical to the operation of interconnected networks.
- In-depth experience with network diagnostic and performance management tools and software, including proactive monitoring and resiliency assessments.
- Thorough and broad knowledge and experience working with network management systems, including configuration revision control, automating tasks, and remote deployments.
- Ability to gather, organize and analyze data in the completion of a variety of functional assignments.
- Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization.
- Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated diverse problem-solving skills.
Salary & Benefits
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000 to $150,000 yearly ($8,333.33 to $12,500.00 monthly). This is a 100% FTE, 2-year contract position eligible for benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.
Job Location
Berkeley, CA
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Network Engineer (7566U) - Berkeley Seismology Lab
Systems Administrator (4471C)
Application Review Date
- The First Review Date for this job is: April 24, 2024 - Open Until Filled
Position Description
The Berkeley Seismological Laboratory (BSL) operates a network of geophysical instrumentation across Northern and Central California. The data collected is analyzed in real-time to produce Earthquake Early Warnings as well as archived for research purposes. The MyShake app delivers earthquake early warning messages to the public on smartphones located in California, Oregon, and Washington. It also collects earthquake experience information from users and provides information about recent earthquakes worldwide.
This position exists for the deployment and operational support of cloud-based backend software and systems that serve smart phone applications such as MyShake, as well as for the deployment and operational needs of other cloud-based BSL projects.
The primary responsibilities for this position are:
- 30%: Monitors and troubleshoots the overall health of cloud-based backend software and systems, performing any daily operational procedures that are not automated. Includes on-call responsibilities along with the continual development of appropriate dashboards and monitoring. Determine and solve load-related issues on the backend, including preemptive scaling to avoid performance degradation.
- 20%: Designs and executes performance, integration, and regression testing before coordinating the deployment of backend and app releases. Automates appropriate build, testing, and deployment pipelines. Proposes and implements system enhancements that will improve the performance and reliability of the system.
- 15%: Designs and deploys configured implementations of the backend, bridging the gap between development and operations. Participates in project architecture and design decisions, especially as they pertain to maintainability, scalability, and reliability.
- 10%: Interacts with senior level internal personnel along with other project team members, to include the training/assisting of local users in the use of custom tools, environments, and datasets.
- 10%: Provides analysis for the design and use of databases within the project, recommends and implements changes in deployment and system standards, and applies industry best practices and department policies to these efforts.
- 5%: Gathers, analyzes, prepares documentation, especially as it pertains to operational support.
- 10%: Other tasks as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
- Advanced IT operational support skills and thorough knowledge of cloud-based (AWS) backend platforms.
- Advanced skills regarding platform design, testing, configuration, deployment, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
- Advanced programming skills.
- Thorough understanding and experience with systems-related issues under Linux and actions that can be taken to improve or correct performance.
- Demonstrated skills associated with adapting equipment and technology to serve project needs with a comprehensive understanding of how system management actions affect other systems, services, and dependent / related functions.
- Must have proficient knowledge of and experience with SQL databases such as MariaDB/PostgreSQL.
- Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team. Demonstrates problem-solving skills.
- Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
- Interpersonal skills in order to work with both technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience automating deployment pipelines highly desired.
- Experience with Python and shell scripting desired.
- Knowledge of and experience with other databases, such as Redis and MongoDB desired.
- Knowledge of and experience with message brokers, such as Kafka, preferred.
- Knowledge of and experience with cloud-based messaging, such as Google Firebase Cloud Messaging and Apple Push Notification, preferred.
- Ability to write technical documentation in a clear and concise manner.
Salary & Benefits
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $113,897.89 to $139,748.59 yearly ($9,491.49 to $11,645.72 monthly). This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.