Software Engineer Group Lead, Online

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Title:

Software Engineer Group Lead, Online

Location:

155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA, 1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA, 5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA

Requisition Number: 251

Job Family:
Software Engineer

Pay Type:

Salary

Required

Education:

ENG

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 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.

As 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…