Software Engineer Group Lead, Online

Associated Universities Inc. • Green Bank, WV

2d • $123,000 - $153,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), is a leading research and development organization in the study of the universe, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities. NRAO is seeking a full-time Software Engineering manager to supervise a team of software engineers. This role provides planning and technical leadership for software products and shared infrastructure supporting online operating systems for the VLA, VLBA, and GBT. Key areas include data acquisition, dynamic telescope scheduling, and observation preparation tools. The group will develop and maintain software capabilities and infrastructure applicable across multiple NRAO systems and new projects, focusing on improving interoperability, reliability, maintainability, and operational effectiveness. The position involves leading work on shared software models, system integration, and supporting uniform scientific computing environments. Collaboration with scientists, engineers, operations staff, and stakeholders is crucial to align software infrastructure with operational needs and future capabilities. The group will identify opportunities for standardizing reusable components, reducing duplication, and improving system consistency.

This position can be based at NRAO locations in Albuquerque, NM, Socorro, NM, Charlottesville, VA, or Green Bank, WV. Remote work may be considered for well-qualified candidates.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, physics, astronomy, or related field.
• At least three or more years of experience directly supervising a software team of three or more people.
• At least seven years of experience in software development.
• Demonstrated experience leading software development groups, preferably within the domain of astronomy.
• Experience leading a distributed team of developers.
• Familiarity with management, planning, and reporting aspects.
• Experience balancing the maintenance, improvement, and enhancement of operational software.
• Planning skills and appropriate management of a team of expert developers and scientists.
• Competency and experience dealing with the development process from requirements gathering, to development, testing and the formalism needed.
• Strong interpersonal and group communications skills, oral and written.
• Familiarity with a wide variety of technologies, such as Java, C, C++, Python, testing frameworks, threading, parallelization.
• Ability to translate science requirements into software requirements.
• Understanding of software architecture and its implications for development.
• Strong leadership and delegation capabilities.
• Ability to maintain and develop productive collaborations across organizations.
• Ability to anticipate and mitigate political and technical issues.
• Ability to establish firm, professional, and respectful interactions with staff and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strong initiative in refining and clarifying requirements, defining and implementing QA processes, plan definition and monitoring, defining technical direction, and facilitating alignment.
• Ability to learn new areas and apply learning.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with project management concepts and techniques.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Relevant experience with radio astronomy operating software and procedures is preferred.
• Knowledge of radio astronomy theories and practice would be valuable.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership of complex data acquisition, scheduling, and operational support systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Personnel and technical management of software teams responsible for data acquisition software systems, dynamic telescope scheduling systems, observation preparation tools, and software system integration.
• Regular reporting on management status and compliance with deadlines to senior management and stakeholders.
• Building and maintaining a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, and excellence within the Online Software group.
• Increasing the technical diversity and expertise of the group through recruiting and onboarding.
• Managing professional development for existing staff and succession planning.
• Ensuring a professional working environment and efficient work processes.
• Reviewing timesheets and conducting periodic performance reviews.
• Coordinating and advising on personnel matters, ensuring compliance with applicable policies.
• Advising staff on planning, technical, and operational matters, and orienting new employees.
• Interpreting, implementing, developing, and/or recommending changes to Observatory rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Oversight of the lifecycle of software for which the group is responsible, including requirements gathering, planning development, task assignment, progress tracking, integration coordination, testing, acceptance, and release.
• Managing stakeholder relationships, establishing priorities based on stakeholder needs, and maintaining effective communications.
• Ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products that meet stakeholder expectations and schedules.
• Developing software infrastructure.
• Guiding the integration of software components.
• Maintaining a consistent view and quality of implementation across all software.
• Approving technical direction within the team.
• Interacting with expert developers and improving present practices.
• Proactive compliance with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.

What This Job Offers

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