Application Systems Engineer Full Time

About the job
Overview

About DDN:

DataDirect Networks (DDN.com) is a world leader in massively scalable storage systems and is also the

world’s largest privately held storage company. Headquartered in Chatsworth, California, we are the

leading provider of data storage and processing solutions and professional services that enable contentrich and high-growth IT environments to achieve the highest levels of systems’ scalability, efficiency and

simplicity. DDN enables enterprises to extract value and deliver results from their information. Our

customers include the world’s leading online content and social networking providers, high performance

cloud and grid computing, life sciences, media production organizations and security & intelligence

organizations. Our product portfolio includes advanced technologies from Tintri (acquired September

2018), Nexenta (acquired May 2019), and IntelliFlash (acquired from Western Digital November 2019).

Learn more about what DDN has to offer, its products, customers and much more at DataDirect Networks

(DDN®) Storage – Home Page

Job Description

We are looking for an Application System Engineer:

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Storage Support Engineer – Linux and Storage

Administrator to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing Parallel File

Systems based on Linux systems and storage infrastructure, including hardware and software

components. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in Linux administration, storage

administration, and a strong understanding of parallel file systems, with a preference for Lustre file system

knowledge. The candidate should also possess basic project management skills and excellent presentation

and communication abilities.

Duties And Responsibilities

Responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to:
Be based as a Professional Engineer working on the premises of one of our largest Bid Data /HPC
Storage customers.
Administer and maintain Linux systems and associated infrastructure in an enterprise
environment.
Manage and troubleshoot storage hardware and software, including Direct Attached, NFS, SMB,
and NAS systems.
Implement and maintain parallel file systems, with a focus on Lustre file systems.
Monitor system performance, identify bottlenecks, and propose solutions to optimize Linux and
storage environments.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deploy new systems, software updates, and
enhancements.
Ensure system security, data integrity, and disaster recovery measures are in place.
Perform regular system backups, data migrations, and storage capacity planning.
Provide technical support and guidance to end-users and resolve system-related issues.
Document system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps for knowledge sharing.
Develop innovative and work around solutions to customers business needs when required.
Programming creative and robust Linux scripts as required.

Go “on site” during weekend or at night when exceptionally required by a Severity 1 call that

requires immediate resolution
Present regular and ad hoc reports as required by management
Professional represent DDN and manage the customer relationship
Qualifications
Educated to BSc level or equivalent.
RedHat Certification
Skills
Ability to Multitask and Thinking out of the Box – not staying stuck, develop innovative solutions
for client needs.
The ability to listen, understand and how to create appropriate solutions.
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Good oral and written communication skills.
strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team-oriented
environment.
Ability to travel (especially within MEA region) to participate in DDN team meetings and training
as well as help out in other installations.

Knowledge/Experience
Proven experience in Linux administration, including installation, configuration, and
troubleshooting of Linux operating systems.
Knowledge of high-performance computing (HPC) environments and cluster
management tools.
Strong understanding of storage administration, including Direct Attached, NFS, SMB,
and NAS systems.
Familiarity with parallel file systems, preferably with Lustre file system knowledge.
Expertise in Scripting (Shell)
Strong knowledge of IP Networking
Proficiency in scripting languages, such as Bash or Python, for automation and system
management tasks.
Knowledge of network protocols and services, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and LDAP.
Experience with virtualization technologies, such as VMware or KVM.
Ability to diagnose and resolve hardware and software-related issues in a timely manner.
The successful candidate will
Operates independently: requires minimal supervision. Can accompany an AE on the 1st visit to
a new customer and leave with a solid understanding of the business problem facing the

customer and what kinds of DDN solutions are likely to solve those business problems.

DDN Internal MEA/2023
Identifies Customer Needs: Seeks to provide an appropriate solution by understanding what the
customer wants to accomplish; spends time in a needs analysis that identifies key objectives

specific to an individual customer; gives the customer’s agenda priority over a standard

response; changes the sales approach or solution to accommodate the customer versus force fit

the customer to an existing model.
Provides Reliable and Accurate Information: Builds credibility by remaining factual and timely in
providing information; maintains his sources for quick access to time-sensitive information and

to stay abreast of new developments; proactively educates customers or shares information as

part of the service they deserve.
Makes One on One Sales Presentations: Communicates essential points in an informal and
conversational manner; prefers to share information in a one-on-one or small group situation;

varies style and language to ensure listener understanding and is attentive to closing the loop on

communications; seeks feedback and responds appropriately to listener reactions; makes

presentations that are unrehearsed and adapted to individual situations.
Delivers Added Value to Customers: Stays in touch with market trends, including environmental
and competitive forces influencing the market, so that he can be seen as a valuable resource to

important constituents internal or external to the organization; constantly seeks information

that will be useful but is not readily available to colleagues; enjoys being sought for advice and

instruction; spends the time to build a base of knowledge that ultimately helps others to be

more effective.
Maximizes Results by Anticipating Obstacles that Could Impede Progress: Able to sort through
bureaucracy, complexity, or politics to focus on required results; is not caught unprepared when

obstacles are encountered

DDN Core Characteristics

DDN Core Competencies

DDN has a very strong orientation towards these four characteristics and any successful employee will

Demonstrate These Capabilities
Self-Starter – Takes independent action to identify and solve problems. Seeks out relevant
information needed to make decisions. Gets involved with new initiatives.
Success/Achievement Orientation – Delivers quality results consistently. Targets, achieves (or
exceeds) measurable results. Sets challenging goals, focuses on critical priorities, and is

accountable.
Problem Solving – Recognizes problems and responds with a systematic assessment that identifies
and addresses cause of issue. Practical, realistic, and resourceful.
Innovative – Builds and improves key business processes that enhance the effectiveness of DDN.
Generates new ideas, challenges the status quo, and solves problems creatively.

DataDirect Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants

will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity,

gender expression, transgender, sex stereotyping, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected

Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law