Software Engineer (Hanford, WA)

Company: California Institute of Technology
Location: Richland
Posted on: June 8, 2021

Job Description:

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

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Software Engineerto join its team. LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at

This position is located in Richland, WA.

Life at LIGO Hanford Observatory as a Caltech Employee

LIGO's observatory in the shrub-steppe of Eastern Washington is an approximately 20-minute commute from Richland, WA., where it is located on the edge of the Department of Energy Hanford Site.Caltech employs a staff of 49 at the Hanford observatory. Caltech has an extraordinary science impact across many fields. Its small size creates a community where innovation and collaboration are the norm. Caltech manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA, the leading US center for the robotic exploration of the Solar System. Caltech also operates large-scale research facilities such as the Palomar and Keck Observatories.

The Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco) is a rapidly developing community set in the heart of wine-country in southeast Washington state, where the Columbia, Yakima, and Snake rivers meet. The rivers and nearby Cascade and Blue mountain ranges provide ample outdoor recreation opportunities from water-skiing to fishing to hiking. The region is known for its contributions to science and technology in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the DOE Hanford Site.

People choose to work at LIGO for many reasons, often with fulfilling, long-term careers. LIGO is a family-friendly laboratory and strives to ensure everyone is able to achieve the work-life balance they desire. Employees have access to a wide range of benefits including a child-care assistance program.Caltech's benefits program offers a quality, competitive benefits package that is affordable for you and the Institute. The program provides a strong base of coverage for you and your dependents, and the ability to choose the plan and the level of coverage that best meet your needs. We also offer a 403(b) defined contribution plan to eligible staff as well as a Voluntary Retirement Savings (TDA) Plan.

Caltech HR diversity page:

Caltech and LIGO Laboratory's goal is to build a world-class, diverse workforce and support an inclusive environment that encourages professional development and offers top-notch benefits. Our talented staff, who work at the Caltech campus, or one of our Observatories, come from a variety of fields. Positions include scientists, engineers, information technology staff, outreach professionals, managers, writers, business professionals, and administrative staff. We are deeply committed to encouraging people of all backgrounds to apply for these opportunities. Our experience has demonstrated that the broader the styles, characteristics, backgrounds, and abilities of our staff-in other words, the more diverse our team is-the greater potential we have for success. Caltech is an equal opportunity employer.

LIGO Laboratory is committed to being a welcoming place for everyone regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

Job Duties

The Software Engineer will develop and maintain software as a member of the LIGO Control and Data Systems (CDS) team, in support of commissioning and scientific operation of the LIGO detectors. The primary responsibilities of this team are software support for:

Data acquisition and storage

Real-time control applications

Network data services

Interactive control room tools for operator interfaces and data visualization

As a member of the CDS software group, the tasks of this position will primarily involve (80-90%) design and development of CDS software. This requires proficiency in C/C++ and Python programming languages on Linux operating system computers.

Additional duties include:

Software documentation and test

Responsible for working in a team environment and being able to communicate with people who have a broad spectrum of backgrounds, skills, and educational preparation.

Provide support services for CDS software end users.

Software maintenance.

Basic Qualifications

B.S. degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or another related field or equivalent experience.

5+ years of computer software development experience for computer systems running the Linux operating system (experience can be from industry, research environment, M.S. degree, or a combination of these).

Thorough knowledge of and experienced with, Python, C/C++ programming languages and modern software management practices (e.g. git, gitlab/github, continuous integration, etc.).

Must be able to work effectively with cross-disciplinary teams, both in support and leadership positions; includes the ability to take direction, work independently, and work in a team environment.

Must be able to work non-standard work week as required to support project deliverables/schedule.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related fields

Experience in software development for control and data acquisition systems, including Linux kernel device drivers

Experience with the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control Systems (EPICS) software

Experience with network and concurrent programming

Experience working in a large project R&D environment

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at .

Caltech is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and will, whenever possible, actively recruit and include for employment members of underrepresented minority groups, females, disabled veterans, protected veterans, and otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Caltech will hire, transfer, and promote based on the qualifications of the individual to ensure equal consideration and fair treatment of all.

Keywords: California Institute of Technology, Richland , Software Engineer (Hanford, WA), Other , Richland, Washington