Oceanographic Data Systems Specialist

Job Summary

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking an Oceanographic Data Systems Specialist. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for benefits.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

85%: Lead end-to-end design and delivery of data systems and cloud cybersecurity efforts to support scientific oceanographic research. Architect and operate AWS pipelines and Knowledge Graph solutions ensuring observability, reliability, and performance to enable statistical analysis of datasets specific to ocean sciences. Apply numerical methods, AI, and machine learning to large experimental datasets. Build storage and data-access layers that run on AWS S3 and S3-compatible object stores (MinIO, VAST). Lead migrations of large datasets to S3 and adapt applications to multiple database backends (RDBMS /NoSQL/Triple Stores).

10%: Enforce data governance, metadata, and modern SDLC standards such as ISO19115-2 NOAA Profile. Apply program management practices like Agile/Scrum to align scope, schedule, and stakeholders from planning through delivery. Support team collaboration and contribute to continuous improvement.

5%: Troubleshoot complex issues while implementing durable fixes.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Master's degree in computer science or a closely related field and five (5) years of experience in an occupation in software engineering

• Four (4) years of post-baccalaureate software engineering experience in an IS function within an oceanographic research organization.
• Four (4) years of scientific programming experience using Python, GoLang, and Typescript to extract metadata from a wide range of data formats (e.g. NetCDF, HDF5, Zarr, GeoTIFF, ODV) as well as images, text, and video at large scale.
• Building and operating cutting-edge, production-grade solutions for large-scale scientific computing and data management with high availability, security, and cost efficiency on AWS services, databases (RDBMS, NoSQL, and Columnar Arrow-based), Docker, and Linux.
• Application of modern SDLC best practices in a scientific research environment including requirements /design reviews; Git-based workflows; code reviews; automated testing (unit /integration/e2e); CI/CD; reproducible builds; infrastructure as code (e.g., CloudFormation /Terraform); observability (logging /metrics/tracing); and secure development (secrets management, least privilege).
• Demonstrated knowledge of GitHub, Jenkins, CircleCI, Pulumi, and Terraform.

Years of experience may run concurrently. Telecommuting permitted.

Wage: $107,058 - $131,049 per year. Hours: 40 hours per week.

Actual level placement and compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity and market conditions. In addition to base salary, eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package.

Place of Employment: 266 Woods Hole Road, MS#15, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Please send resume to Careers@WHOI.edu and reference job ID Job#15147W.