National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Charlottesville, Virginia
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Deputy Chief Information Officer Location: 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA• 800 Bradbury Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA• 1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA• NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America Requisition Number: 186 Job Family: Mgmt & Senior Admin Pay Type: Salary Required Education: MGT Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a renowned and prestigious research facility that plays a crucial role in studying 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 operates various radio telescopes around the world, including the well-known Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) across North America, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced globally, enabling astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The NRAO is seeking a strategic, execution-focused Deputy Chief Information Officer to lead the Observatory's Information Technology organization through a period of significant modernization and organizational evolution. Reporting to the Assistant Director for Data Management & Software (DMS)/CIO, the Deputy CIO acts as the top IT leader responsible for operational excellence, technology transformation, and delivering dependable, scalable services across a highly distributed, data-heavy environment. This position will lead the development of IT capabilities to support next-generation radio astronomy, large-scale scientific projects, and a hybrid workforce. This position may be located at any of the NRAO facilities (Green Bank, WV; Charlottesville, VA; Albuquerque or Socorro, NM). Hybrid or remote work agreements may be considered for highly qualified applicants. What You Will be Doing This is a hands-on leadership role that requires a balance of strategic vision and operational execution. The successful candidate will be a proven change leader with experience in modernizing complex IT environments and building high-performing organizations. The duties and responsibilities for this position will include, but are not limited to: Technology Strategy & Transformation Leading transformation of IT operating model, service delivery, and technical capabilities Developing and executing IT strategy aligned with scientific and organizational priorities Driving standardization, automation, and process maturity Advising leadership on technology strategy, risk, and investment Infrastructure, Networks & Platforms Overseeing multisite infrastructure including networks, observatory connectivity, data centers, cloud, compute, and storage Ensuring reliability, scalability, performance, and security of all platforms Digital Workplace & Enterprise Services Leading end-user services including service desk, endpoint engineering, and collaboration tools Improving service quality and overall user experience Scientific Computing & HPC Overseeing HPC, GPU/compute resources, and scientific storage platforms, including evaluation and use of external or outsourced capabilities where appropriate Aligning infrastructure and service delivery-internal and external-with data-intensive scientific workflows Operational Excellence & Reliability Implementing SRE practices including SLOs, incident management, and continuous improvement Improving observability, automation, and operational efficiency People Leadership & Organizational Development Leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing IT organization Fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement Financial & Vendor Management Managing budgets, capital investments, and major initiatives Overseeing vendor relationships and supporting long-term planning Work Environment The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Who You Are: You have a Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, engineering, or related field; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree. At least 10 years experience in IT with at least five years in leadership roles, including responsibility for complex, distributed environments Demonstrated success leading large-scale IT transformation or modernization initiatives Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills across technical and non-technical audiences Preferred Experience supporting scientific, research, or high-performance computing environments Familiarity with hybrid cloud architectures, large-scale data systems, and research infrastructure Experience implementing modern IT practices such as Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) or advanced IT service management frameworks Competency Summary Transformational Leadership - Ability to lead organizational and technical change at scale Operational Excellence - Focus on reliability, performance, and measurable outcomes Strategic Thinking - Aligns technology investments with mission and long-term priorities Collaboration & Influence - Builds strong partnerships across scientific, technical, and administrative domains Execution Discipline - Drives initiatives from concept through delivery in complex environments Additional Requirement Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees' overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Salary Range, Deputy Chief Information Officer: $130,000-$230,000 Benefits AUI's benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the "Apply Now" button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20 Compensation details: 00 Yearly Salary PI2c7445e4a8-c143e31-5e48-4549-b2d185386
05/02/2026
Full time
