Job Description
HPC Container Platform Consultant (SC Cleared) - Principal Consultant (Contract)
An SC-cleared HPC specialist is required to support a high-profile engineering programme within a globally recognised UK manufacturer operating across aerospace, defence, and mission-critical power systems.
The focus is modernising how HPC and HPC/ML workloads are built, packaged, and run using MPI-optimised container approaches - with pragmatic, implementable outcomes.
What you'll deliver:
* Rapid review of current HPC estate, workflows, and priority use cases (workshops + technical deep dives)
* Containerisation capability sessions focused on real HPC and HPC/ML workloads (not generic platform advice)
* Guidance on MPI-ready container images, build tooling, and repeatable operational patterns
* Scheduler/runtime alignment and deployment approach (batch, interactive, data science workflows)
* Clear recommendations and next steps; produce a short written report where required
* Core technology focus
* Slurm job scheduling
* MPI and performance-aware containerisation (HPC-first constraints)
* Apptainer / SIF images with OpenMPI (plus viable alternatives)
* Podman / Buildah tooling and secure build practices
Essential criteria (must have)
1. Active SC Clearance
2. Must meet programme...