Software 3R9xBGxa - Test & Quality — United States

About The Company

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a leading research and development organization dedicated to advancing our understanding of the universe. Managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), a nonprofit entity operating under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation, NRAO provides cutting-edge radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has significantly contributed to astronomical discoveries, including studies of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe. Its commitment to scientific excellence and technological innovation makes it a hub for collaboration among scientists and engineers worldwide.

About The Role

We are seeking a mid-level Software Engineer specializing in Test and Quality to join the Science User Applications Group (SUA) at NRAO. SUA is responsible for developing some of the Observatory’s most prominent user-facing software applications, such as the NRAO Science Archive and the Science Proposal applications. This role focuses on ensuring these applications are reliable, thoroughly tested, and maintainable, enabling confident and efficient software evolution.

The successful candidate will primarily work on the NRAO Science Archive, collaborating with the Archive Team, with potential to support other SUA teams over time. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to next-generation tools vital to the Observatory’s current and future telescope projects, including the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). The role is based in Albuquerque, NM; Socorro, NM; Charlottesville, VA; or Green Bank, WV, with remote work options considered for well-qualified candidates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, a scientific field, or a related discipline; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Advanced degrees are welcomed but not required.

• A minimum of one year of experience in software application development.

• At least three years of professional experience in software development or software testing, with a strong focus on test automation and quality assurance practices preferred.

• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.

• Familiarity with standard software engineering concepts, practices, and procedures through academic training or internship experience.

• Professional experience designing and implementing automated tests including unit, integration, and end-to-end testing.

• Experience with testing frameworks and tools such as pytest, JUnit, Jasmine/Karma, Cypress, Playwright, or Selenium.

• Experience with version control systems and CI/CD pipeline integration for automated testing.

• Proficiency in Python, Java, or comparable programming languages.

• Experience testing web applications and APIs, with a solid understanding of HTTP and RESTful services.

• Skills in debugging, profiling software systems, and diagnosing performance issues.

• Understanding of object-oriented design with the ability to write maintainable and well-structured code.

• Experience working with relational databases and managing test data.

• Ability and enthusiasm to learn new languages, frameworks, and tools.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a Scrum team environment.

• Authorization to work in the United States is required; NRAO does not sponsor new H-1B visas for this position.

Preferred But Not Required

• Familiarity with front-end web technologies such as Angular, TypeScript, and webpack.

• Experience with performance and load testing tools.

• Knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker, Docker Compose, Docker Swarm, or Kubernetes.

• Experience with object-relational mapping tools (e.g., SQLAlchemy) and messaging systems such as RabbitMQ.

• Experience with test strategy development, test planning, and defect tracking.

• Basic understanding of astronomical principles and data reduction techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain a robust automated test infrastructure encompassing unit, integration, and end-to-end testing.

• Create and maintain automated tests for backend services and web user interfaces.

• Integrate testing processes into CI/CD pipelines to ensure early detection of issues and reliable software releases.

• Identify and analyze performance bottlenecks and regressions through profiling and load testing.

• Collaborate closely with developers to enhance testability, diagnose defects, and improve overall code quality.

• Contribute to the design and delivery of key components within the Observatory’s software systems.

• Maintain and upgrade existing software and develop new tools supporting evolving observing methods.

• Participate actively in a collaborative team environment focused on research, development, and innovation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range between $96,588 and $120,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• Comprehensive benefits package effective from the first day of employment, including medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Generous paid time off including 13 holidays and up to 24 vacation days annually.

• Retirement benefits with a 10 percent contribution of base pay by AUI without employee contribution requirements.

• Opportunities for professional growth and participation in cutting-edge scientific research.

Equal Opportunity

Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.