Full-stack DevOps Python Developer

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a brand-new astronomical facility currently under construction in Chile, with headquarters based in Tucson, Arizona. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will undertake the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) which will be the largest and most comprehensive astronomy survey of its kind.

Once the Vera C. Rubin Observatory begins operations, it will be part of NSF’s NOIRLab, the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i.

This time, the project is searching for two Full-stack Python Developers with a DevOps outlook. The selected applicants will develop and maintain core telescope-centered services including REST APIs, message-triggered processing, and database loading. Some services will additionally be deployed at off-site data centers. This work includes assisting with the development and maintenance of several projects including VisitDB and ConsDB, complex databases that associate myriad scalar and time-series data with the observed data products; ObsLocTap, a service for publishing the telescope observing schedule to in advance of each observation so other telescopes may follow along for any interesting detections needing immediate follow-up; and OCPS/UWS, services for executing various data reduction and analysis tasks. The successful developers will be part of a new Summit Services team within Rubin Observatory operations. The team will work closely with Telescope and Site Software and Data Management teams to develop, enhance, and maintain a variety of summit software products for internal and external use. 

The current internal classification for this position is Software Engineer III, meaning we are looking for candidates with a minimum of 5 years of experience working with modern databases, software release management systems and continuous integration preferably with a toolset including Jira, github, Kubernetes, Kafka, PostgreSQL, InfluxDB,  FastAPI, React, and ArgoCD. Applications from candidates with considerable experience are more than welcome, and they will be assessed at the Software Engineer IV level.

This position can be based in La Serena, Chile or Tucson, AZ; or it can be fully remote in the US states of AZ, CA, CO, DC, HI, FL, MD, NM, PA, VA, and WA. The position is expected to last through construction (concluding in 2025) with the expectation to extend the position through 1–2 years of early operations.

Essential Functions:

• Produces quality and documented code and is responsible for one or more services/applications/packages.
• Is a core contributor to the Rubin project, using and integrating with open-source solutions where possible.
• Does upstream contributions to open-source tools where appropriate.
• Analyzes the requirements, design, and implementation choices and questions them if needed by, for example, raising formal requests for comments and other appropriate tickets
• Works with observers, technicians, engineers and other developers consuming Rubin services, as needed, to understand their requirements.
• Reviews other developers' code and submits your code for review as all code must be reviewed before merge.
• Writes and successfully executes tests for all developed code.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities

• This role requires, at least, 5 years of experience working with modern databases, software release management systems, and continuous integration preferably with tools including:
  • Python>=3.7 and its environment
  • PostgreSQL
  • InfluxDB
  • ArgoCD
  • Docker Container/Hub/Compose
  • Kubernetes
  • Kafka
• Must be able to work with minimal direction given good documentation.
• Must have an aptitude for detail-oriented work who has excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have excellent troubleshooting and record-keeping skills in order to manage one’s work and the work of others through ticketing systems.
• Must have an excellent level of spoken and written English.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License; clean driving record; ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• We prefer candidates with a degree in computer science, physics, or astronomy and familiarity with:
• Astronomical Observatory Control Systems
• Jenkins CI/CD
• C/C++
• FAST API
• React framework
• REST APIs,
• Helm
• Astropy
• IVOA standards
• Github actions
• Jupyter Notebooks
• Puppet or similar system configuration management frameworks
• Service-oriented architecture

Physical Requirements:

There are basic physical requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is required to work at high elevation summit sites up to 2,650 meters above sea level (approx. 8,700 feet), carrying out physical activities such as going up and down stairs, as well as, occasionally, working in adverse weather conditions. This position requires passing a medical examination post Offer and, if medically necessary, at specified intervals while employed.

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If you would like to apply for this opportunity, please submit your CV or resume along with a Cover Letter in English (PDF files) by Friday March 29, 2024. Also, kindly provide the contact information of 3 professional references in your application, as they will be contacted later in the recruiting process. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname.Docname. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Kindly note that this position will remain open until filled.

For Chile based positions, salaries meet Chile national market rates and internal scales for AURA. For US based positions, the annual salary range for Software Engineer III is $106,500 - $135,211 and for Software Engineer IV is $126,600 - $158,704. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, experience and job location.  

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment.

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at: employment@aura-astronomy.org

At Rubin Observatory we are committed to diversity and inclusion. Our managing Organization, AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at: Diversity and Inclusion - AURA Astronomy (aura-astronomy.org)

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA.