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HPC Systems Architect

IMC Trading · Chicago, IL · Systems & Infrastructure

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a hardware or software platform you evaluated and chose. How did you make the call?

What they are checking: Whether they run fair, data-driven evaluations instead of following vendor claims.

Tell me about a time you had to retire or replace an existing system. How did you manage the transition?

What they are checking: Experience managing the full lifecycle of infrastructure without disrupting users.

What would you do

Researchers complain that jobs are waiting too long in the queue. How do you investigate?

What they are checking: Whether they look at scheduler policy, utilization and demand before buying more hardware.

How would you set architectural standards that teams in different regions actually follow?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead through influence and partnership with global teams.

Leadership asks whether to build more on-prem capacity or use cloud for bursts. How do you frame the decision?

What they are checking: Whether they connect technical architecture to cost and long-term business goals.

About the work

How would you architect a GPU cluster for large machine learning training workloads from the ground up?

What they are checking: Real experience designing HPC for ML, including compute, interconnect, storage and scheduling.

How do you choose between InfiniBand and Ethernet-based fabrics for a new cluster?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh performance, cost and operational complexity for the interconnect.

What monitoring would you put in place to catch performance bottlenecks before users notice?

What they are checking: Their approach to proactive monitoring and analytics across the HPC ecosystem.

How do you design storage so it doesn't become the bottleneck for training jobs?

What they are checking: Understanding of parallel file systems, caching and data loading for ML workloads.

How do you plan for power and cooling when GPU density keeps rising?

What they are checking: Practical awareness of data center limits that shape modern HPC designs.

What scheduler have you run at scale, and what did you have to change to make it fair?

What they are checking: Hands-on experience with tools like Slurm or Kubernetes for shared compute.

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The full job description

As published by IMC Trading.

At IMC, we thrive on pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in the competitive trading landscape. We are seeking an exceptional HPC Systems Architect who will lead the charge in designing, implementing, and optimizing our global HPC infrastructure, driving innovation, and delivering scalable solutions that empower our advanced computational needs. Your Core Responsibilities: • Architect and oversee the implementation of advanced HPC systems tailored to high-impact applications, including machine learning workloads • Integrate cutting-edge technologies to enhance computational power and capabilities • Evaluate and select best-in-class hardware and software solutions, optimizing our infrastructure for peak performance, scalability, efficiency, and reliability • Partner with global teams to establish and enforce architectural standards and best practices across HPC environments • Ensure seamless interoperability between different systems and teams, creating a cohesive, high-performance environment that aligns with IMC’s long-term business goals • Develop and deploy solutions to continuously optimize system performance and resource utilization across the HPC ecosystem • Implement sophisticated monitoring and analytics tools to proactively identify and resolve performance bottlenecks • Lead and manage the full lifecycle of HPC projects, from concept through implementation, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards • Oversee resource allocation, budgeting, and timeline management, driving the successful execution of critical projects • Develop policies for allocating compute time, storage, and networking resources to users based on priority, need, and fairness • Act as a trusted technical advisor to senior leadership, offering strategic insights on emerging HPC trends and their potential impact on the trading industry • Collaborate closely with quant researchers, software engineers, and traders to understand computational requirements and translate them into scalable, high-performance solutions • Partner with global teams to coordinate system design, resource allocation, and parallel project delivery, ensuring the consistent expansion of our global research environment • Evaluate success based on the HPC environment’s utilization and end-user satisfaction Your Skills and Experience: • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field • Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) in HPC architecture, system design, or a similar role within a large-scale compute environment • Deep expertise in some or all of the following areas: • HPC system design and optimization • Linux systems administration • Enterprise storage solutions (e.g., Vast, DDN, Isilon) • HPC management tools (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker, Slurm) • High-performance processors and compute offload devices (e.g., GPUs) • Low-latency network architecture, including high-speed interconnects (e.g., InfiniBand, Ethernet) • Datacenter design and optimization • AI/ML frameworks and their integration into HPC systems • Programming languages such as Python, Go, C++, or similar • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences • Proven ability to influence decision-making and align global teams to achieve a unified vision The Base Salary range for the role is included below. Base salary is only one component of total compensation; all full-time, permanent positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and benefits, including paid leave and insurance. Please visit Benefits - US | IMC Trading for more comprehensive information. Salary Range $200,000 — $225,000 USD About Us IMC is a research-driven trading firm where quantitative modeling, machine learning, and engineering shape how modern markets are traded. A stabilizing force in markets since 1989, we provide liquidity across trading venues, delivering the best outcome in value and risk management to investors. Using our own technology and capital, we build proprietary systems and algorithms that operate across global markets. Our researchers, traders, and engineers work as a collective, combining rapid experimentation, advanced infrastructure, and real-time feedback to turn insight into execution and execution into advantage.  

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