Software Engineer III-IV (128)

Associated Universities Inc. • Charlottesville, VA

53d • Remote

About The Position

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious 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 famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) across North America, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. At NRAO, we are recruiting an experienced Software Engineer to plan, design, implement, and maintain critical science operations software for the VLA and VLBA. Additionally, the team supports highly technical projects in partnership with the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO). You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of tools critical to the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). This position ideally will be based either in Albuquerque, NM, or Socorro, NM but could also be based at our Charlottesville, VA or Green Bank, WV locations. For well qualified candidates, a remote work arrangement may be considered. The primary focus of this position will be designing and developing cutting edge software for the VLA, VLBA, and ngVLA as part of the New Mexico Systems group. This will include working with senior software engineers and stakeholders to refine requirements, designing systems and components to meet those requirements, performing trade studies, building prototypes, and producing documentation and reports summarizing your findings. Immediate activities may include (but are not limited to): Prototyping and evaluating messaging software for communication between the Monitor & Control subsystem (responsible for hardware control) and the Online Data Acquisition system (responsible for the science logic of the telescope observation). Evaluating and/or prototyping SCADA systems Prototyping interfaces between computing subsystems Development of a “digital twin” for testing purposes This position will be directly involved in the early implementation and testing of key software features needed to support commissioning for ngVLA, focusing on the Monitor & Control and Online Data Acquisition systems. The position will also participate in the full implementation during the construction phase. Additional duties of the New Mexico Systems members include: the maintenance and necessary upgrades of the existing software to support operations the development of new products to meet the challenges posed by the new observing paradigms necessary for the Observatory to remain at the cutting edge of science and technology. The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. May occasionally work at high altitudes. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, scientific or related field; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.
• three or more years of experience in the development of software applications; candidates with progressively more experience will be considered for a higher-level position.
• The ability to communicate and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders to converge on stakeholder needs and technical requirements, and to produce a software architecture and design that meets them.
• Experience with prototyping technologies and systems, performing technology trade studies, making design option down-selects, and documenting findings that include justification for technical decisions.
• Experience with real-time data acquisition/SCADA in astronomical or industrial control systems (ICS).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Familiarity with at least one object-oriented programming language; Java or C++ are desirable.
• Experience with Python.
• Willingness and enthusiasm for learning new programming languages when they are best suited to a particular domain.
• Experience with version control software, testing methodologies, and CI/CD.
• Observatory employees 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 in a related field.
• Familiarity with modern ICS technologies such as OPC UA and MQTT are desirable.
• Experience with software engineering principles, working within an Agile framework, and experience in the complete product lifecycle are preferred.

Responsibilities

• plan, design, implement, and maintain critical science operations software for the VLA and VLBA
• refine requirements
• designing systems and components to meet those requirements
• performing trade studies
• building prototypes
• producing documentation and reports summarizing your findings
• maintenance and necessary upgrades of the existing software to support operations
• the development of new products to meet the challenges posed by the new observing paradigms necessary for the Observatory to remain at the cutting edge of science and technology

Benefits

• 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.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees