Senior Software Engineer

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy•Maui, HI

16d•$125,000 - $167,000•Onsite

About The Position

The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO), is the world’s largest and most advanced solar telescope, designed to help answer fundamental questions about our Sun and its complex magnetic fields. DKIST, which completed construction and began operations in November 2021 on the summit of Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii is a major program within the NSO. The NSO, an NSF national research and development center dedicated to solar science, is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). AURA, a consortium of 49 U.S. institutions and 3 international affiliates, operates world-class astronomical observatories. Its role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that drive innovative astronomical research. We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on development for our High-Level Software (HLS) systems supporting advanced telescope and instrumentation platforms. This role will solve complex technical challenges, guide engineers and partners, and contribute directly to system design, development, and operations at the DKIST facility. You will play a key role in delivering robust, scalable software systems that support scientific discovery, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams across engineering and operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
10+ years of software development experience, including:
5+ years with Java (including Swing)
Experience building multi-threaded, distributed systems
At least 1 year of Python
Experience with Linux-based development environments
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work from high-level objectives
Experience with databases (PostgreSQL or similar)
Familiarity with Agile development practices
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Applicants must be eligible to access export-controlled information as defined by U.S. law.

Nice To Haves

Experience in scientific, engineering, or large-scale technical environments
Knowledge of distributed control systems or observatory/telescope systems
Experience with middleware frameworks (e.g., EPICS, TANGO, DDS, ICE)
Experience with high-throughput data systems (GB/s scale)
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP)
Experience with container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
Familiarity with motion control systems (e.g., Beckhoff, Omron, Delta Tau)
Experience managing vendors or technical contractors

Responsibilities

Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain high-level software systems for telescope and instrument applications
Lead complex engineering efforts and provide technical direction to team members and collaborators
Architect and implement scalable, multi-threaded, distributed systems
Support system integration across observatory platforms
Partner with engineering teams, operations staff, subcontractors, and stakeholders to deliver solutions
Plan and execute work aligned with technical, schedule, and budget requirements
Identify and resolve complex problems with minimal direction
Recommend and implement improvements to systems and processes
Maintain comprehensive documentation (design specs, APIs, test plans, user guides)
Ensure high-quality software delivery through testing and best practices
Support CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
Provide software support for summit and science operations as needed
Participate in system upgrades and new initiatives
Adhere to safety standards and organizational policies
Ensure compliance with government award requirements (if applicable)
Promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment