Senior Laboratory Associate in Software Engineering

Role Overview

The Urban Systems Lab seeks a Senior Laboratory Associate in Software Engineering to help advance the design and development of research-driven digital tools such as ClimateIQ, an AI-driven climate risk platform supported by Google.org, in support of urban resilience and adaptation in cities across the world.

The ideal candidate will have experience across the stack – from backend services and data pipelines to the translation of design mocks into frontend infrastructure – and interest in building reliable, scalable systems that turn complex climate research into actionable insights.

The associate will work as part of a small and nimble team focused on software development, developer operations, and testing, especially for cloud-based tools like Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to support maintenance, configuration, and deployment of tech stacks. They will also assist with the design, configuration, and maintenance of the geospatial infrastructure and cloud resources necessary to reliably host, run, and support ClimateIQ and other projects in the Lab.

A core function of this role will be to assist with the design and development of public-facing digital tools and interfaces. The Urban Systems Lab collaborates with researchers, policymakers, designers, and communities to co-create data-driven tools, research, and transformative strategies that strengthen science communication and enhance decision-making. The associate will contribute to those efforts by developing user-centered frontend software using advanced techniques and web frameworks.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in cross-disciplinary environments, has experience with geospatial data, and is motivated to build production software that directly supports research and engagement related to climate resilience. The Urban Systems Lab encourages applications from motivated creative thinkers with a high level of comfort developing prototypes and communicating trade-offs with non-technical teammates.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter, as well as links to work samples, portfolio, and/or code repository.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, maintenance, and improvement of technical stacks, including backend (Node.js, Express/NestJS), frontend (Next/Nuxtjs, React/Vue, Mapbox GL JS, Deck.gl), and infrastructure (GCP, Cloud Run, Redis, Firebase).
• Work with UI/UX designer and other software engineers to translate user experience research and designs into digital products.
• Help to implement data transformation and spatial interpolation for aggregation and disaggregation pipelines to enhance the functionality and user experience of the ClimateIQ software platform, among others.
• Manage the version control & portability of the lab's relevant applications, as well as the stability of their deployments, via tools such as Git, Docker, and Kubernetes
• Ensure application performance monitoring, infrastructure stability, and timely maintenance/upgrades.
• Maintain relevant documentation on technical systems, their installation, deployment, management, etc.
• Stay abreast of advancements in geospatial technology, software engineering, and climate modeling to inform ongoing development efforts.
• Other support tasks, as needed.

This position is based in New York and the selected candidate will be expected to work onsite as of their effective start date.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $75,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree or equivalent experience in Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Software engineering experience (Python required; familiarity with FastAPI, Node.js, or similar backend frameworks).
• Experience with cloud computing platforms, including GCP, as well as HPC environments.
• Demonstrated experience with data analysis and visualization, including with geospatial data and tools (e.g., Mapbox, Leaflet, deck.gl, ArcGIS APIs).
• Experience translating user experience research and design mocks into features.
• Familiarity with frontend UI component libraries (e.g., MUI, Carbon Components).
• Strong prototyping and iteration skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master?s degree or equivalent experience in Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Familiarity with climate and environmental datasets.
• Familiarity with geospatial data processing (raster and vector) and spatial analysis workflows.
• Familiarity with machine learning and statistical modeling.
• Excellent visual design, data visualization and storytelling skills, with a commitment to accessibility and clarity.
• Experience with mobile-first and low-end web/app development
• Experience with scientific publication.