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Deputy Chief Information Officer Location: 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA• 800 Bradbury Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA• 1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA• NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America Requisition Number: 186 Job Family: Mgmt & Senior Admin Pay Type: Salary Required Education: MGT Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a renowned and prestigious research facility that plays a crucial role in studying 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 operates various radio telescopes around the world, including the well-known Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) across North America, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced globally, enabling astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The NRAO is seeking a strategic, execution-focused Deputy Chief Information Officer to lead the Observatory's Information Technology organization through a period of significant modernization and organizational evolution. Reporting to the Assistant Director for Data Management & Software (DMS)/CIO, the Deputy CIO acts as the top IT leader responsible for operational excellence, technology transformation, and delivering dependable, scalable services across a highly distributed, data-heavy environment. This position will lead the development of IT capabilities to support next-generation radio astronomy, large-scale scientific projects, and a hybrid workforce. This position may be located at any of the NRAO facilities (Green Bank, WV; Charlottesville, VA; Albuquerque or Socorro, NM). Hybrid or remote work agreements may be considered for highly qualified applicants. What You Will be Doing This is a hands-on leadership role that requires a balance of strategic vision and operational execution. The successful candidate will be a proven change leader with experience in modernizing complex IT environments and building high-performing organizations. The duties and responsibilities for this position will include, but are not limited to: Technology Strategy & Transformation Leading transformation of IT operating model, service delivery, and technical capabilities Developing and executing IT strategy aligned with scientific and organizational priorities Driving standardization, automation, and process maturity Advising leadership on technology strategy, risk, and investment Infrastructure, Networks & Platforms Overseeing multisite infrastructure including networks, observatory connectivity, data centers, cloud, compute, and storage Ensuring reliability, scalability, performance, and security of all platforms Digital Workplace & Enterprise Services Leading end-user services including service desk, endpoint engineering, and collaboration tools Improving service quality and overall user experience Scientific Computing & HPC Overseeing HPC, GPU/compute resources, and scientific storage platforms, including evaluation and use of external or outsourced capabilities where appropriate Aligning infrastructure and service delivery-internal and external-with data-intensive scientific workflows Operational Excellence & Reliability Implementing SRE practices including SLOs, incident management, and continuous improvement Improving observability, automation, and operational efficiency People Leadership & Organizational Development Leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing IT organization Fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement Financial & Vendor Management Managing budgets, capital investments, and major initiatives Overseeing vendor relationships and supporting long-term planning Work Environment The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Who You Are: You have a Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, engineering, or related field; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree. At least 10 years experience in IT with at least five years in leadership roles, including responsibility for complex, distributed environments Demonstrated success leading large-scale IT transformation or modernization initiatives Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills across technical and non-technical audiences Preferred Experience supporting scientific, research, or high-performance computing environments Familiarity with hybrid cloud architectures, large-scale data systems, and research infrastructure Experience implementing modern IT practices such as Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) or advanced IT service management frameworks Competency Summary Transformational Leadership - Ability to lead organizational and technical change at scale Operational Excellence - Focus on reliability, performance, and measurable outcomes Strategic Thinking - Aligns technology investments with mission and long-term priorities Collaboration & Influence - Builds strong partnerships across scientific, technical, and administrative domains Execution Discipline - Drives initiatives from concept through delivery in complex environments Additional Requirement Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees' overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Salary Range, Deputy Chief Information Officer: $130,000-$230,000 Benefits AUI's benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the "Apply Now" button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20 Compensation details: 00 Yearly Salary PI2c7445e4a8-c143e31-5e48-4549-b2d185386
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Albuquerque, New Mexico
