Senior Cloud Data Engineer - Catalog Science Team

Kickstart Your Career in 2025 with STScI!

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), a key NASA science and flight operations center, is hiring a Senior Data Cloud Engineer to join our Catalog Science Branch. We’re looking for a talented and experienced professional to help manage the data infrastructure and processing for our advanced astronomical data archive, the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST), serving missions such as HST, JWST, Roman, Kepler, and TESS. If you're passionate about utilizing big data tools and cloud technologies in a dynamic, mission-driven environment, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

This role supports hybrid work and requires candidates to be based in or willing to relocate to the local market (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC, WV). The position also requires U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency to meet ITAR requirements.

Compensation is competitive, with a salary range of $130,000 - $150,000. The posted salary range represents a general guideline; however, STScI considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers, such as internal pay equity, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's experience, education, and skill, and current market conditions.

Role Overview:

As a Senior Data Cloud Engineer at STScI, you'll design and manage scalable, cloud-based data infrastructure and processes, supporting the storage, processing, and analysis of large volumes of astronomical data. You’ll help advance MAST by building and maintaining data pipelines, ETL processes, and ensuring high data quality and accessibility for exploration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design & Build: Develop and maintain cloud-based systems for managing astronomical data, including storage, backup, integration, governance, recovery, and retrieval.
• Data Pipelines: Build and maintain scalable data ingestion, migration, and processing pipelines to accommodate growing mission data volumes and complexity.
• Scientific Data Tools: Develop and support cloud-based tools for catalog data exploration and scientific analysis.
• Hybrid Environments: Work with both legacy and active mission data in hybrid cloud environments.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Experience: At least 8 years of industry experience in cloud data engineering.
• Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect or similar certifications are preferred.

Key Skills & Expertise:

• SQL Expertise: Strong experience in SQL programming and working with cloud SQL databases (e.g., Amazon RDS).
• Big Data & ETL/ELT: In-depth knowledge of ETL/ELT processes, cloud Lakehouse solutions (e.g., Trino, Iceberg), and big data tools (e.g., Spark).
• Data Architecture & Governance: Familiarity with data modeling, architecture, and governance best practices.
• Cloud Platforms: Hands-on experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS), including deploying and automating cloud applications.
• Programming: Strong skills in Python and experience with containerization and orchestration tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Machine Learning: Basic knowledge of machine learning techniques.

If you’re excited to play a key role in expanding a leading astronomical data archive, we want to hear from you! Apply now to join a team that’s pushing the boundaries of space science and technology.

TO APPLY: Please upload a resume, cover letter and online application. Applications received by March 28, 2025 will receive full consideration. Applications received after this date will be considered until the position is filled.

Direct link - Senior Cloud Data Engineer - Catalog Science Team

Our excellent benefits include:

• Employer retirement contribution – direct STScI contribution of 10% of your salary from your first day
• 12 days sick leave, 24 days’ vacation, and 10 paid holidays
• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision/prescription plans, and more!

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at careers@stsci.edu.