Edward L. Bensman has been named the director of engineering and science computing at the University of Notre Dame.

In this newly created position, Bensman will serve as manager of a team supporting technology systems and services for the Colleges of Engineering and Science, outlining an operational strategy for the responsible design, development and maintenance of the technology systems in the multi-tiered environments within the colleges.

As computing and communications are becoming increasingly diverse and mobile with an expectation of rapid access, minimal interruptions to service and increased computing power are particularly important, according to Bensman, who says the key issue will be “to support the academic and research computing agendas of the Colleges of Engineering and Science — so that we are agile and able to adapt to changing environments and needs of faculty and students.”

In addition to his management responsibilities, Bensman will oversee the installation configuration, modification and maintenance of operating system software on desktop, bench top and cluster computing systems in the colleges to ensure optimum performance and data integrity. The establishment of policies on system use and services, as well as the development of a comprehensive library of all supporting documentation, also fall under his purview.

Bensman will act as a liaison with other University technology groups such as the Office of Information Technologies and the Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, where he previously served as a high-performance computing engineer.

Prior to joining the University, Bensman served as program manager at Raytheon Company, as assistant director of the Computer Systems Division at the Air Force Climatology Center, and as chief of the Applied Technology Division at the Air Force Weather Agency.

Bensman is a member of the American Meteorological Society, Air Weather Association, National Weather Association and serves on the executive committee of the Weather Coalition.

A graduate of Purdue University in atmospheric science, Bensman received his master’s degree in climatology and doctorate in physical meteorology from Florida State University.