Data Systems Architect

AURA • Boulder, CO

20h • $130,000 - $176,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Data Systems Architect plays a critical role in ensuring that Next-Generation Ground-based Solar Observing Network's (ngGONG) scientific mission can be fully realized through a robust, scalable, and well-integrated data management architecture. As the lead data management systems architect for the ngGONG design project, this role translates high-level scientific and operational requirements into a coherent end-to-end Data Management System that enables reliable data capture, processing, archiving, and distribution across all ngGONG instruments. This position supports the National Solar Observatory’s Next-Generation Ground-Based Solar Observing Network (ngGONG), a major international initiative currently in the design phase. ngGONG will modernize NSO’s global network of solar observatories, enabling continuous, high-quality observations that advance solar physics research and improve our understanding of space weather. By leading the definition and design of the ngGONG Data Management System, the Data Systems Architect ensures that data flows—from acquisition at observatory sites through calibration, quality control, long-term preservation, and user access—are technically sound, interoperable, and aligned with program requirements, schedules, and cost constraints. This role serves as a key integrator across science leadership, instrument and telescope teams, software engineers, system architects, and external partners, helping align diverse technical inputs into a unified system design. Close coordination with the NSO/DKIST Data Center further ensures that ngGONG’s data systems leverage existing capabilities, avoid unnecessary duplication, and support long-term operational efficiency. Focused on design readiness rather than day-to-day operations, the Data Systems Architect's work directly shapes the feasibility, sustainability, and scientific impact of the ngGONG observatory for decades to come. This position supports the currently funded design phase of ngGONG and is expected to continue into subsequent construction phases pending standard NSF project approvals This position is based in Boulder, Colorado, on the University of Colorado campus.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, computer science, data science, astronomy, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience; formal project management training or certification is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver outcomes for medium‑ to large‑scale software or data‑intensive infrastructure projects (e.g., data centers, data pipelines, archives, or cyber-infrastructure).
• Experience working within systems‑engineering‑based project environments, including requirements flow‑down, interface control, and participation in formal design reviews.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in one or more critical data‑system technology areas, such as data archiving, science data pipelines, distributed or high‑performance computing, networking, or large‑scale storage systems and associated data models/metadata practices.
• Ability to translate scientific and operational requirements into technical specifications and design documentation for data systems and infrastructure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across technical and non‑technical audiences, including scientists, engineers, managers, and external partners.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, balancing competing priorities and constraints.
• Experience developing schedules, cost estimates, and risk assessments for technical projects, and tracking progress against those plans.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing data system or cyber-infrastructure projects in a research or scientific environment.
• Experience with data management systems for astronomy or other data‑intensive sciences, including experience with high‑volume, time‑series, or image data.
• Familiarity with cloud‑based or hybrid computing architectures (e.g., object storage, containerized services, or data‑lake/archival patterns) and how they apply to scientific data systems.
• Experience working with external vendors and industry partners in a collaborative design environment, including contract/SOW development and vendor technical oversight.
• Familiarity with quality management frameworks such as ISO 9000 or similar standards, and with data management best practices (e.g., FAIR principles, data governance frameworks) in scientific environments.
• Experience supporting projects through conceptual, preliminary, and final design reviews, including preparation and presentation of data‑system content.
• Membership in, or eligibility for membership in, recognized national or international project management institutes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition and management of ngGONG Data Management System requirements derived from scientific, operational, and user needs, with emphasis on end‑to‑end data flow from instrument to end user.
• Serve as the accountable lead for the scientific data lifecycle for ngGONG—from instrument data capture and on‑site buffering through transfer, pipeline processing, archival, and distribution to external users—ensuring that performance, reliability, and usability requirements are met.
• Manage the design of data archiving systems, including long‑term preservation, access, distribution, data lifecycle management concepts, and metadata/provenance standards.
• Oversee design planning for science data reduction pipeline infrastructure, including calibration and quality‑control workflows, processing stages, compute requirements, and scalability considerations.
• Interface with the Data Center leadership to define computing platform architectures, including storage, compute, virtualization, and potential cloud or hybrid strategies appropriate for ngGONG data volumes and performance needs.
• Coordinate network architecture design to support timely, reliable data transfer between ngGONG sites, partner institutions, and the external user community, accounting for bandwidth, latency, and resiliency requirements.
• Provide leadership for the design of user‑facing software concepts, tools, and interfaces (e.g., web portals, APIs, catalog services) that support data discovery, access, and science use cases.
• Develop system architecture documents, requirements specifications, interface definitions, data models, and design documentation for the ngGONG Data Management System and associated data systems.
• Generate statements of work and technical specifications to support external design activities and vendor engagements related to data systems, networking, and compute/storage infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, cost estimates, and risk assessments for data system design activities, and provide inputs to major project design reviews.
• Coordinate closely with ngGONG science teams, instrument and telescope teams, software engineers, systems engineers, the NSO Data Center, operations staff, and external collaborators to ensure alignment with overall project architecture and long‑term operational concepts.
• Ensure DMS designs consider integration with existing or legacy data systems where appropriate, including strategies for data migration, interoperability, and coexistence, while remaining focused on ngGONG requirements.
• Participate in formal project design reviews and provide clear recommendations to ngGONG project leadership on data system architectures, design trades, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Support ngGONG leadership in broader data management planning and strategy development, including policies for data access, retention, curation, and compliance with relevant agency or community guidelines.

Benefits

• AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment.
• Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level