Software Engineer - Real-Time Geospatial Mapping for Planetary Exploration

KBR•Moffett Field, CA

1d•$145,000 - $230,900

About The Position

Join NASA Ames writing software to help explore the moon! Help us meet the emerging needs of Artemis, Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) and future Moon-to-Mars missions. Looking for a software engineer to assist with development of two coordinated work efforts: M2M CSDS - the Moon to Mars Collaborative Data System and WITME - Web-Based Integrated Terrain Model Estimation tool. These tools provide a reusable, science-centric collaboration platform that enables distributed science teams to collectively visualize, analyze, and interpret mission data in support of time-critical decision making. They will prototype capability for uncertainty-aware fusion of orbital and surface terrain data for real-time operational decision support. M2M CSDS and WITME both build on NASA Ames - developed collaborative data systems and science operations architectures matured through the Exploration Ground Data Systems (xGDS) research project and VIPER mission science operations. M2M CSDS development will require the applicant to work closely with an active CLPS science team to populate the proof-of-concept M2M CSDS with mission relevant data. Software development will include an interactive, shared planning/replanning and execution monitoring capability that builds on design concepts developed for the Ames-led xGDS in a mature mission-proven environment. The work effort will include the integration of FedRAMP and NASA approved AI tools (e.g. Google Gemini) to provide summarization and search capabilities on the data sets and annotations deployed in M2M CSDS. These capabilities are anticipated to provide substantial benefits for supporting real-time science and operations (e.g. rapid initial generation of shift handover highlights that can be further augmented and edited by science team members). WITME involves the development and application of statistically principled fusion methods to weight orbital and surface data by their uncertainties, and build unified 3D models with quantitative confidence estimates derived from these data. Specifically, the applicant will help develop effective user interfaces and displays to communicate confidence in terrain model data at different locations. This will enable mission teams to rapidly assimilate new terrain data, improving traverse planning and decision-making through a collaborative web-based interface.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Web Development: Expertise in JavaScript including at least one common JavaScript MVC framework (e.g., Vue, React, Bootstrap, or Angular)
UI/UX Proficiency: experience with user-facing application design and implementation. Familiar with modern standards and best practices in UI design and development (responsive design, ADA compliance).
Proficient in utilizing server-side services, APIs and database tools and understanding how they interface with complex JavaScript applications.
JavaScript Mapping/Rendering: An understanding of 2D geographic mapping libraries such as OpenLayers, CesiumJS, Three, Leaflet, Google Maps API, etc
Geographic Map Projections: Familiarity with using different map projections and coordinate systems.
Geographic Map Services: Familiarity with services that provide map layers such as Google or Bing Maps, MapBox or any WMS data provider/ DEMs.
3D Graphics: Experience with 3D graphics, particularly as used with terrain mapping (e.g. DEMs) and a practical understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts used in graphics

Nice To Haves

AI Tools: Experience integrating AI tools into a user facing application.
Robotics: Interest in and understanding the needs of working with robots. Direct experience is a plus.
Domain Knowledge: Experience with mobility systems (air, water, or ground) to understand their operational complexities.
User-Centered Design: Ability to gather feedback from end-users and iteratively improve tool design based on that input.
GDAL: Familiarity with GDAL and GeoTIFF files.
Server side development skills: Python, Flask/Bottle, Docker, REDIS, PostGIS/ Postgres

Responsibilities

Assist with development of two coordinated work efforts: M2M CSDS - the Moon to Mars Collaborative Data System and WITME - Web-Based Integrated Terrain Model Estimation tool.
Populate the proof-of-concept M2M CSDS with mission relevant data.
Develop an interactive, shared planning/replanning and execution monitoring capability.
Integrate FedRAMP and NASA approved AI tools (e.g. Google Gemini) to provide summarization and search capabilities.
Develop and apply statistically principled fusion methods to weight orbital and surface data by their uncertainties.
Build unified 3D models with quantitative confidence estimates derived from data.
Develop effective user interfaces and displays to communicate confidence in terrain model data at different locations.
Enable mission teams to rapidly assimilate new terrain data, improving traverse planning and decision-making through a collaborative web-based interface.