Earth Science Software Engineer (ES4)

Responsibilities

• Design, automate, and maintain the data processing and software systems that allow critical Earth observation and meteorological data to flow from NASA satellites to real-time decision-makers.
• Optimize Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) for SPoRT's real-time weather research.
• Build out Python/GIS automation for the new AWS-based Disasters Portal.
• Develop and automate robust Python-based data processing pipelines for the ingestion, formatting, and metadata curation of real-time satellite feeds and high-volume geospatial datasets.
• Standardize GIS Workflows: Partner with NASA Earthdata GIS to design and automate GIS-based data dissemination protocols, web services, and SpatioTemporal Asset Catalogs (STAC).
• Support the implementation, optimization, and scaling of scientific code and atmospheric models developed by researchers, ensuring they are stable and performing as intended in production.
• Streamline Delivery: Utilize containerization and automated workflows to transition research code from local developer workstations into reliable, cloud-native operational architectures.
• Build and maintain software for real-time data visualization and web applications that convey critical weather products and hazards data to the public and stakeholders.
• Contribute technical expertise to building out data handling solutions that feed directly into the new AWS-based Disasters Portal, maximizing data accessibility and responsiveness.
• Create clear documentation, including intuitive Jupyter Notebooks, for internal team reference, system architecture, and curated training modules for external stakeholders.
• Actively engage with NASA scientists, engineers, and external end-users (such as the National Weather Service) to align software capabilities with evolving research and operational needs.

Requirements

• Education: Degree in Earth Science, Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Remote Sensing or a related technical field from an ABET-accredited university. 10+ years’ experience with a Bachelor’s degree. 8+ years’ experience with a Master’s degree.
• Desired Technical Experience: Python Proficiency, GIS Automation, Version Control & Workflows, Linux Environment, Cloud & Infrastructure, Containerization, Front-End Development.

Qualifications

• Note: A candidate must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Skills

• Python Proficiency: Extensive experience with Python for data processing and automation, including the scientific stack (Pandas, NumPy, Dask).
• GIS Automation: Deep understanding of OGC web service standards (WMS, WFS, WMTS) and experience programmatically automating service delivery using large scale remotely sensed data.
• Version Control & Workflows: Strong command of Git/GitHub, branching strategies, and collaborative code reviews.
• Linux Environment: Solid experience with the Linux command line and shell scripting (Bash) for navigating research environments.
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Experience deploying applications in AWS environments and utilizing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation).
• Containerization: Experience using Docker or Singularity to containerize data pipelines and scientific software.
• Front-End Development: Ability to create user interfaces for web apps (familiarity with React or the NASA Horizon standard is a major plus).

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retailment benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Pay

Compensation details: ES4. The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.