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Software Engineer III-IV Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America• 1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA• 800 Bradbury Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA Requisition Number: 193 Job Family: Software Engineer Pay Type: Salary Required Education: CPP Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) is an array of 66 radio antenna located high in the Chilean Andes. Its scientific capabilities are, by a large factor, better than any other millimeter wave radio telescope. It was commissioned in 2013 and is, to date, the largest ground-based astronomical project. ALMA is supported by a diverse team of people on four continents (North America, South America, Europe and Asia). We are seeking a Software Engineer to join the North America (NA) ALMA software development team and work jointly with our National Research Council (of Canada) collaborators and other ALMA software teams. The NA software team is responsible for the data acquisition (Control and Correlator) and Scheduling software; the EU software team is responsible for user tools such as proposal submission, project tracking, and quality assurance. We are a small, distributed team that values curiosity, diligence, and professional communication. There is potential to grow into leadership of significant software infrastructure upgrades, and to design, prototype, and install new software technologies. We operate in an environment of continuous upgrades to both ALMA and to our team's skills. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of significant software upgrades to the ALMA telescope. The potential exists to lead significant software infrastructure upgrades and tackle obsolescence by designing and prototyping new software technologies, building new user tools for astronomers and operators, and interfacing with the next generation of ALMA system-wide hardware upgrades. This position will ideally be located at NRAO facilities in Charlottesville (VA). It may be possible to work from our other facilities in Socorro (NM) or Albuquerque (NM). Fully remote work may be possible for an exceptionally qualified candidate. What You Will be Doing: The successful applicant will join the NA ALMA Correlator software team. The primary responsibility is development in modern, multi-threaded C++ and Python, testing, and integration of the Advanced Technology ALMA Correlator (ATAC). ATAC is a key project in the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) that will dramatically increase the observational capabilities of ALMA. The successful applicant will need to work with Canadian collaborators, other ALMA development organizations, and Chilean stakeholders to implement, test, integrate, and commission ATAC; coordinate with developers; conduct automated testing; deliver software to the software test team; and support integration, verification, and validation testing in Chile. A key component of the ATAC project is the IDTF (Integrated Development and Test Facility) located in Charlottesville VA. The successful applicant will play a key part of the development of the IDTF, integration testing with other projects in the signal chain, and the fielding, testing, and commissioning of ATAC. We expect this effort to be a primary focus of the ATAC team for the next three to five years. Testing is an integral part of the development process and it is expected that the applicant will write and maintain test software that will be run in an automated system. They will also help maintain the internal test systems used daily for initial testing of the software. It is expected that the successful candidate will engage in technical discussions with colleagues at remote locations to help troubleshoot problems. Communication is key when designing and maintaining large, complex systems. The successful applicant will participate in both face-to-face and virtual discussions, and in meetings and workshops where complex design decisions will be made. Close collaboration will be essential as the team maintains and improves each subsystem, component, and interface. We use Jira to organize our tasks, Confluence for offline discussions, and Slack, Zoom, and Teams for collaboration. Our new team member will utilize all these tools and more to effectively engage with their colleagues. The successful applicant will: Develop, test, and integrate the ATAC software written in C++ and Python Coordinate with FPGA and firmware developers at NRC (Canada) Contribute to the development of the IDTF by installing and configuring servers and network equipment Contribute to the operation of the IDTF by setting up and conducting integration testing with ALMA partners Proactively diagnose and troubleshoot problems found in the verification and validation of software Utilize continuous integration to automate builds and testing Participate in multi-country ALMA-wide software meetings Communicate effectively with staff at all ALMA sites Work Environment The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. May occasionally work at high altitudes. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Who You Are: You have a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, engineering, science or related field You have at least 3 years of experience in software development for level 3, or 5 years for level 4 Competency Summary Experience with modern, multi-threaded C++ development Experience with modern Python development Familiarity with Linux operating systems Understanding of object-oriented design and development Familiarity with modern servers and network equipment Experience with version control software and testing methodologies Experience debugging and profiling software systems Strong interpersonal and communications skills Experience working with peers in a distributed team Willingness to travel internationally and work at high altitude (3000 meters) if needed Preferred Experience Familiarity with basic astronomical principles, in particular interferometry, and observatory operations Ability to work with international colleagues Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees' overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. For open rank positions, the starting salary/hourly rates for each level is between: Position level 3 $79,000 and $120,000 Position level 4 $90,000 and $138,000 Benefits: AUI's benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the "Apply Now" button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20 Compensation details: 00 Yearly Salary PId712c6ce7dff-50195c143e31-5e48-4549-b2d185386
