Software Engineer III - IV (5016)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Position Description:
Position Summary
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), which includes the Green Bank Observatory (GBO), is a diverse and exciting research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore our cosmic origins.
The GBO software team designs, implements, and maintains the software used to operate the GBT and as well as other GBO site telescopes and systems. This includes the software for automatically selecting what to observe (Scheduling software), software that decomposes high-level parameters into the commands sent to the telescopes (Monitor and Control software) and software that collects the data and processes it (data processing software). This requires close interaction with a diverse range of people within GBO and across the other NRAO sites. The software team frequently diagnoses and corrects difficult and subtle problems that can affect telescope operations and science data quality.
NRAO is seeking an experienced Software Engineer (III-IV) to join the GBO software team. A successful candidate would ideally be based in Green Bank, WV, but may choose to work at any of our facilities in Charlottesville VA, Socorro NM, or Albuquerque NM. Fully-remote work arrangements are possible for highly qualified candidates.
The GBO software team is small team that values curiosity, diligence, and professional communication. There is potential to grow into leadership of significant software infrastructure upgrades, and to design, prototype, and install new software technologies. We operate in an environment of continuous upgrades to GBO, NRAO, and to our teams skills.
What You Will be Doing
The successful applicant will work alongside our software engineers and collaborate with scientists, digital engineers, and operations staff both within GBO and across NRAO. As a team member, you will be involved in every aspect of the design and development process from high level architecture to implementation, testing, deployment, and support. A key emphasis for this position will be the integration of hardware and software for GBT mechanical infrastructure and controls, with an emphasis on C++.
Communication is key when designing complex systems.Successful applicants will participate in both face-to-face and virtual discussions, and in meetings where design decisions will be made. Close collaboration will be essential as the team implements each subsystem, component, and interface.We use Jira to organize our tasks, Confluence for offline discussions, and Slack and Zoom for collaboration. A new team member will utilize all these tools and more to effectively engage with your colleagues.
The position will require operational support responsibilities to ensure that use of the GBT for scientific observations is efficiently maintained. However, the position will also require research and use of new software technologies as new projects and instruments evolve. Testing is also an integral part of the development process, and it is expected that a successful applicant will write and maintain software for automated testing.
Effective documentation is also critical to this role. Creating clear, detailed text and diagrams describing both the functionality and decisions informing design and implementation of software is critical to the long-term success of our team.
Responsibilities
Successful applicants will:
Manage and contribute C++ code to control and support the GBT mechanical interfaces.
Gather requirements by working with engineers and scientists at multiple locations.
Proactively diagnose and troubleshoot software problems reported by on-site testing and integration.
Use continuous integration to automate builds and testing.
Participate in GBO/NRAO software meetings.
Contribute in-depth technical analysis on software implementation and maintenance issues.
Communicate effectively with the GBO software team and staff at all NRAO sites.
Take on additional development and management roles over time.
Work Environment
Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Possibility of occasional travel. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Who You Are:
You have a bachelors in computer science, engineering, scientific or related field.
You have at least three years of experience in software development. In addition:
- Understanding of object-oriented design and development
- Experience with Linux or Unix operating systems
- Experience developing software using C++
- Experience developing and supporting hardware-software integration
- Experience with multithreaded, concurrent software
- Experience with version control software, such as git
- Experience with testing methodologies
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills
Other topics of interest for our work include:
- Experience researching, planning and coordinating detailed software phases of a major technology project
- Experience with real-time Linux kernels
- Experience debugging and profiling software systems
- Experience using Python
- Experience in a distributed team working with complex applications
- Familiarity with developing for embedded systems
- Familiarity with basic astronomical principles
Total Rewards:
The NRAO offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees overall well-being and career growth.
Compensation
The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.
Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.
Benefits
AUIs benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUIs retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participants base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.
Application Instructions:
Select the Apply button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position. We would appreciate hearing your motivation for working on ALMA in your cover letter.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to
The NRAO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
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