Observatory and Instrumentation Software Engineer

NOTE: This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with 4 days on campus and 1 day remote per week.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 12-09-2026

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 (UC), 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 and administrative interface to the Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i, and the Thirty-Meter Telescope international project, and supports the training of astronomy Ph.D.'s throughout the UC system. State-of-the-art astronomical instruments and observatories are key to the future of UC Observatories.

The UCO software group supports the design of new instruments, the upgrading of Lick Observatory and Keck Observatory instrument systems, as well as the continuous improvement of the software systems operating at the Lick Observatory.

The Keck partnership includes working in collaboration with our partners at Caltech and across UC to design new instrument concepts, to develop, fabricate, integrate and test new instruments and subsystems, and work with Keck to diagnose, repair and improve existing instruments.

The Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton has several active research 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 at: https://www.ucobservatories.org/

JOB SUMMARY

The University of California Observatories (UCO) Observatory and Instrumentation Software Engineer supports and develops software for astronomical instruments and observatories. UCO Software Engineers enthusiastically face the challenges at research observatories through hands-on work on all phases of a project: requirements development, concept design, code implementation, system integration, testing, troubleshooting, performance monitoring and upgrades. The software engineering group works on a broad range of complex technical challenges supporting one-of-a kind-systems. Areas of focus include adaptive optics, precision motion control of electronic, optical and mechanical systems, detector evaluation and optimization, acquisition and analysis of test and scientific data, automated telescope scheduling and operations, data archiving, observatory environment control and monitoring, and development of user interfaces.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $135,000 - $175,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

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: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: TX - Technical

Job Code Classification: 004899 (RSCH AND DEV ENGR 4 TX)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - Observatory Support

• Leads software engineering for the software systems operating the scientific instruments, telescopes and related subsystems of UC Observatories, which includes instruments at Keck
• Observatory and the operation of the instruments, telescopes and scientific facilities at Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton.
• Works with the observatory staff and UCO engineering group to improve the acquisition, archiving, and usability of information used in operations.
• Assists with and coordinates troubleshooting of observatory systems as the primary point of contact for the UCO software group.
• Works with the observatory staff and engineering group to propose, design and implement software to monitor data quality, instruments, and observatory subsystems to improve scientific productivity and operational robustness.
• Occasionally works on site at observatories in Hawaii and California during instrument integration and commissioning. Travels to and works at partner institutions during assembly and integration.

20% - Software Development for New Astronomical Instruments and Related Systems

• Designs and implements software and associated computing and networking required to control and operate astronomical instruments and observatory systems.

20% - Common Code Base Management

• Maintains, improves and modernizes the software tools, common code base, and deployment environment in current operations and for use in new projects.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Demonstrated experience in software system design, implementation, testing, and debugging.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students in a research environment to address open-ended problems with few or changing requirements to forward the ultimate research goal.
• Demonstrated experience with Python programming language.
• Demonstrated ability to generate clear and concise technical documents and presentations, including internal reports, external design review documentation, and journal publications.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in a collaborative manner with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.
• Advanced communication skills to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong creativity and problem solving abilities.
• Experience with telescopes and/or astronomical instrumentation, or functionally similar systems.
• Experience supporting operating software with a staff and user community in a research environment like an observatory or similar facility.
• Experience working on a distributed team, possibly in different time zones, using distributed work platforms such as wikis, Zoom, Slack, SharePoint, Google and Atlassian products, etc.
• Experience evaluating the performance of a software system, summarizing that information, presenting to users and other consumers of that information, and monitoring performance over time.
• Experience with networking, operating systems and other computing infrastructure used in a research software environment.
• Experience with software development tools in standard use.
• Experience with the Linux operating system.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with C and C++.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work on site at telescope locations (including Maunakea, Hawai'i) in cold and difficult conditions.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.