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Role Description

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is recruiting a Software Engineer to plan, design, and implement new systems for several upcoming projects, including the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) and Radar, which uses the GBT and VLBA telescopes.

The primary focus of this position will be designing and prototyping software for the ngVLA project. This will include:

• Working with senior software engineers and stakeholders to refine requirements
• Designing systems and components to meet those requirements
• Performing trade studies
• Building prototypes
• Producing documentation and reports summarizing findings

Immediate activities may include:

• Prototyping the domain model
• Exploring existing frameworks for instructions needed to carry out the observation
• Building prototype data repositories
• Benchmarking and testing data transport software
• Other prototyping activities needed by the project

This position will also participate in the full implementation during the construction phase and may include:

• Maintenance and necessary upgrades of existing software to support operations
• Development of new products to meet challenges posed by new observing paradigms

Qualifications

• 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, an advanced degree in a related field is a plus
• No previous related work experience is required; candidates with progressively more experience will be considered for a higher-level position

Requirements

• Ability to communicate and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders about ongoing software activities
• Ability to work with senior software engineers to produce a software architecture and design that meets stakeholder needs
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Familiarity with at least one object-oriented programming language; Java or C++ are desirable
• Experience with Python
• Willingness and enthusiasm for learning new programming languages when they are best suited to a particular domain
• 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

Benefits

• Comprehensive total rewards package, subject to eligibility requirements
• Competitive compensation and recognition for performance
• Paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave)
• Medical, dental and vision plans effective on the first day of employment
• Retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution
• Optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions