RAF Software Engineer Programmer IV Casual

The Research Aviation Facility (RAF), a facility within the Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL) at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), operates advanced research aircraft, including the NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V and C-130, in support of airborne field campaigns across the geosciences. RAF provides the scientific community with specialized airborne platforms, sensor suites, real-time telemetry, and in-flight computing infrastructure used to conduct research in the atmospheric geosciences in fields such as atmospheric chemistry, storm dynamics, and cloud physics.

The Casual Software Engineer IV role serves as an Airborne Data Systems Knowledge Transfer & Technical Advisor. This Casual appointment exists for one purpose: to transfer that undocumented knowledge to the incoming Lead and the continuing software engineering staff, and to convert it into maintained documentation, before it is lost. The appointment is designed to make itself unnecessary. A substantial share of the design rationale, failure history, hardware-specific behavior, and operational practice for these systems has never been written down. It exists as practitioner knowledge held by one individual., * Knowledge Transfer & Mentoring of the Incoming Lead

• Documentation of Undocumented Systems
• On-Call Technical Consultation
• Transition Support to Continuing Engineering Staff
• Provides expert guidance and mentoring to the development team to ensure optimal and robust software solutions are determined.
• Solves complex engineering challenges related to real-time data acquisition, embedded Linux systems, hardware drivers, signal processing, and securing edge DAQ hardware in high-vibration airborne environments.
• Acts as an advisor to management and customers on advanced technical applications.
• Works on complex technical problems. Uses a high level of initiative, reasoning, and analytical abilities to design and implement the most appropriate and practical technical solution for the problem at hand.
• Supervision and guidance is given in terms of broad, general objectives and tasks.
• Consults with peers or appropriate experts concerning unusual problems and developments.

Bachelor’s degree in computer-related field and extensive and progressive relevant experience and/or education, which is typically gained by twelve or more years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. May include formal supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert skills in software engineering methodologies.
• Broad knowledge of computer science, technology, and trends.
• In-depth knowledge of more than one application domain.
• Proficient with architecture of large-scale, complex systems including interacting components.
• Advanced ability to enhance existing software processes and define standards and guidelines
• Applies advanced technical principles, theories and concepts. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.
• Able to provide leadership in determining strategic choice and configuration of development tools

Hiring Hourly Rate Range: $66.44 - $83.05/hour

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.