Software Systems Operations Administrator

Software Systems Operations Administrator

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) is seeking a Software Systems Operations Administrator to support the Ocean Ecology Laboratory (OEL) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, a world leader in satellite-based remote sensing of the ocean. This role is critical to the daily operations, configuration, and stability of the Ocean Data Processing System (ODPS) and the OB.DAAC. Serving as the crucial link between complex Earth science datasets and the software and infrastructure that processes them, you will utilize complex SQL queries and shell scripting to troubleshoot and optimize massive, high-volume data workflows. Beyond daily operations, you will also support scientific software, tools, and services—integrating, monitoring, and developing specialized solutions for the distribution and management of current and future Earth science datasets. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who thrives at the intersection of data pipeline operations and software systems support, ensuring mission-critical systems run seamlessly across both on-premises servers and AWS Cloud environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor daily production and distribution activity in ODPS including diagnosing errors in log files and identifying missing or incorrect products.
• Collaborate with OEL science-team members to integrate complex standalone scientific processes within the ODPS framework to produce new processing workflows.
• Collaborate with the OEL web team to resolve issues related to ODPS.
• Collaborate with the OEL AWS-cloud team to coordinate and manage data flows from ODPS to designated AWS-based S3 buckets.
• Support a variety of processing tests for the OBPG science team within the ODPS framework without impacting near-real-time (NRT) processing activity.
• Perform administrative configuration in ODPS to support new processing and storage hardware, missions, data types, data-ingest workflows.
• Respond to user posts in the OB-DAAC forum.
• Collaborate with the OBPG system engineers to resolve hardware and network issues that affect ODPS, i.e. services unresponsive, disk errors, permission issues.
• Compose technical documentation for the ODPS software components and operational procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Computer Science, Physical Science, Engineering, Mathematics and 1 to 3 years of relevant experience. OR, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 4+ years of hands-on experience in software operations, relational database querying (SQL), and shell scripting to support complex workflows. (Note: We prioritize demonstrated ability and technical problem-solving over formal academic paths).
• Proficiency operating and developing in a Unix/Linux environment (including Bash scripting, SSH, and file system management).
• Strong proficiency in SQL for RDBMS (SAP ASE or similar highly preferred).
• Experience maintaining code using version control systems (e.g., Git, Subversion/SVN).

Desired Qualifications:

• AWS experience or AWS certification.
• Python proficiency.
• Scientific-based background or knowledge of handling large scientific datasets.
• Experience working in an Agile environment.
• Familiarity with web development concepts as they relate to application support.

EEO/AA Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus