{"id":2899155,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aui-software-engineer-ii-iii-2","title":"Software Engineer II-III","company":{"id":1848852,"name":"AUI","domain":"aui.edu","url":"https://alion.io/company/aui-edu","size_band":"11-50","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Dayforce","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":15,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":26,"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"middle","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"remote","remote_scope":"stated_countries","remote_scope_basis":"posting_text","remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":["US"],"hiring_countries_total":1,"salary":{"min":87000,"max":121000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":121000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":1,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"Java","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Rest API","optional":false},{"name":"Scrum","optional":false},{"name":"Vision-Language-Action","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-18T06:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-20","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T02:01:10Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":33,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":33},"description":"Position Description:\n\nPosition Summary\nThe 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.\n\nNRAO is seeking an experienced Software Engineer to join the Online Software Group. The online system is the real-time heart of our observing software. It is responsible for configuring, controlling, and monitoring the real-time systems of our telescopes, including the the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) spread across the US and its territories, and the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia. This software is responsible for taking scientific-domain configuration parameters and decomposing them into the hardware settings and motion commands required by our antennas, and into the corresponding configurations for the associated digital signal processing instruments (e.g. VEGAS for the GBT, and correlators for the VLA and the VLBA). When an observation runs, this software is what makes it happen.\n\nThis position will be based in Albuquerque, NM, Socorro, NM, Charlottesville, VA or Green Bank, WV. For well-qualified candidates, a remote work arrangement may be considered.\n\nWhat You Will be Doing\nDesigning, implementing, testing, and maintaining components of the online software that configure and control the VLA, VLBA, and GBT in real time.\nDevelop and extend the translation layer that decomposes scientific-domain observing parameters into the engineering parameters the hardware understands: IF-chain configurations, antenna motion commands, and digital signal processing configurations for instruments like VEGAS, WIDAR, and DiFX.\nModel the observing domain in software — frequency setups, subband and baseband layouts, polarization products, timing and integration structure — and implement the rules, constraints, and legality checks that determine which configurations are achievable on which instrument.\nWork from interface control documents and hardware specifications, in close collaboration with the engineers and scientists who own the underlying subsystems, to ensure the commands the online system emits are correct and complete.\nDiagnose and resolve issues that span the layers between a scientist's observing specification and the command stream sent to the telescope, often in collaboration with telescope operators, engineers, and scientific staff.\nSupport the evolution of the online system to meet new observing paradigms and instrumentation, including work that informs and feeds into the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).\nWrite and maintain critical documentation, including requirements, software design documents, interface control documents, and user documentation.\nParticipate in code review, testing, and release processes for software that runs mission-critical, 24/7 scientific facilities.\n\nWork Environment\nThe successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Occasional travel (domestic and international) may be required.\n\nWho You Are:\n\nEducation\nA Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, scientific or related field; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.\nWhile not required, you may have an advanced degree in a related field.\n\nExperience\nOne or more years of experience developing software applications. Candidates with progressively more experience will be considered for a higher-level position ranking.\nRelevant experience with radio astronomy operating software and procedures is preferred. Knowledge of radio astronomy theories and practice would be valuable. Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership of complex data acquisition, scheduling, and operational support systems is preferred.\n\nSkills and Competencies\nProficiency with Java; familiarity with C/C++ and Python is valuable\nA solid understanding of object-oriented design and development\nDemonstrated ability to learn and apply new software languages and unfamiliar domains\nUnderstanding of networking concepts and technologies: multicast, TCP, UDP, HTTP, XML, JSON, REST\nExperience with version control software, testing methodologies, and CI/CD\nStrong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with scientists and hardware engineers\nComfort working in a Linux (RHEL) environment\n\nThe following are highly preferred:\nExperience translating high-level domain concepts into machine- or hardware-level representations — compilers, planners, schedulers, configuration engines, or similar systems that turn intent into instructions\nSkill in domain modeling and in expressing complex validation rules and constraints clearly in code\nExperience with distributed systems, or with control and monitoring software for scientific, industrial, or other physical instruments\nA working comfort with mathematics and unit-bearing quantities — coordinate transformations, frequency and time calculations, and the care required to get them right\nFamiliarity with signal processing concepts, digital IF chains, or correlator architectures\nFamiliarity with basic astronomical principles, radio astronomy, or interferometry\nExperience collaborating in an Agile/Scrum environment, including sprint planning, estimating tasks, and breaking down requirements into user stories\n\nNote that this position does not involve direct hardware or firmware development; though an understanding of these systems and real-time control principles can be valuable. Your work will live at the layer above, producing correct hardware-level configurations and commands from scientific intent, against interfaces defined and maintained by others.\n\nAdditional Requirement\n\nObservatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.\n\nTotal Rewards:\n\nCompensation\nThe starting salary of this position is between $87,000 and $121,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.\n\nBenefits:\nAssociated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:\nExcellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)\nMedical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.\nAUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.\nClick Total Rewards for more information.\n\nApplication Instructions:\n\nSelect the “Apply” button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.\n\nEqual Opportunity Employer Statement:\n\nAUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . 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