Software Engineer Ii - Scientific Python Programmer

Software Engineer Level II – Scientific Python Programmer

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. 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 (DMD) is hiring a Software Engineer Level II to help advance our state-of-the-art, astronomical data archive, the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST).  MAST is the public data archive for more than 20 missions spanning more than 30 years, including HST, JWST, Roman, GALEX, PanSTARRS, Kepler, K2, and TESS. This is a Software Engineer position supporting astronomical Python packages:  the majority of your workload will be in designing, developing, maintaining, and deploying open-source packages for researchers to access and discover data in MAST.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing, developing, and maintaining cutting-edge Python packages that enable the public to access and discover data from MAST missions, such as our astroquery.mast search package and our astrocut image cutout package
• Collaborating with, and providing technical guidance to, other engineers and astronomers in MAST and at STScI as we develop applications and prepare for upcoming missions
• Developing and contributing to user-facing documentation and Jupyter notebook tutorials on how to use these packages
• Creating and maintaining automated tests for our supported packages

Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in astronomy or physics, or equivalent knowledge level is required.  A minimum expertise level of 3+ years developing Python packages is expected.

• Considerable experience developing in Python
• Familiarity with World Coordinate System (WCS) and common astronomy libraries like astropy
• Some experience in one or more of the following development practices:
  • creating unit/regression tests (e.g., pytest, unittest)
  • automated documentation (e.g., ReadTheDocs, Sphinx)
  • version control (e.g., GitHub)
  • package development (e.g., creating PyPI or conda packages)
• Excels at working in a team environment to collaboratively work on projects
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Comfortable working on multiple projects within a two-week period

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 healthy work/life balance
• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision/prescription plans, and more!

TO APPLY: Please upload both a resume and a one-page cover letter.  Your cover letter should describe the skills and experiences you bring to this position, why you are a good fit for this role at STScI, and how this position aligns with your career goals.

The salary range for this position is between $90,000 - $115,000. Substitution of additional relevant education and/or experience for stated qualifications may be considered. Compensation is commensurate with education, skills and experience. 

Direct link: https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/SPA1004AURA/JobBoard/93330e50-7b3a-4ba8-94f2-6f32360aa4e1/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=be3bc7c7-1e13-428d-af11-d49e77a343a1

Applications received by January 22, 2024 will receive full consideration. Applications received after this date will be considered until the position is filled.

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.