Rubin Observatory Data Engineer

　　Job ID

　　5720

　　Location

　　SLAC - Menlo Park, CA

　　Full-Time

　　Regular

　　SLAC Job Postings

　　The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a next-generation astronomical facility currently under construction in Chile, with staff distributed across multiple sites, one of which is SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. As its prime mission, Rubin Observatory will undertake the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), which will be one of the largest and most comprehensive astronomy surveys of its kind. Rubin will enable countless discoveries in almost every area of modern astronomical research—discoveries made possible by the team that built the Rubin Observatory system, and by the global science community that Rubin Observatory serves. SLAC will be partnering with NSF’s NOIRLab to operate Rubin, and is managing the Rubin US Data Facilities. The US Data Facility at SLAC is the primary data processing center for the LSST data, handling all of the nightly image processing, over a third of the annual data release processing, manages the US Data Access Center hosted in the Google Cloud, and is the primary data archive for Rubin Observatory.

　　SLAC was the lead lab for construction of the LSST Camera, and will continue to provide scientific and technical support for LSSTCam during Rubin survey operations. SLAC is also the host laboratory for the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration. More generally, SLAC has a broad and vibrant scientific program in fundamental physics, with current research topics including cosmic survey science, cosmic microwave background, direct dark matter searches, proton collider physics and neutrino physics, as well as theoretical and computational physics. SLAC and Stanford are partners in the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC), which hosts a broad program in astrophysics.

　　SLAC invites you to apply for the position of software developer with the role of Rubin Observatory Data Engineer. The next few years will be a very exciting time for Rubin Observatory; as the USDF becomes a production facility and image data starts to flow from the biggest digital camera in the world, this is a truly unique opportunity to join the operations team that will make Rubin’s LSST reach its ground-breaking science goals.

　　Given the nature of this position, SLAC is open to on-site, hybrid, and remote work options. .

　　Your responsibilities will include the following:

　　Report functionally to the Rubin Operations Data Scientist, Gregory Dubois-Felsmann.

　　Understand the LSST data model (primarily the catalogs and the image metadata).

　　Understand the IVOA-standards-based data services model for the LSST data products.

　　Maintain and further develop Python tooling supporting machine-readable descriptions of the data model, and transformations of this information to support various Rubin Science Platform (RSP) applications, and to create documentation.

　　Develop and maintain Python microservices to provide more convenient access to particular views of the data, following the IVOA DataLink standard.

　　To be successful in this position you will bring:

　　Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

　　Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and programming tools.

　　Demonstrated experience in designing, developing, testing, and deploying applications.

　　Strong understanding of data design, architecture, relational databases, and data modeling.

　　Thorough understanding of all aspects of software development life cycle and quality control practices.

　　Ability to define and solve logical problems for highly technical applications.

　　Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical clients.

　　Demonstrated experience leading activities on structured team development projects.

　　Ability to select, adapt, and effectively use a variety of programming methods.

　　Ability to recognize and recommend needed changes in user and/or operations procedures.

　　Substantial experience programming in Python.

　　Familiarity with the basics of contemporary open-source development practices (use of GitHub; unit testing; continuous integration with GitHub Actions).

　　Some familiarity with concepts of containerized software management and deployment, including Docker and Kubernetes, would be helpful but is not required at the start (but we would strongly encourage active learning in this area).

　　Organizational and communication skills, with the ability to learn quickly and convey complex technical concepts effectively with a diverse population, such that you are able to work productively in a multinational team.

　　Dependability, flexibility, and willingness to take initiative.

　　Applying for these positions, you should know that:

　　SLAC is committed to increasing the diversity of its staff and to fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment, and we encourage applications from candidates who will diversify the lab’s workforce in scientific computing and fundamental physics. Above all we are looking for someone enthusiastic with a desire to learn and experiment in a highly supportive and collaborative environment.

　　SLAC offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and an attractive, inclusive and collaborative work environment in the foothills of Silicon Valley. Relocation expenses will be covered.

　　In your application, you should please include a CV and cover letter. We encourage applicants to follow the structure of the AAS advice on the contents of CVs and research statements given here: https://jobregister.aas.org/postdoc-application-guidelines. Applicants are welcome to provide an additional statement (up to one page) that discusses their experience with or commitment to engaging in mentoring, outreach, teaching, public policy, fostering inclusive environments, or activities that diversify the field.

　　Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but must be received by February 1, 2023 to ensure full consideration. You should direct questions about the position to the Hiring Manager, Phil Marshall ( [email protected] ).

　　SLAC Employee competencies :

　　Effective Decisions : Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.

　　Self-Development : Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.

　　Dependability : Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.

　　Initiative : Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.

　　Adaptability : Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.

　　Communication : Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.

　　Relationships : Builds relationships to foster trust, team collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.

　　Physical requirements and working conditions :

　　Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.Work standards :

　　Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

　　Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1—General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf

　　Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

　　Classification Title: Software Developer 3

　　Duration: Regular Continuing

　　Job code: 4823

　　The expected pay range for this position is $124,000 to $186,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

　　SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.