Principal Software Architect (Tucson)

NOIRLab is seeking a visionary Principal Software Architect to lead the architectural strategy and technical evolution of software systems that power world-class astronomical research, observatory operations, and scientific data management.

In this highly influential leadership role, you will define the technology roadmap for a diverse portfolio of scientific and operational platforms spanning cloud computing, distributed systems, high-performance computing (HPC), data-intensive applications, and AI-enabled technologies. You will drive modernization efforts that advance scientific discovery, improve engineering productivity, and ensure the reliability and scalability of mission-critical systems supporting some of the world's most advanced astronomical facilities.

Working closely with scientists, software engineers, data specialists, and operations teams, you will provide hands-on technical leadership, translate complex scientific requirements into innovative software solutions, and establish architectural standards that enable long-term sustainability and growth.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of scientific software and enable transformational discoveries through technology.

Essential Functions

Architectural Leadership & Technology Strategy

• Define and execute the architectural vision, technology roadmap, and long-term strategy for NOIRLab's scientific and operational software ecosystem.
• Establish enterprise-scale architecture principles, engineering standards, governance processes, and best practices.
• Lead architectural reviews and guide critical technology decisions across software, data, infrastructure, and operational domains.
• Partner with scientific and engineering stakeholders to translate complex requirements into scalable, secure, and resilient solutions.
• Identify and address architectural risks, technical debt, and modernization opportunities across the software portfolio.
• Champion modernization initiatives that improve system scalability, reliability, maintainability, and operational efficiency while supporting uninterrupted scientific operations.
• Architect and evolve cloud-native, containerized, distributed, and HPC-based platforms supporting observatory operations, scientific data pipelines, user services, and large-scale data processing systems.
• Design solutions capable of managing petabyte-scale datasets and computationally intensive scientific workloads.
• Develop reference architectures, prototypes, and technical frameworks that accelerate solution delivery and consistency across teams.
• Drive adoption of DevSecOps practices, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, observability, and site reliability engineering principles.
• Participate in architecture reviews, design reviews, code reviews, and implementation of critical software components.

Innovation & Technical Enablement

• Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), generative AI, and large language model (LLM) solutions, where they deliver measurable scientific, engineering, or operational value.
• Serve as a trusted technical mentor and thought leader across engineering teams.
• Foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and architectural consistency across science, software, data, and operations organizations.
• Help advance software engineering practices that support innovation, quality, and long-term sustainability.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with AURA property management requirements and organizational policies.
• Support compliance with applicable government award terms and conditions as defined in organizational award management systems.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• 15+ years of progressive software engineering experience, including experience as a Software Architect, Principal Engineer, Distinguished Engineer, or similar technical leadership role.
• Demonstrated success designing, delivering, and evolving large-scale distributed and data-intensive software systems.

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in software architecture, system design, API design, scalability, resilience, reliability, and distributed systems.
• Experience designing and operating cloud-native, containerized, microservices-based applications and platforms.
• Strong background in multiple programming languages and modern software development methodologies.
• Experience building and managing platforms that process and store petabyte-scale data.
• Experience with scientific computing, high-performance computing (HPC), distributed computing, or large-scale computational environments.
• Experience designing data pipelines, workflow orchestration systems, and data-intensive platforms.
• Knowledge of event-driven architectures, messaging systems, and asynchronous processing patterns.
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, monitoring, observability, and software delivery automation.
• Understanding of secure software development practices, including authentication, authorization, and data protection.
• Experience evaluating, integrating, or leveraging AI/ML, generative AI, or LLM-powered capabilities within software platforms or engineering workflows.

Leadership Skills

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across scientific, engineering, and operational organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction, mentor engineers, and lead through architectural expertise rather than direct authority.
• Proven hands-on leadership experience through architecture design, prototyping, technical guidance, and code reviews.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software for scientific, research, or data-intensive environments.
• Experience supporting scientific instrumentation, observatory operations, or large-scale scientific data pipelines.
• Experience contributing to or leading open-source software projects.
• Experience working in astronomy, astrophysics, earth sciences, national laboratories, research institutions, or other mission-driven scientific organizations.

This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and copiers. The work environment is generally quiet and may involve working in close proximity to others, depending on the needs of the specific function

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.

Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files, office tools, attendance in a meeting room, etc.

Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.

May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.

Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.

Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.

Constant need to distinguish, discern, and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.

• Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6,800 feet to 14,000 feet)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees.

Salary Range: $155,673 – $189,559 per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

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. Details on benefits can be found atBenefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.