What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Software Engineer position at AURA?
The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO), is the world’s largest and most advanced solar telescope, designed to help answer fundamental questions about our Sun and its complex magnetic fields. DKIST, which completed construction and began operations in November 2021 on the summit of Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii is a major program within the NSO. The NSO, an NSF national research and development center dedicated to solar science, is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). AURA, a consortium of 49 U.S. institutions and 3 international affiliates, operates world-class astronomical observatories. Its role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that drive innovative astronomical research.
We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on development for our High-Level Software (HLS) systems supporting advanced telescope and instrumentation platforms. This role will solve complex technical challenges, guide engineers and partners, and contribute directly to system design, development, and operations at the DKIST facility.
You will play a key role in delivering robust, scalable software systems that support scientific discovery, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams across engineering and operations.
Essential Functions
Technical Leadership & Development
- Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain high-level software systems for telescope and instrument applications
- Lead complex engineering efforts and provide technical direction to team members and collaborators
- Architect and implement scalable, multi-threaded, distributed systems
- Support system integration across observatory platforms
Collaboration & Execution
- Partner with engineering teams, operations staff, subcontractors, and stakeholders to deliver solutions
- Plan and execute work aligned with technical, schedule, and budget requirements
- Identify and resolve complex problems with minimal direction
- Recommend and implement improvements to systems and processes
Documentation & Quality
- Maintain comprehensive documentation (design specs, APIs, test plans, user guides)
- Ensure high-quality software delivery through testing and best practices
- Support CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
Operations Support
- Provide software support for summit and science operations as needed
- Participate in system upgrades and new initiatives
Compliance & Safety
- Adhere to safety standards and organizational policies
- Ensure compliance with government award requirements (if applicable)
- Promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- 10 years of software development experience, including:
- 5 years with Java (including Swing)
- Experience building multi-threaded, distributed systems
- At least 1 year of Python
- Experience with Linux-based development environments
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work from high-level objectives
- Experience with databases (PostgreSQL or similar)
- Familiarity with Agile development practices
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
This position involves access to technical data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Pursuant to these regulations, only U.S. persons (as defined in the regulations) are eligible for access to the controlled technical data. A "U.S. person" includes a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or person granted asylum or refugee status. Applicants must be eligible to access export-controlled information as defined by U.S. law.
Preferences
- Experience in scientific, engineering, or large-scale technical environments
- Knowledge of distributed control systems or observatory/telescope systems
- Experience with:
- Middleware frameworks (e.g., EPICS, TANGO, DDS, ICE)
- High-throughput data systems (GB/s scale)
- CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
- Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP)
- Container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Familiarity with motion control systems (e.g., Beckhoff, Omron, Delta Tau)
- Experience managing vendors or technical contractors
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Primarily office-based with extended computer use
- Occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs)
- Periodic work at high-elevation observatory site (~10,000 ft)
- Frequent communication and collaboration with team members
Salary Range: $125,000 - $167,000 per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.
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 at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources
Apply by July 5, 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.
Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here.
Salary : $125,000 - $167,000