Software Engineer III (43)

Employer:       National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Position:          Software Engineer III (Req #)

Location:         800 Bradbury Drive SE, Ste 235 Albuquerque, NM 87106

Duties:             Engage in software engineering related to radio astronomy data reduction and analysis. Design, develop, and maintain the code base for radio interferometer data reduction and analysis for CASA or the Common Astronomy Software Applications package and its next-generation counterpart RADPS or the Radio Astronomy Data Processing System. Using knowledge and experience in astrophysics and radio interferometry techniques, perform all aspects of the software engineering lifecycle from requirements derivation through design, scientific development and validation, technical coordination of assigned projects, and integration into telescope operations.  Develop and deploy software to support antenna maintenance and commissioning activities at state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities, including algorithms for antenna surface holography, panel adjustments, antenna location refinement, antenna pointing corrections, and data calibration. Translate legacy Fortran software into C++/Python and other more recent framework. Work directly with project staff, stakeholders and scientists to develop specifications, assist with system design and contribute to the development of standards and domain-specific metrics of correctness. Assist in preparing costs and time analyses of projects and make recommendations for procedures and improvements. May telecommute for up to 40% of time within commuting distance of office location.

Requirements: Bachelor or foreign equivalent in computer science, computer engineering, physics, or related field plus four years of experience developing algorithms and scientific software in the domain of radio interferometry.  Experience must include: working knowledge of software technologies used to support scientific operations in radio astronomy, including proficiency in Fortran, Python, Git, basic Linux administration, the use of the NumPy, SciPy and AstroPy scientific software libraries, and OpenMP.  Experience must include a comprehensive understanding of telescope commissioning in the field of radio astronomy, as well as the scientific needs driving the instrument and software designs and specifications. Skill set does not need to be maintained over the full term of required experience.