Research User Computing Lead

About the Role

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) is seeking a Research User Computing Lead to provide hands-on technical leadership for its Linux scientific workstation platform. This full-time role, based in Thuwal, Makkah, involves responsibility for the architecture, provisioning, configuration, automation, security, and lifecycle management of these platforms. The Lead will ensure that high-performance Linux workstations and remote workstation services effectively support faculty, researchers, and students across research and teaching activities.

Role Context and Leadership

While primarily focused on Linux, the Research User Computing Lead will also supervise and provide technical direction to Windows and macOS engineers supporting the wider end-user computing fleet. This includes ensuring alignment, consistency, and reliable service delivery across all platforms. The role requires 5-10 years of experience in a relevant field, contributing to the strategic direction and operational excellence of research computing environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the architecture and technical direction for KAUST’s Linux scientific workstation fleet, including configuration management, provisioning, inventory, patching, access control, security, and lifecycle management.
• Establish infrastructure-as-code, GitOps, automation, and engineering standards for the Linux platform team, and provide technical direction for Windows and macOS endpoint platforms.
• Lead and document build-vs-buy and tooling decisions for provisioning, configuration management, secrets management, observability, and fleet operations.
• Own the design and continuous improvement of physical and remote scientific workstation platforms, ensuring secure, high-performance access for users.
• Oversee platform operations, including bare-metal and virtual provisioning, patch orchestration, inventory, drift detection, observability, reliability, and service continuity.
• Own the security and compliance posture of the workstation fleet, including host hardening, secrets management, audit logging, and alignment with frameworks such as NIST 800-171 and CIS Benchmarks.
• Define hardware standards, refresh cycles, model validation, driver compatibility, firmware and BIOS automation, and lifecycle plans.
• Lead, mentor, supervise, and develop the workstation platform team, including Windows and macOS engineers.
• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for complex platform, provisioning, access-control, hardware, and cross-platform endpoint issues.
• Work directly with faculty, researchers, students, vendors, and internal IT teams to translate research and teaching needs into sustainable platform capabilities.
• Partner with network, security, IAM, storage, and advanced computing teams to deliver integrated, secure, and compliant platform services.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to senior IT leadership on platform direction, risks, lifecycle planning, investment needs, and service improvements.

Required Experience

Candidates should possess 5-10 years of experience in managing and leading technical teams focused on end-user computing platforms, with a strong emphasis on Linux environments. Experience with infrastructure-as-code, automation, and security best practices for workstation fleets is essential.

Collaboration and Communication

The role requires strong collaboration skills to work effectively with various stakeholders, including faculty, researchers, students, vendors, and internal IT teams. Excellent communication skills are necessary to articulate technical concepts, manage expectations, and provide updates to senior leadership.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position located in Thuwal, Makkah, within the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The role operates within a dynamic research and academic environment, supporting cutting-edge scientific endeavors.