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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer II-III - **Company:** National Radio Astronomy Observatory - **Location:** Albuquerque, NM, United States (Remote available) - **Salary:** $87,000 - $121,000 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Compilers, Software Documentation, Code Review, Computer Networks, Continuous Integration, Software Design Documents, Linux, Distributed Systems, Network Interface Controllers, Firmware, Monitoring of Systems, Hypertext Transfer Protocols (HTTP), Integrated Development Environments, JSON, Python (Programming Language), Multicasting, Object-Oriented Software Development, Scrum Methodology, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Strategies of Testing, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Real Time Systems, Information Technology, Restful APIs, Software Version Control - **Published:** October 27, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=225858bcc8b975ee ## About the Role * A Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, scientific or related field; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree. * While not required, you may have an advanced degree in a related field. Experience * One or more years of experience developing software applications. Candidates with progressively more experience will be considered for a higher-level position ranking. * Relevant 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. Skills and Competencies * Proficiency with Java; familiarity with C/C++ and Python is valuable * A solid understanding of object-oriented design and development * Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new software languages and unfamiliar domains * Understanding of networking concepts and technologies: multicast, TCP, UDP, HTTP, XML, JSON, REST * Experience with version control software, testing methodologies, and CI/CD * Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with scientists and hardware engineers * Comfort working in a Linux (RHEL) environment The following are highly preferred: * Experience translating high-level domain concepts into machine- or hardware-level representations - compilers, planners, schedulers, configuration engines, or similar systems that turn intent into instructions * Skill in domain modeling and in expressing complex validation rules and constraints clearly in code * Experience with distributed systems, or with control and monitoring software for scientific, industrial, or other physical instruments * A working comfort with mathematics and unit-bearing quantities - coordinate transformations, frequency and time calculations, and the care required to get them right * Familiarity with signal processing concepts, digital IF chains, or correlator architectures * Familiarity with basic astronomical principles, radio astronomy, or interferometry * Experience collaborating in an Agile/Scrum environment, including sprint planning, estimating tasks, and breaking down requirements into user stories Note 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. ## Description NRAO 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. This 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. What You Will be Doing * Designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining components of the online software that configure and control the VLA, VLBA, and GBT in real time. * Develop 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. * Model 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. * Work 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. * Diagnose 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. * Support 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). * Write and maintain critical documentation, including requirements, software design documents, interface control documents, and user documentation. * Participate in code review, testing, and release processes for software that runs mission-critical, 24/7 scientific facilities. Work Environment The 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.