Software Engineer Group Lead, Online

National Radio Astronomy ObservatoryTitle: Software Engineer Group Lead, Online
- UPDATED

Location:
1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
• 5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA
• 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA Requisition Number: 251 Job Family: Software Engineer Pay Type: Salary Required

Education:
ENG Position Description: Position SummaryThe National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.
At NRAO, we are recruiting an experienced, full-time Software Engineering manager, who will directly supervise software staff. The Online Group Lead manages a team of software engineers, including overseeing resource allocations, team priorities, performance evaluations, recruiting, team building, professional development, and staff succession planning. The team you will manage provides software products and shared software infrastructure that support online operating systems for the VLA, VLBA, and GBT--notably data acquisition, dynamic telescope scheduling, and observation preparation. The data acquisition process includes preparing the antenna arrays for scientific observations and dynamically selecting and executing the most suitable scheduling blocks based on the current array configuration and weather conditions. Observation Preparation Tools support calls for proposals for use of the NRAO telescopes. The Online software group will develop and maintain software capabilities and infrastructure components that can be applied across multiple NRAO systems and new projects.
The Software Engineering Group Lead is also responsible for guiding short
- and long-term planning, coordinating development activities, and establishing engineering best practices that improve interoperability, reliability, maintainability, and operational effectiveness. This position requires close collaboration with scientists, software engineers, systems engineers, operations staff, and project stakeholders to ensure that common software infrastructure is aligned with current operational needs and future observatory capabilities. The group will help identify opportunities to standardize reusable components, reduce duplication, improve system consistency, and support the evolution of NRAO software systems over time.
This position can be based at any of our NRAO locations, including 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 DoingAs the Online Software Engineer Group Lead, you will be responsible for the overall personnel management of software teams responsible for 1) data acquisition software systems, 2) dynamic telescope scheduling systems, 3) observation preparation tools, and 4) software system integration. You will also be responsible for regular reporting on management status and compliance with deadlines to senior management at NRAO and other participating organizations, and you may be asked to present that status to other stakeholders or advisory bodies in formal or informal reviews. Personnel management involves building and maintaining a culture of trust, mutual collaboration, accountability, and excellence within the Online Software group and with its stakeholders. This includes:Seeking to increase the technical diversity and expertise of the group through robust recruiting and onboarding practices. Professional development for existing staff and succession planning.
Ensuring a professional working environment and efficient work processes are maintained through direct line management of staff.
Reviewing timesheets and periodic performance reviews, including interacting with the Human Resources and Business departments of the Observatory when necessary.
Proactive compliance with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures in own work area is expected.
With guidance from the Observatory Human Resource Department, coordinating and advising on personnel matters, ensuring compliance with applicable policies such as affirmative action.
Advising staff on planning, technical, and operational matters, instructs and orienting new employees as necessary.
Interpreting, implementing, developing and/or recommending changes to rules, regulations, policies and procedures set forth by the Observatory.
Programmatic management involves oversight of all aspects of the lifecycle of software for which the group is responsible, including: Gathering of requirements, pla