Space Research Software Engineer

The Open University – School of Physical Sciences

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 March 2027

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About the Role

The Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) is a research centre based within the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University. The CEI is a collaboration between the Open University and Teledyne e2v, a world-leading manufacturer of scientific and industrial image sensors. The Centre is dedicated to conducting research into advanced imaging technologies for science applications and conducts its research in collaboration with many universities, agencies and companies including the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency (ESA), NASA and Teledyne e2v.

The CEI is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and talented Software Engineer to work on the development, test and verification of data capture and analysis software algorithms, which will interface with the camera systems which are being developed across a range of existing and new projects. A major task for the successful candidate will be to maintain and implement new functionality for the trap pumping analysis and modelling algorithm for ESA’s Euclid mission, which was launched in mid-2023, alongside supporting a wide range of ESA space mission development work across a number of different missions, such as Athena and SMILE.

Trap pumping is a detector calibration technique developed at the CEI which has been implemented as part of the daily in-orbit calibration routines for the Euclid VIS instrument. The algorithm is be part of a large data analysis pipeline for all the Euclid data and has been incorporated into the Euclid python coding environment and maintained by a large consortium as part of the Euclid Science Ground Segment (SGS). It is therefore important that the candidate has excellent collaborative skills, can work with both engineers and scientists in a flexible and agile manner.

The role holder will also attend regular project meetings and conferences, deliver progress reports and interface with team members and external scientists and engineers from the University of Durham, Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), ESA and the UK Space Agency.

The group is also involved in radiation environment simulations for future space missions and is developing tools and pipelines for this work. Any knowledge of Monte Carlo codes, such as Geant4, FLUKA and MCNP and/or experience with radiation software such as SPENVIS, FASTRAD etc, would be advantageous to help support the current work. Also, FPGA programming and/or Machine Learning to support future work would be advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop new functionality for the trap pumping analysis algorithm and simulation code that is part of the Euclid SGS calibration pipeline
• Work closely with the CEI Project Teams to ensure the progress of work adheres to any programmatic timescales and report problems and non-compliances to the Project Team
• Attend regular Project meetings, workshops and conferences. Report progress verbally and in written form
• Support external collaborators (e.g. Durham Uni, MSSL, ESA) as directed by the Project Lead
• Promote knowledge and technology exchange with Teledyne e2v and other project collaborators and contribute to the wider research activities of the CEI, where required.

About You

Essential:

• A BSc in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related subject.
• Good understanding of and demonstrable experience in writing bespoke data acquisition and data analysis code and/or software algorithms with a focus on interfacing with test systems and automation of test measurements
• Demonstrable proficiency in coding in Python (numpy, scipy, matplotlib)
• Experience with other programming languages such as MATLAB, C/C++, or similar
• Experience with version controls systems (e.g. git, svn, cvs)
• Ability work across multiple operating systems Windows, MacOS, Linux
• Knowledge of software development best practices e.g. code reviews, agile
• Good problem solving and analytical skills, demonstrated logical and rigorous approach to work
• Ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.

Desirable:

• A PhD in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related subject.
• Knowledge of DevOps and experience with CI/CD e.g. Gitlab pipelines, Github workflows, Jenkins
• Experience with containers e.g. Docker
• Scientific software development experience
• Ability to learn quickly and undertake bespoke research as required
• Experience with high performance computing environments, GPUs and computing clusters
• Experience with CCD and/or CMOS imaging sensors
• Experience with X-ray and optical testing of imaging sensors
• Knowledge or some experience in Astronomy/Space Science or applications of high-performance imaging sensors
• Electronics experience in fields related to CCD and CMOS imagers, including analogue and digital practice, plus data acquisition
• Experience in the formation of simulation software to model physical effects and form
• Experience with FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog or HLS).
• Experience developing Machine Learning pipelines and models (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

Although this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office, we are able to offer a hybrid working arrangement with the understanding that the successful candidate will be required to work from campus once per month on average.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place via MS Teams W/C 16th March.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4. It should outline why you are interested in the role and provide examples of how your skills and expereince meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above)

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