Software Engineer

Support NASA missions! The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is a multi-mission science and flight operations center for NASA’s flagship observatories on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn more about our missions.

This position can support hybrid work onsite and at home.  Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to our local market. (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC & WV).

This position requires US Citizenship or Permanent Residence in order to meet ITAR requirements.

Software Engineer Role 

The Data Management Division at the STScI is hiring a Software Engineer (junior level/2 years) to help advance our state-of-the-art data pipelines and analysis tools, in addition to Python notebook development for our NASA flagship missions.  

STScI has been a major contributor to the open-source scientific Python software stack, including NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, and Astropy. We incorporate Jupyter notebooks in data-analysis applications and developing and supporting JupyterLab environments in the cloud. You will be developing both the analysis tools focusing on the challenges of data visualization and the technical aspects of Jupyter notebooks through which they can be accessed.

You will contribute not only to software but also to algorithm development, user support, training, and software engineering process improvement.

Responsibilities include:

You will, design, develop, test and deploy software to assist astronomers in analyzing astronomical data, in close collaboration with STScI’s technical and scientific staff. You will help maintain and extend the current packages as well as build new ones. You will communicate and interact with the open-source community in development forums such as GitHub, as well as in scientific and technical papers and conference presentations. You will provide technical development to Python notebooks that focus on scientific use cases.

Qualifications:

You will work principally in advanced Python, but experience with a compiled language such as C or C would be beneficial. You will use classes, context managers, exception handling, iterators, decorators, and lambda functions. Experience in multiprocessing, multithreading, or optimizing performance of Python code for large datasets is a plus. You are comfortable with writing unit tests and with test-driven development.

Bachelor’s degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Astronomy. Education or professional background in astronomy, or software development in a research environment would help.

Compensation is commensurate with education and experience. Our excellent benefits include:

• Employer retirement contribution – direct STScI contribution of 10% of your salary from your first day
• 12 days sick leave, up to 24 days’ vacation, and 10 paid holidays
• Flexible work schedule with work/life balance
• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision/prescription plans, and more!

TO APPLY: Please complete an online application and upload a resume and cover letter. Applications received by September 27, 2023 will receive full consideration. Applications received after this date will be considered until the position is filled.

Direct link: Software Engineer

Explore all career opportunities at www.stsci.edu/opportunities

STScI offers a flexible and welcoming workspace for all. STScI embraces the diversity of our staff as a strategic priority in creating a first-rate community. We strongly encourage women, ethnic minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals to apply for these opportunities. Veterans, disabled individuals, or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at careers@stsci.edu EOE/AA/M/F/D/V.

As a leader in the astronomical community, AURA is committed to diversity and inclusion. AURA develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the workforce www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity.asp

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA and all of the centers do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below, as well as the requests for self-identification, are required under these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements for protection and assisting us in our record-keeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.