What are the responsibilities and job description for the Oceanographic Data Systems Specialist position at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution?
Job Summary
Job Summary
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking an Oceanographic Data Systems Specialist. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for benefits.
Job Description
Essential Functions:
85%: Lead end-to-end design and delivery of data systems and cloud cybersecurity efforts to support scientific oceanographic research. Architect and operate AWS pipelines and Knowledge Graph solutions ensuring observability, reliability, and performance to enable statistical analysis of datasets specific to ocean sciences. Apply numerical methods, AI, and machine learning to large experimental datasets. Build storage and data-access layers that run on AWS S3 and S3-compatible object stores (MinIO, VAST). Lead migrations of large datasets to S3 and adapt applications to multiple database backends (RDBMS /NoSQL/Triple Stores).
10%: Enforce data governance, metadata, and modern SDLC standards such as ISO19115-2 NOAA Profile. Apply program management practices like Agile/Scrum to align scope, schedule, and stakeholders from planning through delivery. Support team collaboration and contribute to continuous improvement.
5%: Troubleshoot complex issues while implementing durable fixes.
Required Education & Experience
Master’s degree in computer science or a closely related field and five (5) years of experience in an occupation in software engineering
Wage: $107,058 – $131,049 per year. Hours: 40 hours per week.
Actual level placement and compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity and market conditions. In addition to base salary, eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package.
Place of Employment: 266 Woods Hole Road, MS#15, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Please send resume to Careers@WHOI.edu and reference job ID Job#15147W.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Additional Job Requirements
WHOI accepts applications on a rolling basis - applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure full consideration. While we will continue to review applications until the position is filled, and early applicants may have an advantage in the selection process.
EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Job Summary
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking an Oceanographic Data Systems Specialist. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for benefits.
Job Description
Essential Functions:
85%: Lead end-to-end design and delivery of data systems and cloud cybersecurity efforts to support scientific oceanographic research. Architect and operate AWS pipelines and Knowledge Graph solutions ensuring observability, reliability, and performance to enable statistical analysis of datasets specific to ocean sciences. Apply numerical methods, AI, and machine learning to large experimental datasets. Build storage and data-access layers that run on AWS S3 and S3-compatible object stores (MinIO, VAST). Lead migrations of large datasets to S3 and adapt applications to multiple database backends (RDBMS /NoSQL/Triple Stores).
10%: Enforce data governance, metadata, and modern SDLC standards such as ISO19115-2 NOAA Profile. Apply program management practices like Agile/Scrum to align scope, schedule, and stakeholders from planning through delivery. Support team collaboration and contribute to continuous improvement.
5%: Troubleshoot complex issues while implementing durable fixes.
Required Education & Experience
Master’s degree in computer science or a closely related field and five (5) years of experience in an occupation in software engineering
- Four (4) years of post-baccalaureate software engineering experience in an IS function within an oceanographic research organization.
- Four (4) years of scientific programming experience using Python, GoLang, and Typescript to extract metadata from a wide range of data formats (e.g. NetCDF, HDF5, Zarr, GeoTIFF, ODV) as well as images, text, and video at large scale.
- Building and operating cutting-edge, production-grade solutions for large-scale scientific computing and data management with high availability, security, and cost efficiency on AWS services, databases (RDBMS, NoSQL, and Columnar Arrow-based), Docker, and Linux.
- Application of modern SDLC best practices in a scientific research environment including requirements /design reviews; Git-based workflows; code reviews; automated testing (unit /integration/e2e); CI/CD; reproducible builds; infrastructure as code (e.g., CloudFormation /Terraform); observability (logging /metrics/tracing); and secure development (secrets management, least privilege).
- Demonstrated knowledge of GitHub, Jenkins, CircleCI, Pulumi, and Terraform.
Wage: $107,058 – $131,049 per year. Hours: 40 hours per week.
Actual level placement and compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity and market conditions. In addition to base salary, eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package.
Place of Employment: 266 Woods Hole Road, MS#15, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Please send resume to Careers@WHOI.edu and reference job ID Job#15147W.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Additional Job Requirements
WHOI accepts applications on a rolling basis - applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure full consideration. While we will continue to review applications until the position is filled, and early applicants may have an advantage in the selection process.
EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Salary : $107,058 - $131,049