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Position Description:Position SummaryThe 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 a full-time Software Engineering manager, who will directly supervise software staff. The Online Group Lead supervises a team of software engineers, while providing planning and technical leadership for software products and shared software infrastructure that support online operating systems for the VLA, VLBA, and GBT--notably data acquisition, dynamic telescope scheduling, and observation preparation. The data acquisition process includes preparing the antenna arrays for scientific observations and dynamically selecting and executing the most suitable scheduling blocks based on the current array configuration and weather conditions. Observation Preparation Tools support calls for proposals for use of the NRAO telescopes. The Online software group will develop and maintain software capabilities and infrastructure components that can be applied across multiple NRAO systems and new projects.
The Software Engineering Group Lead will supervise software engineering staff and guide short- and long-term planning, coordinate development activities, and help establish engineering practices that improve interoperability, reliability, maintainability, and operational effectiveness. The role includes leading work related to shared software models, system integration, and other software infrastructure needed to support more uniform scientific computing environments.
This position requires close collaboration with scientists, software engineers, systems engineers, operations staff, and project stakeholders to ensure that common software infrastructure is aligned with current operational needs and future observatory capabilities. The group will help identify opportunities to standardize reusable components, reduce duplication, improve system consistency, and support the evolution of NRAO software systems over time.
This position can be based at any of our NRAO locations, including Albuquerque, NM, Socorro, NM, Charlottesville, VA, or Green Bank, WV. For well-qualified candidates, a remote work arrangement may be considered.
What You Will be DoingAs the Online Software Engineer Group Lead, you will be responsible for the overall personnel and technical management of software teams responsible for 1) data acquisition software systems, 2) dynamic telescope scheduling systems, 3) observation preparation tools, and 4) software system integration. You will also be responsible for regular reporting on management status and compliance with deadlines to senior management at NRAO and other participating organizations, and you may be asked to present that status to other stakeholders or advisory bodies in formal or informal reviews.
Personnel management involves building and maintaining a culture of trust, mutual collaboration, accountability, and excellence within the Online Software group and with its stakeholders. This includes:
- Seeking to increase the technical diversity and expertise of the group through robust recruiting and onboarding practices.
- Professional development for existing staff and succession planning.
- Ensuring a professional working environment and efficient work processes are maintained through direct line management of staff.
- Reviewing timesheets and periodic performance reviews, including interacting with the Human Resources and Business departments of the Observatory when necessary.
- Proactive compliance with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures in own work area is expected.
- With guidance from the Observatory Human Resource Department, coordinating and advising on personnel matters, ensuring compliance with applicable policies such as affirmative action.
- Advising staff on planning, technical, and operational matters, instructs and orienting new employees as necessary.
- Interpreting, implementing, developing and/or recommending changes to rules, regulations, policies and procedures set forth by the Observatory.
Programmatic management involves oversight of all aspects of the lifecycle of software for which the group is responsible, including:
- Gathering of requirements, planning development, assigning tasks, tracking progress, coordinating integration, testing, acceptance, and release while fulfilling high standards of quality.
- Managing stakeholder relationships, establishing priorities based on stakeholder needs, and maintaining effective communications.
- Ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products by the team that meets stakeholder expectations and schedules.
Technical management involves interacting directly with all group members:
- Developing the software infrastructure.
- Guiding the integration of software components.
- Maintaining a consistent view and quality of implementation across all of the software.
- Approving technical direction within the team.
- Interacting with a team of expert developers and improving on present practices whenever and wherever appropriate.
Work EnvironmentWork is typically performed in a research and development office environment. Occasional travel (domestic and international) may be required.
Who You Are:Education- A Bachelor's degree in computer science, physics, astronomy, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience- You must have at least three or more years of experience directly supervising a software team of three or more people. Additionally, you have at least seven years of experience in software development. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Preferred ExperienceRelevant experience with radio astronomy operating software and procedures is preferred. Knowledge of radio astronomy theories and practice would be valuable. Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership of complex data acquisition, scheduling, and operational support systems is preferred.
Skills and CompetenciesAs a Software Engineer Group Lead, you are expected to have demonstrated experience leading software development groups, preferably within the domain of astronomy. To be successful, you shall also have experience leading a distributed team of developers and be familiar with management, planning, and reporting aspects. You should be prepared to deal with already ongoing activities, while also having the ability to formulate a long-term direction. You should have experience balancing the maintenance, improvement, and enhancement of operational software. Planning skills and appropriate management of a team of expert developers and scientists are essential. Competency and experience dealing with the development process from requirements gathering, to development, testing and the formalism needed
- Strong interpersonal and group communications skills, oral and written.
- Familiarity with a wide variety of technologies, such as Java, C, C++, Python, testing frameworks, threading, parallelization.
- Ability to translate science requirements into software requirements.
- Understanding of software architecture and the implications it has for development.
- Must possess strong leadership and delegation capabilities. Ability to maintain and develop productive collaborations across organizations, anticipate and mitigate political and technical issues.
- Ability to establish firm, professional, and respectful interactions with staff and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated strong initiative in refining and clarifying requirements, defining and implementing QA processes, plan definition and monitoring, defining technical direction, and facilitating alignment.
- Ability to learn new areas and apply learning.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
- Familiarity with project management concepts and techniques.
Additional RequirementObservatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.
Total Rewards:CompensationThe starting salary of this position is between $123,000 and $153,000. 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to PM20
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