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Location

Pasadena, CA | United States

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Job description

Observatory Operations Software Engineer

Caltech

Job Category: Fulltime Term
Exempt Overtime Eligible: Overtime Eligible
Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Space Radiation Laboratory (SRL) at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is soliciting applications for an Observatory Operations Software Engineer to work on the design and upgrade of the operations software system for the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission ( NuSTAR is a NASA small explorer astrophysics space telescope, launched in 2012 into low Earth orbit, that is providing the astronomical community with a unique capability to investigate the high energy X-ray Universe.

You will be based in the NuSTAR Science Operations Center (SOC) located on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA. The SOC is responsible for the efficient planning and safe use of telescope time to perform observations of astronomical sources of X-rays, often in coordination with other space- and ground-based observatories. The majority of these observations performed over the past decade have been planned weeks in advance. However, NuSTAR is receiving an increasing number of scientific investigations that require a short turnaround in observatory planning (targets of opportunity), which necessitates a redesign and upgrade to the mission planning software system. We are looking for a new team member to help design and develop a more flexible and efficient scheduling and operations system for NuSTAR.

Astronomy/astrophysics experience not required; We look for a smart, motivated, collaborative software engineer who loves solving problems and wants to make an impact on an inspiring mission. The successful candidate will have full ownership of challenging problems, working with a team of enthusiastic and highly skilled scientists and engineers supporting NASA astrophysics space missions.

Essential Job Duties

As the NuSTAR Operations Software Engineer, the successful candidate will report to the SOC Manager at Caltech and the NASA NuSTAR Project Manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and duties will include:

• Working with the SOC Manager and operations team to design and test software modules to streamline the observation planning process.
• Transitioning the group-developed code base written in multiple languages to a robust software framework.
• Developing efficient, reusable, and scalable code, and applying best industry practices for code health and documentation.
• Providing automation of routine tasks and clear presentation of operations metrics for the upgraded software system
• Performing unit testing, integration testing, and system-level testing of software components, identifying and resolving defects and issues.
• Documenting the design and use of software modules within the mission planning system and the interfaces with the Mission Operations Center (located at the Space Sciences Laboratory at UC-Berkeley) and the data archive (located at GSFC).
• Participating in internal and external design and code walkthroughs and reviews.
• As the NuSTAR Observatory Operations Software Engineer, the successful candidate will develop the core software architecture for the NuSTAR scheduling planning system in their first 6 months. In the first year, the successful candidate will implement that software architecture into NuSTAR's science operations and monitor performance improvements.
• As a member of the NuSTAR team, the successful candidate will be expected to actively participate in the activities at SRL, presenting development work at group meetings and at conferences where appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 1 year of experience (internships, full-time roles) developing software in a shared codebase with other developers, including use of data structures, algorithms, and software system design.
• Experience developing applications in a modern, object-oriented coding language (Python, C++, C#).
• Good written and interpersonal communication skills, with an emphasis on the ability to share ideas in a collaborative setting.
• The ability to write and maintain documents that describe the software design, usage, and interfaces, including tracking test results and validation.

Preferred Qualifications

Beyond these basic qualifications, there are a set of skills and experiences which will add to the successful candidate's ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities within the operations team. The following might give the successful candidate a head start here, but even if these do not describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you:

• Familiarity with software configuration management principles and tools (e.g., git/GitHub, SVN).
• Familiarity with team communications using systems like Zoom, WebEx, Slack.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems.
• Experience debugging and troubleshooting technical problems involving computer memory or timing considerations.
• The ideal candidate will have some experience developing and maintaining code and integration of software components into fully functional software systems, including documentation.
• Knowledge of database systems and SQL, and experience with data management and processing in distributed systems.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for 3 references

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link:

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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About California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, where extraordinary faculty and students seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform our future.

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