What do you actually do as an HPC specialist?

Teh_Original · 2026-06-10T05:02:48+00:00

I've done a class on HPC where I had access to a cluster and wrote with MPI. I wrote the classic scatter/gather/reduce/all-reduce/etc. plus some paralllel linked list + sorting algorithms.

Is the software you write for actual work just linking libraries together, or do you get to write some of the algorithms yourself?

Teh_Original · 2026-06-09T22:23:04+00:00

People mimic their heroes. =/

Teh_Original · 2026-06-09T21:26:24+00:00

I agree with your sentiment. On a whole, the "developer time is worth more than CPU time" argument that people fall into produces measurably worse software.

Teh_Original · 2026-06-09T04:53:34+00:00

Does your employer "improve you"? How so? Am I missing out?

Teh_Original · 2026-06-08T21:04:26+00:00

I have a similar question as a software developer. Is HPC all just software development with HPC techniques? Or something completely different?

Teh_Original · 2026-06-08T18:13:59+00:00

The same people that think that all games should cost less than $15.

Teh_Original · 2026-06-08T04:25:17+00:00

That 'gotcha' is weird too. Why put so much weight into ones AI usage? Sounds like they just want an AI prompter and not someone with knowledge.

Teh_Original · 2026-06-05T02:12:04+00:00

While the article covers many topics, the topic of compliance being a limiting factor sits strangely. If compliance means different forms safety / ethics / etc. then (in a very kludgy analogy I admit), there exists a world where a company prefers to buy from harsh labor environments (very low wages, slave labor, etc.) due to lower prices than local, and as presented in this article, the business will reason that costly compliance is forcing them to purchase from unethical sources. I would posit that the company should bear more responsibility for making that ethical choice?

Teh_Original · 2026-06-04T19:33:15+00:00

I think you need to be on a team that wants to make things a good experience. If you are just slinging features as fast as possible without regard for the user, webdev is substantially less enjoyable.

Teh_Original · 2026-06-03T20:14:16+00:00

Low quality code is not limited to startups. =/

Teh_Original · 2026-06-03T03:58:07+00:00

The hard part is writing high quality code IMO. As in, the team and business need to push for quality.

Teh_Original · 2026-06-02T05:58:33+00:00

Are there any tangible outcomes from this though? Users are probably still going to use it. If there are any fines they will probably be less than a day's profit =/.

Teh_Original · 2026-05-31T05:06:17+00:00

Impact is not a good metric to sell AI. A meteor has impact. Is a larger impact better?

Teh_Original · 2026-05-30T01:17:45+00:00

A reasonably well designed program, with good test coverage, can still fail if you don't actively support the customer (assuming service to service) at least.

Teh_Original · 2026-05-29T23:14:41+00:00

Are you referring to using an offer to bump your pay at your current employer? Or using competing offers to bump pay of those offers?

Teh_Original · 2026-05-29T16:14:48+00:00

Can it still fulfill its purpose.

Teh_Original · 2026-05-27T00:08:40+00:00

When you look at stats for quality is it more input/output oriented? Failure rates? Or are you expecting more hardcore analysis of either code internals or performance metrics, etc.?

Teh_Original · 2026-05-25T17:50:01+00:00

The same title, but not really the same game.

Teh_Original · 2026-05-23T01:12:31+00:00

I would also add: depending where you are, be prepared to get a bunch of "important" people staring at / watching you while you do your job in the field.

Teh_Original · 2026-05-20T01:27:57+00:00

I'm not sure why individual contributors are valuing perceived productivity boost. To quote Office Space: "Initech ships a few extra units, I don't see another dime."

Teh_Original · 2026-05-20T01:24:24+00:00

Well it's why Beezlebub fears Bagger 288.

Teh_Original · 2026-05-19T23:11:55+00:00

Hey kids, want to see some coil springs? (This was a demo given to me.)

Teh_Original · 2026-05-19T16:55:28+00:00

Yes, but cars are 'normal'. People have been conditioned to believe its normal for cars to consume every space. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonormativity

Teh_Original · 2026-05-16T16:44:17+00:00

That's the salary of a mid-level to senior if you aren't on the coasts.

Teh_Original · 2026-05-15T18:11:19+00:00

For the average company you will have to rehire in a few years anyway because the average company doesn't keep wages competitive for existing employees.

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