Green Bank Observatory
Position Summary
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), which includes the Green Bank Observatory (GBO), is a diverse and exciting research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore our cosmic origins.
The GBO software team designs, implements, and maintains the software used to operate the GBT and as well as other GBO site telescopes and systems. This includes the software for automatically selecting what to observe (Scheduling software), software that decomposes high-level parameters into the commands sent to the telescopes (Monitor and Control software) and software that collects the data and processes it (data processing software). This requires close interaction with a diverse range of people within GBO and across the other NRAO sites. The software team frequently diagnoses and corrects difficult and subtle problems that can affect telescope operations and science data quality.
NRAO is seeking Software Engineer to join the GBO software team. A successful candidate would ideally be based in Green Bank, WV, but may choose to work at any of our facilities in Charlottesville VA, Socorro NM, or Albuquerque NM. Fully remote work arrangements are possible for highly qualified candidates.
The GBO software team is small team that values curiosity, diligence, and professional communication. There is potential to grow into leadership of significant software infrastructure upgrades, and to design, prototype, and install new software technologies. We operate in an environment of continuous upgrades to GBO, NRAO, and to our team’s skills.
What You Will be Doing:
The primary focus of this position will be development and support of software to help scientists work with radio astronomy observations more easily, thereby expanding the impact of our data. You will have the opportunity to apply your skills and technical knowledge to developing more modern and streamlined user experiences.
Additional duties of the GBO software team members include both the maintenance and necessary upgrades of the existing software, as well as developing new products to meet the challenges posed by the new observing paradigms necessary for the Observatory to remain at the cutting edge of science and technology.
Work Environment:
The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Who You Are:
Competency Summary
The ability to design, develop, modify, and support complex user-facing systems, interfacing with other systems and databases.
The NRAO offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.
Compensation:
The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.
Factors which may affect starting pay may include education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. For open rank positions, the starting salary/hourly rates for each level is between:
Benefits:
NRAO’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. NRAO provides excellent 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 are effective on the first day of employment. NRAO’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.