Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

At NRAO, we are recruiting an experienced Software Engineer to join the Correlator team within the Monitor & Control (M&C) group. The correlators combine the signals from the telescope array, and include the WIDAR correlator and the cluster-based DiFX software correlator. The correlator team is responsible for the software ecosystem around the correlators: gathering input data, correlator configuration and control, standardization of the output, as well as cluster management for the software correlator. The correlator team also contributes to the design of correlation systems for the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).

This position can be based in Socorro, NM, Albuquerque, NM, Charlottesville, VA or Green Bank, WV. For well qualified candidates, a remote work arrangement may be considered.

What You Will be Doing:

The primary focus of this position will be designing, developing, and maintaining software that interfaces with correlator hardware and the computing systems around it. You will work with senior software engineers, electronics engineers, and scientific staff to refine requirements, design and implement solutions, and document and support them in operations. Activities may include (but are not limited to):

• Developing and maintaining software that configures, controls, and monitors correlator hardware, including low-level interfaces to custom hardware and the network and data paths that connect it to other subsystems
• Supporting and improving cluster-based correlation (DiFX), including job management, data flow, and performance on compute clusters
• Diagnosing and resolving hardware and software problems with engineers and operations staff, including during observing
• Prototyping and evaluating interfaces and architectures for ngVLA correlator monitor and control
• Building tools for testing, simulation, and diagnostics, and producing documentation for users and maintainers

Additional duties include the maintenance and necessary upgrades of existing software to support operations, and the development of new capabilities to meet the demands of new observing modes and instrumentation. No prior experience in radio astronomy is required.

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. May occasionally work at high altitudes. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Who You Are:

Education

• A 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, you may have an advanced degree in a related field.

Experience

• Three or more years of experience in the development of software applications; candidates with progressively more experience will be considered for a higher-level position.

Skills and Competencies

• Candidates should bring depth in at least one of the following two areas, and interest in growing in the other:
  • Hardware-oriented: experience interfacing software with custom hardware or instrumentation (for example FPGA-based or other embedded systems), device and network protocols, and real-time or low-latency systems on Linux.
  • Cluster-oriented: experience with compute clusters and distributed or parallel processing (for example MPI), job schedulers, and high-throughput data handling.
• Proficiency in C, C++ and Python; Java is also useful.
• Strong Linux skills, including networking and system-level troubleshooting.
• Experience with monitor and control, real-time data acquisition, or SCADA / industrial control systems; familiarity with technologies such as OPC UA and MQTT is desirable.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders, including engineers and scientists.
• Willingness and enthusiasm for learning new technologies and programming languages.

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary/hourly rate of this position is between $79,000-$121,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

Select the "Apply" button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

We reserve the right to close this posting prior to the ABOVE listed expiration date based on the volume and/or quality of the applicant pool.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu. PM20