Software Engineer III-IV

Software Engineer III-IV – National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Join the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) as a Software Engineer III-IV, working on cutting‑edge astronomical data systems. The role is based in Alameda, Bernalillo County, US, with a competitive salary range of $79,000‑$138,000.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for radio astronomy instrumentation and data pipelines.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and IT staff across multiple NRAO sites (Virginia, Socorro, Albuquerque) to translate research requirements into robust code.
• Implement high‑performance computing solutions and optimize algorithms for large‑scale data processing.
• Participate in code reviews, documentation, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for operational software systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of professional software development experience, preferably in scientific or high‑performance computing environments.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and scripting languages; experience with Linux/Unix systems.
• Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software architecture.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with radio astronomy instrumentation or signal processing.
• Knowledge of parallel programming (MPI, OpenMP) and GPU computing.
• Familiarity with version control (Git) and agile development methodologies.

Location & Salary

Alameda, Bernalillo County, US – Salary $79,000 – $138,000 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of projects will I work on as a Software Engineer at NRAO?

You will develop and maintain software for radio astronomy instruments, data pipelines, and high‑performance computing systems that support cutting‑edge scientific research.

Is remote work possible for this role?

The primary location is Alameda, Bernalillo County, but occasional collaboration with NRAO sites in Virginia and New Mexico may require travel or remote coordination.

What education and experience are required?

A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field and at least 5 years of software development experience, preferably in scientific or high‑performance environments.