Programmer Analyst Position

NVI, Inc. is a small scientific consulting company established in 1992 with a focus on VLBI. Our staff have been involved in many of the advances of the VLBI technique over the last 40 years. Our clients include NASA, the United States Naval Observatory, and JPL, as well as a variety of foreign clients. If you enjoy working in a small team environment surrounded by smart, hard-working people, this position is for you.

NVI, Inc. is seeking a Programmer Analyst to develop and maintain software that supports the scientific and engineering work of our geodetic VLBI group at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. You will work in a small group of scientists and programmers, with researchers, technical staff, and project managers, from requirements through delivery and support.

The group’s work can best be summarized as improving the VLBI technique in all aspects, including modeling, scheduling, and data analysis, and your software will directly support it.

• Turn scientific and operational requirements into technical specifications.
• Design, build, test, and maintain software applications, databases, and data-processing tools.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and improve application performance.
• Write and maintain technical documentation and user guides.
• Follow testing, configuration management, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Support users and report status to project teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Three or more years of experience in software development, systems analysis, or database development.
• Programming experience in languages such as Fortran, C/C++, or Python, including scientific programming such as numerical analysis, data processing, or modeling.
• Experience gathering and documenting system requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and on a team.
• Strong communication and people skills, which are very important because you will work closely with researchers, technical staff, and project managers.

• Experience using AI tools, such as large language models, AI coding assistants, or machine learning frameworks, in software development or technical work, along with the judgment to critically evaluate and verify their output.
• Familiarity with geodetic VLBI or space geodesy.
• Experience supporting federal, aerospace, scientific research, or engineering organizations.
• Experience with cloud platforms, APIs, and automation tools.
• Experience with version control and software development lifecycle (SDLC) methods.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and secure coding practices.

We believe smart people can be trained. NVI will consider candidates without experience in VLBI or in a specific language or tool if they have a proven record of being a quick learner in a scientific or technical area. Your potential is more important to us than your current knowledge.

This position is based at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. We generally expect employees to be on site at least two days a week, and more when project needs require it.

Relocation to the Washington, DC area is a requirement. NVI will provide a relocation allowance.

Eligibility is currently limited to:

• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an H-1B, E-3, or other visa that would allow them to work in the U.S.;
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with
  1) a valid EAD card and
  2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status.

All…