Software Engineer

This position is being filled at either the Software Engineer or Senior Software Engineer level. Applicants are encouraged to apply to both job postings. See job numbers 36761 and 36762. To apply for the Senior Software Engineer, visit this link.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

NOTIFICATIONS

UC Vaccination Policy: With limited exceptions, COVID-19 vaccinations are required for Covered Individuals under the Policy. Covered Individuals include all employees, students, or trainees who physically access a University facility or program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training.

Covered Individuals do NOT include employees who work 100% remotely with NO expectation that they will physically access any University location or program at ANY time. If 100% remote work ends, the employee is subject to policy.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz staff jobs are posted until filled. Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. NOTE: Materials submitted after the IRD will be forwarded only at the request of the hiring unit. Submit your materials before the IRD to ensure consideration by the hiring unit.

The IRD for this job is: 06-30-2022

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit of the University of California, with headquarters at the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of astronomers on eight UC campuses and two national laboratories and is comprised of extensive technical facilities, a business office, and telescope and support facilities at the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. UCO provides UC's scientific, technical, and administrative interface to the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, and the Thirty Meter Telescope international project. It also supports training of astronomy Ph.D.'s and post-docs throughout the UC system, and in TMT's partner nations.

The UCO engineering staff supports the design of new instruments, the upgrading of Lick Observatory and Keck Observatory instruments systems, as well as the continuous improvement and maintenance of Lick Observatory infrastructure.

The Keck partnership includes working in collaboration with our partners at Caltech and across UC to design new instrument concepts, develop, fabricate, and integrate and test new instruments and subsystems, and work with Keck to diagnose and repair existing instruments. Any new software engineer can expect to work closely with Keck Observatory staff and our collaborators on all aspects of new and existing instrument development.

The Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton has several active telescopes that are operated and maintained by the UCO team. Systems maintenance, upgrades and enhancements, and troubleshooting the operational facilities are important elements of the support provided by the software team at UCO.

More information can be found here:

ucobservatories.org

JOB SUMMARY

The UC Observatories (UCO) Software Engineer works under general supervision from the UCO software group to aid in designing and building the next generation of ground-breaking instruments for astronomy on some of the world's largest telescopes. Our software engineering group works on a range of technical challenges on one of a kind projects: adaptive optics, precision motion control, alignment of large, powerful optics, vacuum-cryogenic systems and more. UC Observatories Software Engineers enthusiastically face the challenges of research implementation through hands-on work on design, implementation, and maintenance of software systems at UCO.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Salary Information: Salary Range: $83,000 - $110,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

No. of Positions: 1

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: This is a Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 007119 (RSCH AND DEV ENGR 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

50% -

• Under general supervision, designs, implements, and documents software for monitor and control of Observatory systems. Participates in internal and external design reviews.

25% -

• Maintains and upgrades existing instrument software systems in use at Lick Observatory and Keck Observatory.

15% -

• Supports ancillary systems such as Observatory data archives or web interfaces.

10% -

• Assists in configuring and managing control system hosts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Demonstrated experience with Python programming language.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work in a collaborative manner with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.
• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of C or C++ programming language.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to generate clear and concise technical documents and presentations, including internal reports, and external design review documentation.
• Experience with real time programming and control.
• Experience developing graphical user interfaces.
• Knowledge of servo control systems such as Galil or Delta Tau.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to occasionally travel domestically and internationally, including travel to Lick Observatory (Mount Hamilton, CA) and Keck Observatory (Mauna Kea, Hawaii).
• Ability to work on site at telescope locations (including Mauna Kea, Hawaii) in cold and difficult conditions.
• The University of California has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

HOW TO APPLY

Attach your resume and cover letter when applying for this job opening. Do not attach any documents to 'My Activities'. Visit our How to Apply tutorial for detailed instructions on our applicant process.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.