R&D Software Engineer II, Steward Observatory

R&D Software Engineer II, Steward Observatory

R&D Software Engineer II, Steward Observatory

Posting Number req
27143

Department Steward Observatory

Department Website Link https://astro.arizona.edu

Location Tucson Campus

Address Tucson, AZ USA

Steward Observatory is both a century-old observatory on the University of Arizona campus and one of the University’s oldest research units. Founded in 1918, the Observatory brings together students, staff, faculty, engineers, and technicians to explore the universe and share discoveries through world‑class research, education, and outreach. With more than 180 professionals supporting advanced facilities, laboratories, and observatories, Steward Observatory offers a collaborative environment where technical expertise plays a critical role in advancing ground- and space‑based astronomy.

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites you to apply for the role of R&D Software Engineer II. In this role, you will develop, maintain, and integrate software systems that support the fabrication and metrology of large‑scale astronomical telescope mirrors. Working collaboratively with scientists, engineers, technicians, and other software developers, you will apply software engineering principles to develop multidisciplinary solutions for new and existing mirror fabrication and testing projects.

You will support the full software lifecycle, including requirements definition, software design and development, integration, testing, troubleshooting, documentation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance. Software systems may span real‑time equipment control, data acquisition, data processing and analysis, graphical user interfaces, and web‑based applications.

Occasional travel to vendor, customer, or remote observatory sites may be required.

This position supports a federal contract which requires that the selected candidate be a U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens cannot be considered for this position).

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

• Develop, maintain, modify, and integrate software applications used in the fabrication of large astronomical telescope mirrors, including systems supporting casting furnaces, grinding equipment, polishing equipment, and related fabrication processes.
• Develop and maintain software ranging from low-level and real-time equipment control to data acquisition, data processing, analysis, graphical user interfaces, and web-based applications.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance software supporting optical metrology systems involving interferometry, deflectometry, laser tracking, scanning pentaprism testing, and other specialized measurement systems used to evaluate and characterize telescope mirrors.
• Design and develop software solutions for new research and development projects by evaluating requirements, defining technical approaches, developing applications, and integrating software with specialized scientific and engineering systems.

• Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and other software engineers to develop multidisciplinary software solutions and integrate software with laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and fabrication systems.

• Analyze existing software and systems to identify performance, reliability, usability, and functionality improvements, and implement…