Assistant Software Engineer

Position Description

Software Engineer

Job Category
Fulltime Regular

ExemptOvertimeEligible
Exempt

Benefits Eligible
Benefit Based

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Caltech Optical Observatories (COO) is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the position of Assistant Software Engineer within its Optical and Infrared (OIR) Instrumentation Group. The OIR Group develops world-class visible and infrared astronomical adaptive optics systems, imaging cameras, and spectrographs for the Palomar, Keck, and Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatories, as well as other astronomical facilities and flight missions in support of Caltech faculty and student astrophysics research.

Applicants are expected to have a demonstrated record of successfully contributing to developing software for sophisticated astronomical, experimental physics, or commercial opto-electromechanical instrumentation.

The successful candidate will possess software knowledge spanning multiple applications and development models. They will be open to learning about scientific and industry trends, are expected to gain knowledge of Caltech research and business operations and effectively work in close collaboration with the Software Group Lead and Associate Director for Instrumentation Development, the Caltech faculty, and peer-group managers delivering an ambitious portfolio of leading-edge instrumentation.

The position is based at the Caltech campus and requires routine presence on campus, with occasional travel and work at high altitudes (up to 14,000 ft.), including both daytime and occasional nighttime schedules, in low-light level conditions.

Essential Job Duties

The successful Assistant Software Engineer will:

• Assist in the development of data reduction pipelines for new and existing instruments.
• Assist in the execution of software development, including customer interfacing, requirements engineering, configuration management, unit and regression testing, deployment, and ongoing software maintenance.
• Interact regularly and effectively with senior software engineers, internal and external project managers, senior engineering staff, supervisors of complementary discipline groups, faculty, students, and administrative professionals.
• Maintain a safe and supportive working environment.
• Work collaboratively and supportively in team environments, sharing software development responsibilities and contributing toward software team objectives.
• Be aware of and remain in compliance with Institute policies, procedures, practices, and regulatory requirements.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Demonstrate Customer Focus: Demonstrate a concern for the needs and expectations of customers (internal or external); focus efforts on identifying and meeting the needs of customers; use an understanding of customer needs as the basis for decision-making and organizational action; build strong relationships of trust with customers.
• Make Good Decisions: Apply logic and practical thinking to decision making; gather necessary input and data from multiple sources to inform decisions and make decisions based on one’s best thinking given time available; draw correct and reasonable conclusions based on data and information; make decisions in a timely manner regardless of pressure or uncertainty; make decisions quickly when called to do so; consider financial impact of decisions.
• Plan / Organize: Determine objectives and strategies required to deliver results; allocate resources according to organizational priorities; determine how to use resources efficiently to accomplish a task or project; consider the financial impact of decisions.
• Demonstrate Technical Knowledge and Skills: Apply technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keep up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
• Build Trusting Partnerships: Develop and leverage collaborative relationships based on mutual trust to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals; work cooperatively with stakeholders to identify and meet mutual goals.
• Clearly Communicate: Clearly and succinctly convey information and ideas to individuals and groups; shape communication to the needs of the audience; convey ideas and opinions clearly to others; share relevant information and expectations openly, honestly, and in a timely fashion; listen attentively to others.
• Actively Learn: Demonstrate zeal for new information, knowledge, and experiences; regularly seek and capitalize on learning opportunities; quickly assimilate and apply new information.
• Demonstrate Agility / Flexibility: Be open to changing conditions; adjust one’s own behavior in light of changing conditions; adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering Physics or a related field.
• Experience working with astronomical research instrumentation.
• Expertise in software engineering processes, including requirements capture, software architecture, quality assurance, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Familiarity with modern programming notations (e.g., Python, C++) and development methodologies prevalent in the astronomical, physics, or research engineering communities.
• Enthusiasm to make impactful contributions, individually and within instrumentation teams, to human knowledge and understanding
• Good written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with technical peers.
• Good analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual skills, with an ability to express complex technical concepts to non-experts.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Astrophysics and 2-years’ experience, or equivalent.
• Strong record of successful delivery of research instrumentation.
• National and international recognition for experimental research or instrumentation leadership.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$80,000 - $112,700 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.