Software Engineer Group Lead, Online

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking a Software Engineering Group Lead for the Online software group to supervise software staff and provide planning and technical leadership across software products and shared infrastructure supporting VLA, VLBA, and GBT operations.

Role Overview

This position leads software teams responsible for data acquisition software systems, dynamic telescope scheduling systems, observation preparation tools, and software system integration. The Group Lead provides personnel and programmatic and technical management, ensuring delivery of high-quality software products that align with stakeholder expectations and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall personnel and technical management for software teams covering: (1) data acquisition software systems, (2) dynamic telescope scheduling systems, (3) observation preparation tools, and (4) software system integration.
• Deliver regular reports to senior management at NRAO and other participating organizations on management status and compliance with deadlines.
• Present program status to stakeholders or advisory bodies in formal or informal reviews when requested.
• Improve group technical diversity and expertise through recruiting and onboarding practices.
• Support professional development for current staff and succession planning.
• Maintain a professional working environment and efficient work processes through direct line management of staff.
• Review timesheets and conduct periodic performance reviews, coordinating with Human Resources and Business departments as needed.
• Maintain proactive compliance with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures within the role’s work area.
• With guidance from the Observatory Human Resource Department, coordinate and advise on personnel matters, including compliance with applicable policies such as affirmative action.
• Advise staff on planning, technical, and operational matters, and instruct and orient new employees when necessary.
• Interpret, implement, develop, and/or recommend changes to Observatory rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Gather requirements; plan development; assign tasks; track progress; coordinate integration, testing, acceptance, and release with quality standards.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, set priorities based on stakeholder needs, and maintain effective communications.
• Develop the software infrastructure and guide integration of software components to maintain consistent implementation quality across the group.
• Approve technical direction within the team and work with expert developers to improve practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, physics, astronomy, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• At least three (3) years of experience directly supervising a software team of three (3) or more people.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in software development.
• Experience leading software development groups, preferably within the astronomy domain.
• Experience leading a distributed team of developers and familiarity with management, planning, and reporting.
• Ability to handle ongoing activities while forming long-term direction.
• Experience balancing maintenance, improvement, and enhancement of operational software.
• Strong planning and management skills for expert developers and scientists.
• Competency through the full development process, from requirements gathering to development, testing, and the formalism needed.
• Strong interpersonal and group communication skills, written and oral.
• Familiarity with technologies such as Java, C, C++, and Python, including testing frameworks, threading, and parallelization.
• Ability to translate science requirements into software requirements.
• Understanding of software architecture and its implications for development.
• Strong leadership and delegation capabilities.
• Ability to maintain and develop productive collaborations across organizations and anticipate or mitigate political and technical issues.
• Ability to establish firm, professional, and respectful interactions with staff and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated initiative refining and clarifying requirements, defining and implementing QA processes, defining and monitoring plans, defining technical direction, and facilitating alignment.
• Ability to learn new areas and apply learning, with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with project management concepts and techniques.
• United States work authorization is required.
• The Observatory cannot sponsor H-1B visas for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant experience with radio astronomy operating software and procedures.
• Knowledge of radio astronomy theories and practice.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership of complex data acquisition, scheduling, and operational support systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading software development groups within astronomy.

Technologies

Java, C, C++, Python

Compensation

USD 123,000 - 153,000 per year

Work Location

Green Bank, WV (hybrid)

Benefits

• Excellent paid time off: 13 holidays and annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.

Work Environment

• Work is typically performed in a research and development office environment.
• Occasional travel (domestic and international) may be required.