Scientific Software Engineer II

Summary

Join us as our newest Scientific Software Engineer II and build the software behind the stars! Do you love writing code that matters? As a Scientific Software Engineer II, you'll design, build, and support the software that keeps an observatory running. That includes instrument integration, data pipelines, and day-to-day operations. You'll own your software components and work with limited supervision. You'll shape design decisions and make systems more reliable, secure, and automated. You'll also take part in on-call support, share your know-how with junior engineers, and work with a multidisciplinary team to deliver solutions that work in the real world.

Job description

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three (3) years of demonstrated experience developing production-quality software applications using Python or comparable modern programming languages.
• Experience developing and maintaining software components that integrate with existing systems, data pipelines, or instrumentation environments.
• Working experience with version control systems, testing frameworks, and structured release or deployment practices.
• Experience working in Unix/Linux environments including shell scripting.
• Exposure to operational support, troubleshooting, or on-call environments.
• Solid understanding of software engineering fundamentals including modular design, testing, documentation, and maintainability.
• Ability to analyze complex technical problems and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to write clear technical documentation and operational procedures.
• Effective time management and ability to manage multiple priorities within defined scope.
• Proficiency in at least one primary programming language (e.g., Python, C, JavaScript) and familiarity with supporting tools and frameworks.
• Working knowledge of databases, APIs, and web-enabled applications.
• Familiarity with object-oriented programming principles and common design patterns.
• Exposure to scientific computing, data processing, or automation workflows.
• Ability to use development tools including IDEs, debugging tools, version control systems, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Valid driver's license.

Benefits

• Annual Paid Vacation
• 403(b) Employer Contribution
• Tuition Assistance
• Health Insurance
• Relocation Support

Company overview

The W. M. Keck Observatory is a world-renowned astronomical research facility located near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii at an elevation of 4,145 meters. Established through a partnership between the California Institute of Technology and the University of California, the observatory operates two 10-meter optical reflecting telescopes that were the largest in the world when completed in 1993 (Keck I) and 1996 (Keck II). Managed by the California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the observatory represents a major advancement in telescope technology through its innovative use of segmented mirrors and active optics systems. Each telescope consists of 36 hexagonal mirror segments that work together as a single unit, maintained by computer-controlled actuators that adjust positions twice per second to counteract environmental effects. The facility has been instrumental in numerous astronomical discoveries, including exoplanet detection, studies of distant galaxies, and observations of solar system bodies. Funded primarily through grants from the W. M. Keck Foundation and supported by NASA, the National Science Foundation, and other research organizations, the observatory continues to push the boundaries of astronomical research with its advanced instrumentation suite including spectrometers, imagers, and adaptive optics systems.