Senior Software Engineer

The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO) and managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is the world's largest and most advanced solar telescope, located on the summit of Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. The Senior Software Engineer will provide technical leadership and hands-on development for High-Level Software (HLS) systems supporting advanced telescope and instrumentation platforms, solving complex technical challenges, guiding engineers and partners, and contributing to system design, development, and operations at the DKIST facility. The role involves delivering robust, scalable software systems that support scientific discovery, in collaboration with cross-functional teams across engineering and operations. Work environment is primarily office-based with extended computer use, occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs), and periodic work at a high-elevation observatory site (~10,000 ft).

Responsibilities

Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain high-level software systems for telescope and instrument applications; Lead complex engineering efforts and provide technical direction to team members and collaborators; Architect and implement scalable, multi-threaded, distributed systems; Support system integration across observatory platforms; Partner with engineering teams, operations staff, subcontractors, and stakeholders to deliver solutions; Plan and execute work aligned with technical, schedule, and budget requirements; Identify and resolve complex problems with minimal direction; Recommend and implement improvements to systems and processes; Maintain comprehensive documentation (design specs, APIs, test plans, user guides); Ensure high-quality software delivery through testing and best practices; Support CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks; Provide software support for summit and science operations as needed; Participate in system upgrades and new initiatives; Adhere to safety standards and organizational policies; Ensure compliance with government award requirements (if applicable); Promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience); 10+ years of software development experience; 5+ years with Java (including Swing); Experience building multi-threaded, distributed systems; At least 1 year of Python; Experience with Linux-based development environments; Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work from high-level objectives; Experience with databases (PostgreSQL or similar); Familiarity with Agile development practices; Strong written and verbal communication skills; Eligibility to access export-controlled technical data under U.S. law (U.S. person as defined in ITAR/EAR regulations)

Nice to have

Experience in scientific, engineering, or large-scale technical environments; Knowledge of distributed control systems or observatory/telescope systems; Experience with middleware frameworks (e.g., EPICS, TANGO, DDS, ICE); Experience with high-throughput data systems (GB/s scale); Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing; Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP); Experience with container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes); Familiarity with motion control systems (e.g., Beckhoff, Omron, Delta Tau); Experience managing vendors or technical contractors

Benefits

Paid time off; Retirement plan contributions; Competitive salary commensurate with experience; Attractive work environment