Software Engineer III

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

At NRAO, we are recruiting an experienced Software Engineer to join the Online (ONL) group. The Online group develops and maintains the telescope operations software that turns an astronomer's observing plan into telescope observations, directing the telescope through its observing sequence and producing some of the intermediate data products that go to the archive and to scientists and array operators. You will help support the VLA and VLBA today and contribute to the design and implementation of the online systems for the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).

This position can be based in Socorro, NM, Albuquerque, NM, Charlottesville, VA or Green Bank, WV. For well qualified candidates, a remote work arrangement may be considered.

What You Will be Doing:

The primary focus of this position will be designing, developing, and maintaining the online software that carries out scientific observations. You will work with senior software engineers, scientific staff, and operations staff to understand how astronomers want to observe, refine requirements, and deliver reliable software. Activities may include (but are not limited to):

• Developing and maintaining software that sequences and executes observations, including observing modes, calibration strategies, and scheduling logic
• Working with astronomers and operations staff to translate scientific requirements into software designs, and validating the results against scientific needs
• Working with the Monitor & Control group on the interfaces between observation execution and hardware control
• Supporting data acquisition and the flow of data and metadata to downstream processing and the archive
• Prototyping and evaluating architectures and technologies for the ngVLA online systems
• Supporting operations, including diagnosing problems that arise during observing

Additional duties include the maintenance and necessary upgrades of existing software to support operations, and the development of new capabilities to meet the demands of new observing modes and instrumentation. No prior experience in radio astronomy is required.

Work Environment

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.

Who You Are:

Education

• A Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, scientific or related field; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.
• While not required, you may have an advanced degree in a related field.

Experience

• 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.

Skills and Competencies

• Understanding of radio astronomy or radio interferometry concepts (for example observing modes, calibration, coordinate systems and timing) is strongly preferred; candidates with strong software skills and a desire to learn the science will also be considered.
• Experience with Python and with at least one object-oriented language; Java or C++ are desirable.
• Experience designing and building distributed or event-driven software, including messaging between subsystems.
• Experience with scientific data handling, including data and metadata models and file formats; familiarity with scientific Python tools and astronomical software is desirable.
• Experience with version control software, testing methodologies, and CI/CD.
• Experience with software engineering principles, working within an Agile framework, and experience in the complete product lifecycle are preferred.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders, including scientists, engineers, and operations staff.
• Willingness and enthusiasm for learning new technologies and programming languages.

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary/hourly rate of this position is between $79,000-$121,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• 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.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

We reserve the right to close this posting prior to the ABOVE listed expiration date based on the volume and/or quality of the applicant pool.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to View email address on aiapply.co