Software Engineer, II - HRC0016263

About the Role

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is NASA's science operations center for missions including the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. We are seeking a Junior Data Engineer to join our Data Management Division. In this role, you will help build and support the backend data infrastructure that powers the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST)—one of the world's most advanced astronomical public data archives. MAST provides reliable access to scientific data from missions including HST, JWST, Roman, and TESS. This position can support hybrid work (around twice a quarter, in the office). Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to our local market (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC & WV). This position requires US Citizenship or Permanent Residence to meet ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist in building, maintaining, monitoring, and troubleshooting data pipelines using Apache Airflow to process, transform, and load large-scale datasets.
• Support PostgreSQL and MPP platform operations, including performance monitoring and routine maintenance.
• Help build and improve data systems that support scientific research, including relational databases and cloud-based Lakehouse architectures.
• Monitor data quality, reliability, and system health through logging, alerting, and operational best practices.
• Collaborate with senior data engineers, scientists, and cross-functional teams to understand requirements and implement scalable data solutions.
• Participate in testing, documentation, and continuous improvement of data engineering processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 3-7 years of experience in data engineering, software engineering, data analytics, or a related technical role. Internship, research, academic, or personal project experience is encouraged.
• Strong problem-solving skills, willingness to learn, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of PostgreSQL or other relational databases.
• Familiarity with Apache Airflow or an eagerness to learn workflow orchestration tools.
• Experience with Python programming and SQL.
• Exposure to AWS cloud services through coursework, internships, personal projects, or professional experience.
• Understanding of ETL/ELT concepts and data pipeline fundamentals.
• Familiarity with Git and software development best practices.

Opportunities for Growth

• Designing and optimizing production-scale data pipelines and distributed data systems.
• Working with advanced technologies such as Trino, Apache Iceberg, Greenplum, and modern Lakehouse architectures.
• Developing expertise in AWS cloud services, PostgreSQL performance tuning, distributed query engines, and large-scale scientific data processing.
• Taking ownership of increasingly complex data engineering projects while being mentored by experienced engineers.

Benefits

• Employer retirement contribution – direct STScI contribution of 10% of your salary from your first day
• 12 days sick leave, up to 24 days' vacation, and 10 paid holidays
• Flexible work schedule with healthy work/life balance
• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision/prescription plans, and more!