AURA and the National Solar Observatory (NSO) are hiring for a Senior Software Engineer (SSwE) who will participate in the development and maintenance of the Operational Tools for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope. These web-based tools are used in concert with existing software and infrastructure that execute telescope operations and will be responsible for generating metadata critical to DKIST Operations functions. The Engineer will work with the Lead Engineer, Project Manager and Operations Scientist to implement the scientific goals of the project, in collaboration with various support staff. The Engineer will provide technical contributions within the software tools’ development lifecycle, as well as their deployment on cloud (AWS) resources. Finally, the SSwE will coordinate with members of the DKIST team(s) producing telescope operational software to leverage existing codebases and support appropriate interfaces between the software stacks.

Essential Functions:

• Implement software tools that meet project requirements through prioritized, incremental delivery.
• Implement Web-based user interfaces for community and administrative usage of the operational tools.
• Build and maintain REST interfaces to DKIST facility software and libraries.
• Implement and maintain queue (RabbitMQ) based messaging systems as interfaces to summit telescope software systems.
• Designs, develops, tests, deploys, debugs, integrates, and maintains software for telescope operations applications.
• Maintains and updates System documentation including interface control documents and Confluence based software designs.
• Works with other members of the DKIST software community to facilitate software integration at the observatory.
• Solves engineering problems where only the general objectives are stated.
• Monitor the system and report results of activities and resolve unusual/unintended situations.

Other Functions:

• Other duties as assigned.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science or equivalent education and experience
• At least 7 years’ experience in full stack software development, including Java, Python, React and SQL.
• Experience with a wide variety of technologies such as:
  • Lambda, S3, EC2, EBS, RDS, ECS, API Gateway, Secrets Manager, VPC, Route 53 and SNS
  • Terraform, cloud formation, SAM, AWS-cli and Bitbucket or Git
  • Flask, SQLAlchemy and Postgres, including PSQL
  • RabbitMQ and pika
  • Docker, Linux
  • React
• Demonstrable experience working with other software developers, database administrators, and operations engineers in product delivery.
• Willingness to learn new technologies and languages as needed.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and cooperate well with others.
• Experience with Agile software development.
• Commitment to stay abreast of current-market hardware and software.

Physical Demands:

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.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk; or
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, and ability to adjust.
• Must possess sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files and sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office.
• Must possess: 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.

Salary Range: $115,000-$140,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience. 

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance atemployment@aura-astronomy.org

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 47 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for theNational Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversitythroughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.

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 athttps://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/

Consistent with the actions of the Biden Administration, as of 12 May 2023, AURA will no longer require COVID-19 vaccination of its employees in the U.S. AURA employees in the U.S. may be subject to COVID-19 vaccination requirements from other entities, such as host institutions or partner affiliations.

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.