Scientific Database Team Manager - #0002017

Bring your passion for what you do and join the Data Management Division (DMD) team at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). STScI is the science operations center for several NASA missions. The DMD is responsible for a multi-petabyte astronomical data archive, the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescope (MAST), which maintains the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Kepler, GALEX, and TESS mission data. It will maintain mission data for the future James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launching in 2021 and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman), launching in the mid-2020s. You will work with a team that is passionate about the work they do in support of astronomers around the world.

THE CATALOG SCIENCE BRANCH TEAM (CSB)

STScI is looking for a CSB Team Manager to provide leadership, supervision, technical direction, and mentorship of a diverse team of software engineers, database engineers, test engineers, and astronomers.  We are looking for a strong background in science database design and staff management, with a preference for an understanding of astronomy.

The CSB is responsible for the development, design, support and operational maintenance of astronomical catalogs, high-level science products (HLSPs), and the Common Archive Observation Model (CAOM). HLSPs are observations, catalogs, and models that complement, or are derived from, the missions supported by MAST. CAOM provides a unified model for observation metadata for missions. Our software applications include rich search interfaces, web-based visualization tools, and data APIs. These tools enable scientists in the astronomy community to extract maximal science from the observations taken by these missions and they are widely used by the community.

CATALOG SCIENCE BRANCH MANAGER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the branch team of software engineers, database engineers, test engineers, and astronomers working in an agile environment
• Evolve tools to meet the current future data needs of the astronomical community
• Translate scientific needs into software requirements
• Provide project management including coordination, detailed planning, and progress reporting
• Provide functional management including recruitment, mentorship, and career development.
• Establishing goals and track expected results to completion.
• Develop, maintain, and support continuous improvement activities.
• Support a broad community of science users.

QUALIFICATIONS & JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• BS/BA in Engineering, Computer Science, Astronomy, Physics, or a related scientific or technical field
• 10+ years of progressive technical, management, and leadership experience including team leadership
• Demonstrated Cloud software architecture and software development expertise
• Demonstrated highly effective communication skills
• Demonstrated experience managing staff developing and supporting a large complex system including large databases.
• Software engineering experience including agile techniques
• Demonstrated experience with modern software techniques such as automated testing, Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD).
• Good working knowledge of code versioning tools such as git
• Experience with data models
• Experience understanding and managing customers’ needs and expectations
• Demonstrated project management experience
• US citizen or Permanent Resident

BENEFICIAL SKILLS:

• MS/MA or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Astronomy, Physics, or a related scientific or technical field
• Knowledge of astronomy
• Familiarity with Web Services (RESTful APIs, etc.)
• Experience with working to accessibility and security compliance standards
• Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Experience with Jupyter Notebooks

TO APPLY: This position is available immediately. Please upload one cover letter and resume on one PDF document for review. Relocation assistance may be available. Applications received by February 21, 2021 will receive full consideration. Applications received after this date will be considered until the position is filled.

STScI has most staff working virtually from home during the COVID-19 crisis. The safety of our staff and community is our top priority. We will continue to interview and screen candidates in this new virtual landscape. Offers of employment can be extended and new hires will on-board virtually. We will then ship systems to you to enable working from home until it is safe to report to our Baltimore offices. If applicable, relocation benefits will be available to those eligible when travel can be supported but employees are required to be resident in the Baltimore-Washington area.

AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, is committed to diversity and inclusion. AURA develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the workforce. Learn more at www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity.asp

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA and all of the centers, do not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our record keeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.

STScI sees the diversity of our staff as a strategic priority in our desire to create a first-rate scientific community. We reflect that deep commitment in strongly encouraging women, minorities, veterans and disabled individuals to apply for these opportunities.

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at [email protected]. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V