Network Engineer

Overview

We are looking for a Network Engineer seeking to apply their technical skills in a fast-paced and complex HPC environment. Working knowledge of server and network hardware and software and the desire to participate in projects at a large-scale data center is central to this role. This position will work with various engineering teams to resolve and diagnose network issues at scale. Adaptability and flexibility within the environment will be key to the candidate’s success. Penguin supports HPC environments where network performance is critical.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and support Ethernet and InfiniBand networks in a high-performance computing (HPC) and AI environment.
• Perform ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and lifecycle management of network equipment.
• Monitor network health, performance, and capacity to ensure reliable, low-latency data flow.
• Respond to and resolve network and server-related incidents in a timely manner.
• Run hardware diagnostics and coordinate replacement of failing network components.
• Support and maintain Linux-based HPC and AI platforms across a wide range of technologies.
• Collaborate with senior network engineers, software teams, and platform teams on network efficiency, reliability, and security.
• Assist with configuration, deployment, and operational support of InfiniBand and Ethernet fabrics.
• Develop and maintain operational documentation, including configuration examples, build guides, and best practices.
• Build and maintain automation and tooling to improve operational efficiency.
• Support on-site staff during hardware updates, card replacements, and infrastructure changes.
• Work within the client ticketing and IT service management system to track incidents and service requests.
• Participate in a weekly on-call rotation and respond to network and infrastructure issues after hours when required.
• Stay current with advancements in data center networking, HPC interconnects, and AI infrastructure technologies.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience supporting enterprise or data center-scale networks.
• Experience working in HPC, AI/ML, or performance-sensitive environments.
• Practical experience administering InfiniBand (Mellanox/NVIDIA) and Ethernet (Cumulus, SONiC) networks.
• Strong understanding of data center networking concepts, including servers, storage, and high-speed interconnects.
• Solid knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, including routing and switching fundamentals.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve network issues in complex, distributed environments.
• Strong documentation and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and provide operational support.
• Fluent Dutch (spoken and written) with working proficiency in English.
• Must reside in the Netherlands.

Preferred Skills

• Experience installing, monitoring, and maintaining large-scale data center networks.
• Hands-on experience supporting low-latency, high-bandwidth Ethernet and InfiniBand fabrics.
• Familiarity with performance tuning for distributed compute and GPU workloads.
• Experience with VXLAN/EVPN architectures and routing protocols such as BGP and OSPF.
• Exposure to communication libraries such as NCCL, UCX, and MPI.
• Familiarity with network management and monitoring tools such as UFM, OpenSM, NetQ, or similar.
• Experience with automation and scripting to support network operations.
• Knowledge of TopDesk IT Service Management Software is a plus.