Software Engineer

This position, within the Planetary Atmospheres research group and specifically within the Submillimetre Wave Instrument (SWI) project, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to both the technical and scientific challenges of space research on a cutting-edge planetary mission. We are looking for a candidate with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset who is willing to learn and apply new concepts and techniques.

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Software Engineer (f/m/d) to join our team in developing and maintaining the SWI ground segment software infrastructure, with a strong focus on data pipelines, automation, and science data archiving support. In this role, you will play a central part in building and optimizing the software systems that enable the processing, calibration, and archiving of SWI science data. You will work closely with scientists, engineers, and mission operations teams to ensure robust, scalable, and user-friendly tools that support the full lifecycle of SWI science operations as part of our ground segment.

Your Tasks

• Maintain, enhance, and build upon existing SWI science operations for SWI ground segment data pipeline (mostly Python)
• Implement and optimize automated workflows for data processing, calibration, and validation
• Act as a “developer” or “product owner” in developing, debugging or testing software pipelines, web-interface, or back-end
• Contribution to the meetings and relevant reviews for the software work-packages

A PhD, MSc (or soon to be completed PhD) in physics, planetary science, or a in aerospace, telecommunication, or software engineering

• A solid Python programming skills, Docker and Gitlab familiarity
• Experience in front-end development (e.g. streamlit)
• Ability to work in a team and learn new things
• Good command of spoken and written English

Remuneration according to TVöDBund, based on qualifications and experience, annual bonus and additional pension scheme (VBL)

• 30 days of vacation plus 4 additional days off
• Full-time and part-time employment; flexible working time and possibility of mobile work
• Cooperation with local bilingual Montessori child care center
• Good public transport connection
• Corporate health management

We offer

• A dynamic, international research environment at the forefront of planetary science and space instrumentation
• The opportunity to contribute to a flagship ESA mission with long-term scientific impact
• Support for professional development, including training, conference participation, and collaboration with leading institutions
• A supportive team with strong expertise in both software engineering and planetary science

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the fields of solar physics and planetary research, with approximately 300 employees. The interdisciplinary research focus lies in the investigation of the development, diversity, and dynamics of planets, moons, small bodies, the sun, and solar-like stars. MPS develops and operates scientific instruments for current and future space missions (e.g., ESA, NASA) and conducts cosmochemical laboratory investigations of meteorites as well as numerical modeling on state-of-the-art supercomputers.