05/02/2026
Full time
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Software Engineer III-IV Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America• 1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA• 800 Bradbury Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA Requisition Number: 193 Job Family: Software Engineer Pay Type: Salary Required Education: CPP Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) is an array of 66 radio antenna located high in the Chilean Andes. Its scientific capabilities are, by a large factor, better than any other millimeter wave radio telescope. It was commissioned in 2013 and is, to date, the largest ground-based astronomical project. ALMA is supported by a diverse team of people on four continents (North America, South America, Europe and Asia). We are seeking a Software Engineer to join the North America (NA) ALMA software development team and work jointly with our National Research Council (of Canada) collaborators and other ALMA software teams. The NA software team is responsible for the data acquisition (Control and Correlator) and Scheduling software; the EU software team is responsible for user tools such as proposal submission, project tracking, and quality assurance. We are a small, distributed team that values curiosity, diligence, and professional communication. There is potential to grow into leadership of significant software infrastructure upgrades, and to design, prototype, and install new software technologies. We operate in an environment of continuous upgrades to both ALMA and to our team's skills. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of significant software upgrades to the ALMA telescope. The potential exists to lead significant software infrastructure upgrades and tackle obsolescence by designing and prototyping new software technologies, building new user tools for astronomers and operators, and interfacing with the next generation of ALMA system-wide hardware upgrades. This position will ideally be located at NRAO facilities in Charlottesville (VA). It may be possible to work from our other facilities in Socorro (NM) or Albuquerque (NM). Fully remote work may be possible for an exceptionally qualified candidate. What You Will be Doing: The successful applicant will join the NA ALMA Correlator software team. The primary responsibility is development in modern, multi-threaded C++ and Python, testing, and integration of the Advanced Technology ALMA Correlator (ATAC). ATAC is a key project in the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) that will dramatically increase the observational capabilities of ALMA. The successful applicant will need to work with Canadian collaborators, other ALMA development organizations, and Chilean stakeholders to implement, test, integrate, and commission ATAC; coordinate with developers; conduct automated testing; deliver software to the software test team; and support integration, verification, and validation testing in Chile. A key component of the ATAC project is the IDTF (Integrated Development and Test Facility) located in Charlottesville VA. The successful applicant will play a key part of the development of the IDTF, integration testing with other projects in the signal chain, and the fielding, testing, and commissioning of ATAC. We expect this effort to be a primary focus of the ATAC team for the next three to five years. Testing is an integral part of the development process and it is expected that the applicant will write and maintain test software that will be run in an automated system. They will also help maintain the internal test systems used daily for initial testing of the software. It is expected that the successful candidate will engage in technical discussions with colleagues at remote locations to help troubleshoot problems. Communication is key when designing and maintaining large, complex systems. The successful applicant will participate in both face-to-face and virtual discussions, and in meetings and workshops where complex design decisions will be made. Close collaboration will be essential as the team maintains and improves each subsystem, component, and interface. We use Jira to organize our tasks, Confluence for offline discussions, and Slack, Zoom, and Teams for collaboration. Our new team member will utilize all these tools and more to effectively engage with their colleagues. The successful applicant will: Develop, test, and integrate the ATAC software written in C++ and Python Coordinate with FPGA and firmware developers at NRC (Canada) Contribute to the development of the IDTF by installing and configuring servers and network equipment Contribute to the operation of the IDTF by setting up and conducting integration testing with ALMA partners Proactively diagnose and troubleshoot problems found in the verification and validation of software Utilize continuous integration to automate builds and testing Participate in multi-country ALMA-wide software meetings Communicate effectively with staff at all ALMA sites Work Environment The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. Must be able to operate a personal computer. May occasionally work at high altitudes. