Software Engineer II-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.

NRAO is seeking an experienced Software Engineer to join the Monitor and Control (M&C) Software Group. The M&C system forms the basis of the real-time observing software of our telescopes, including the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia, the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) spread across the US and its territories. This software is responsible for: interfacing with and configuring hardware, RF/IF electronics, and digital signal processing instruments (such as VEGAS for the GBT, WIDAR for VLA, and DiFX for the VLBA); coordinating a distributed system with hundreds or thousands of devices and applying commands with precise timing; and monitoring system health and displaying detailed information to our operations team. When an observation runs, this software is what makes it happen.

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

• This position will be a one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal subject to observatory needs, budget and mutual agreement.

What You Will be Doing

• Designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining components of the monitor and control software that configure and control the VLA, VLBA, and GBT in real time.
• Develop and extend the interface layer that communicates with hardware and electronics: IF-chain configurations, antenna motion commands, and digital signal processing configurations for instruments like VEGAS, WIDAR, and DiFX.
• Model the antennas and associated hardware and electronics in software — frequency setups, subband and baseband layouts, polarization products, timing and integration structure — and implement the rules, constraints, and legality checks that determine which configurations are achievable on each component.
• Work from interface control documents and hardware specifications, in close collaboration with the engineers and scientists who own the underlying subsystems, to ensure the commands, alerts, and data the M&C system emits are correct and complete.
• Diagnose and resolve issues that span the layers between a scientist's observing specification and the command stream sent to the telescope, often in collaboration with telescope operators, engineers, and scientific staff.
• Support the evolution of the monitor and control system to meet new observing paradigms and instrumentation, including work that informs and feeds into the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).
• Write and maintain critical documentation, including requirements, software design documents, interface control documents, and user documentation.
• Participate in code review, testing, and release processes for software that runs mission-critical, 24/7 scientific facilities.

Additional duties of Monitor and Control Software Group members include both the maintenance and necessary upgrades of existing software, as well as developing 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.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in a research and development office environment. Occasional travel (domestic and international) may be required.

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

• You have one or more years of experience developing software applications. Candidates with progressively more experience will be considered for a higher-level position ranking.
• 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, distributed systems, and operational support systems is preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Proficiency with C, C++, and Python; proficiency with Java is valuable
• A solid understanding of object-oriented design and development
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new software languages and unfamiliar domains
• Understanding of networking concepts and technologies: multicast, TCP, UDP, XML, JSON, REST
• Experience with version control software, testing methodologies, and CI/CD
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with scientists and hardware engineers
• Comfort working in a Linux (RHEL) environment

The following are highly desirable:

• Skill in domain modeling and in expressing complex validation rules and constraints clearly in code
• Experience with distributed systems, or with SCADA software for scientific, industrial, or other physical instruments
• A working comfort with mathematics and unit-bearing quantities — coordinate transformations, frequency and time calculations, and the care required to get them right
• Familiarity with signal processing concepts, digital IF chains, or correlator architectures
• Familiarity with basic astronomical principles, radio astronomy, or interferometry
• Experience collaborating in an Agile/Scrum environment, including sprint planning, estimating tasks, and breaking down requirements into user stories

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 of this position is between $87,000 and $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.

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. PM20