HLS Manager

AURA • Boulder, CO

5d • $173,000 - $200,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The High-Level Software (HLS)/Control Systems (CS) Lead is critical to the Observatory’s ability to operate safely, reliably, and as an integrated scientific system. By serving as the technical authority and architect for the Observatory Control System and Global Interlock System, this role ensures that complex hardware, software, and operational elements function together as a coherent whole. Strong architectural leadership at this level reduces technical risk, enables scalability across sites, and protects long-term scientific capability. This role provides the continuity and technical governance needed to translate scientific and operational requirements into robust, maintainable control system solutions. Through disciplined requirements management, design standards, and cross-team coordination, the HLS/CS Lead safeguards system performance, safety, and schedule while enabling efficient collaboration among internal teams and external partners. Without this leadership, the Observatory would face increased integration risk, higher lifecycle costs, and reduced operational resilience. The ngGONG project is currently funded for a three-year design phase, with the potential for additional funding contingent upon selection to advance into construction. This position is based in Boulder, Colorado, on the University of Colorado campus.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Approximately 8+ years of experience in software architecture, control systems, or large distributed systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or serving as a system architect.
• Experience developing requirements, ICDs, APIs, specifications, and complex design documentation.
• Proven experience managing budgets, schedules, and risk in large technical projects.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering and scientific teams.
• Knowledge of reliability, safety, and cybersecurity principles in mission-critical control systems.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Experience with observatory systems, large scientific facilities, or high-reliability industrial control systems.
• Experience with simulations, digital twins, or automated test frameworks.
• Experience managing vendors and technical contractors.
• Experience integrating control systems across multiple sites or facilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the software manager and system architect for the Observatory Control System (OCS) and all related software subsystems.
• Serve as software manager for the ngGONG Data Management System and data processing software, including the interface to the NSO Data Center.
• Serve as the technical lead and system architect for the Global Interlock System (GIS).
• Act as Control Account Manager (CAM) for HLS/CS, overseeing budgets, schedules, and risk management.
• Participate in project reviews, design baselines, and configuration-controlled documentation processes.
• Provide regular reporting to the Project Manager and participate in governance and review activities.
• Lead hiring, mentoring, and day-to-day technical oversight of HLS/CS programmers, staff, and contractors.
• Establish technology choices, trade studies, design standards, and integration strategies across multiple observatory sites.
• Engage with observatory operations, user communities, and external stakeholders on system concepts and interfaces.
• Coordinate with Systems Engineering, Science, and subsystem leads to ensure unified, end-to-end architecture.
• Define, decompose, and maintain traceability of HLS/CS design requirements and interfaces.
• Produce and maintain formal specifications, ICDs, API definitions, and design documents.
• Lead detailed design of OCS subsystems, including communication patterns, API architecture, and data flows.
• Manage detailed design of the data collection, storage, and processing.
• Define and implement strategies for simulations, test harnesses, and digital twins used for verification.
• Ensure reliability, safety, and cybersecurity considerations are incorporated into designs.
• Provide technical oversight of vendors and subcontractors delivering HLS/CS or safety-related software/hardware.
• Develop plans and cost estimates for future HLS/CS design completion efforts.
• Develop plans and cost estimates for future HLS/CS construction, deployment, or implementation activities.

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.

What This Job Offers

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