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Who You Are: You have a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, engineering, science or related field You have at least 3 years of experience in software development for level 3, or 5 years for level 4 Competency Summary Experience with modern, multi-threaded C++ development Experience with modern Python development Familiarity with Linux operating systems Understanding of object-oriented design and development Familiarity with modern servers and network equipment Experience with version control software and testing methodologies Experience debugging and profiling software systems Strong interpersonal and communications skills Experience working with peers in a distributed team Willingness to travel internationally and work at high altitude (3000 meters) if needed Preferred Experience Familiarity with basic astronomical principles, in particular interferometry, and observatory operations Ability to work with international colleagues Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees' overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. For open rank positions, the starting salary/hourly rates for each level is between: Position level 3 $79,000 and $120,000 Position level 4 $90,000 and $138,000 Benefits: AUI's benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the "Apply Now" button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20 Compensation details: 00 Yearly Salary PId712c6ce7dff-50195c143e31-5e48-4549-b2d185386
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Charlottesville, Virginia
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Systems Administrator III-IV Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America Requisition Number: 185 Job Family: Systems Administration Pay Type: Salary Required Education: CPP Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. 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 NRAO also host conferences and workshops, providing opportunities to exchange ideas and expertise as well as build partnerships. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory seeks an experienced Systems Administrator (Level III or IV, based on qualifications) to join the Science Information Services Operations Group. This senior role combines deep systems expertise with operational ownership, and direct contribution to mission-critical science delivery. The position is based in Charlottesville, VA. What You Will be Doing: Contribute to the implementation, and lifecycle management of RHEL-based systems supporting data processing and archival of science data flows. Provide support for the systems managing the scientific data flow coming from the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) in Santiago, Chile, to the North American ALMA Science Center, located at NRAO Headquarters in Charlottesville. Perform deployments of the ALMA software in our Docker environments in coordination with JAO and the other ALMA Regional Centers (ARC). Perform deployments of CASA software package. Monitor the data flow, storage capabilities and performance of the archive and pipeline systems. Develop and maintain automation tools in Python and SQL to monitor data pipeline health, generate operational metrics, and trigger reliable alerts. Provide weekly health reports. Serve as Level-3 escalation for production incidents; conduct root-cause analysis, author post-mortem reports, and implement preventive measures. Triage and resolve escalated support tickets, providing timely, astronomer-facing status communications during incidents. Participate in agile development cycles (2-week sprints, daily stand-ups, Jira/Confluence) to deliver measurable improvements in stakeholder projects. Contribute to the NRAO Common Computing Environment (CCE) initiative for cross-site standardization and knowledge transfer. Travel occasionally to NRAO sites, including the Very Large Array (VLA), Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, and international operations centers. Work Environment Work is typically performed in an office environment. The successful candidate Must be able to lift 25 lbs, climb stairs, and occasionally work at moderate altitudes (up to 7,000 ft / 2,134 m at the VLA site). Who You Are: You have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, astronomy, physics, or equivalent professional experience. You are a seasoned Linux systems administrator with at least four years of progressive responsibility in mission-critical or scientific computing environments. While not required you may have; Direct experience with high-data-rate scientific pipelines (radio astronomy, genomics, earth observation, or similar). Working knowledge of VictoriaMetrics, Ceph, SLURM, Prometheus/Grafana/Loki stacks. Familiarity with both agile (Scrum/Kanban) and traditional waterfall project methodologies. Familiarity with the Next Generation Archive System (NGAS) software is a plus. Competency Summary Strong communication skills (written and verbal); ability to remain calm while supporting demanding clients; analytical thinker; ability to learn new systems quickly. Exceptional skill in troubleshooting complex data flows. Expert in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8/9; RHCE or RHCA certification strongly preferred. Proficient in modern infrastructure automation and orchestration: Ansible Automation Platform (playbooks, collections, Execution Environments) Production container platforms (Mainly Docker Swarm. Kubernetes/OpenShift is a plus) Skilled in Python 3 automation and SQL (Oracle) for monitoring, reporting, and system health. Experienced with Telegraf, Prometheus, and alerting systems in operational settings. Experience with astronomical archive systems is an advantage. Ability to work closely coordinated with a geographically distributed team. A clear communicator capable of translating complex technical conditions into concise updates for astronomers, project leads, and senior management. Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees' overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. Salary range: $80,000 to $115,000 Benefits: AUI's benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the "Apply Now" button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20 PI801f35cfcf2c-02645c143e31-5e48-4549-b2d185386
05/02/2026
Full time
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Systems Administrator III-IV Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America Requisition Number: 185 Job Family: Systems Administration Pay Type: Salary Required Education: CPP Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. 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 NRAO also host conferences and workshops, providing opportunities to exchange ideas and expertise as well as build partnerships. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory seeks an experienced Systems Administrator (Level III or IV, based on qualifications) to join the Science Information Services Operations Group. This senior role combines deep systems expertise with operational ownership, and direct contribution to mission-critical science delivery. The position is based in Charlottesville, VA. What You Will be Doing: Contribute to the implementation, and lifecycle management of RHEL-based systems supporting data processing and archival of science data flows. Provide support for the systems managing the scientific data flow coming from the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) in Santiago, Chile, to the North American ALMA Science Center, located at NRAO Headquarters in Charlottesville. Perform deployments of the ALMA software in our Docker environments in coordination with JAO and the other ALMA Regional Centers (ARC). Perform deployments of CASA software package. Monitor the data flow, storage capabilities and performance of the archive and pipeline systems. Develop and maintain automation tools in Python and SQL to monitor data pipeline health, generate operational metrics, and trigger reliable alerts. Provide weekly health reports. Serve as Level-3 escalation for production incidents; conduct root-cause analysis, author post-mortem reports, and implement preventive measures. Triage and resolve escalated support tickets, providing timely, astronomer-facing status communications during incidents. Participate in agile development cycles (2-week sprints, daily stand-ups, Jira/Confluence) to deliver measurable improvements in stakeholder projects. Contribute to the NRAO Common Computing Environment (CCE) initiative for cross-site standardization and knowledge transfer. Travel occasionally to NRAO sites, including the Very Large Array (VLA), Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, and international operations centers. Work Environment Work is typically performed in an office environment. The successful candidate Must be able to lift 25 lbs, climb stairs, and occasionally work at moderate altitudes (up to 7,000 ft / 2,134 m at the VLA site). Who You Are: You have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, astronomy, physics, or equivalent professional experience. You are a seasoned Linux systems administrator with at least four years of progressive responsibility in mission-critical or scientific computing environments. While not required you may have; Direct experience with high-data-rate scientific pipelines (radio astronomy, genomics, earth observation, or similar). Working knowledge of VictoriaMetrics, Ceph, SLURM, Prometheus/Grafana/Loki stacks. Familiarity with both agile (Scrum/Kanban) and traditional waterfall project methodologies. Familiarity with the Next Generation Archive System (NGAS) software is a plus. Competency Summary Strong communication skills (written and verbal); ability to remain calm while supporting demanding clients; analytical thinker; ability to learn new systems quickly. Exceptional skill in troubleshooting complex data flows. Expert in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8/9; RHCE or RHCA certification strongly preferred. Proficient in modern infrastructure automation and orchestration: Ansible Automation Platform (playbooks, collections, Execution Environments) Production container platforms (Mainly Docker Swarm. Kubernetes/OpenShift is a plus) Skilled in Python 3 automation and SQL (Oracle) for monitoring, reporting, and system health. Experienced with Telegraf, Prometheus, and alerting systems in operational settings. Experience with astronomical archive systems is an advantage. Ability to work closely coordinated with a geographically distributed team. A clear communicator capable of translating complex technical conditions into concise updates for astronomers, project leads, and senior management. Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees' overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. Salary range: $80,000 to $115,000 Benefits: AUI's benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the "Apply Now" button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20 PI801f35cfcf2c-02645c143e31-5e48-4549-b2d185386