Application Developer

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Job Summary

IPAC at Caltech has an opening for an Applications Developer to participate in the Euclid mission. IPAC, part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech (www.caltech.edu), provides science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to maximize discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground. 

Euclid is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission to study the geometry and nature of the dark Universe, slated for launch in 2022. NASA has established the Euclid NASA Science Center at IPAC (ENSCI) in order to support US-based investigations using Euclid data. ENSCI participates in the Euclid Consortium’s Science Ground Segment, providing algorithm and software development, participating in data quality assurance, and performing data processing. In addition, ENSCI will support the US research community by providing expert insight into the Euclid surveys, data processing, calibration, and products. For more details, see http://euclid.caltech.edu.  

As an Application Developer, you will work with the ENSCI team to develop and test algorithms, write original production-quality code for pipeline processing and simulating science data for pipeline validation. You will also document your designs and software, and participate in meetings with the Euclid Consortium via telecon and videocon. Occasional travel to Euclid meetings in Europe is also possible once travel becomes routine again.

Basic Qualifications

If you have the following in your background, then we want to hear about your interest in joining our team:

• Bachelors or equivalent degree in a technical subject such as Astronomy, Physics, Math, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Sciences, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience as a software developer using Python and c/c++. In many cases, this can include experience obtained concurrent with your academic work.
• Familiarity with software configuration management principles and tools, source code version control (e.g., git/GitHub) and issue/bug tracking systems (e.g., Jira).

Preferred Qualifications

Beyond these basic qualifications, there are a set of skills and experiences which will add to your ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities of an IPAC Applications Developer. The following might give you a head-start here, but even if these do not describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you:

• Advanced degree in Astronomy, Physics, Math, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Sciences or related field.
• Experience working with scientific data sets and use cases.
• Experience developing software for astronomical data analysis.

Since ENSCI is part of an international collaboration, it’s important that you have good written and verbal communication skills, and are comfortable working in a distributed development environment.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Short Cover Letter

Deadline and Start Date

Applications received by Dec 1, 2021 will receive full consideration. The position is intended to start early in 2022. While an initial short-term remote work period may be considered, this position is an on-site role in Pasadena, California. Applications accepted via the Caltech website only. 

People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and the casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and positive relationships. Caltech’s benefits program offers a quality, competitive benefits package that is affordable for you and the Institute. We also offer a 403(b) defined contribution plan to eligible staff as well as a Voluntary Retirement Savings (TDA) Plan. IPAC staff have access to the Institute’s facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership.

COVID-19 Vaccine Required for All Employees

Caltech has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective October 15, 2021, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees (with Institute-approved exemptions for religious or medical contraindications only). At present, an individual is deemed “fully vaccinated” when that person has received, at least 14 days prior, either the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). As a condition of employment, employees must submit official COVID-19 vaccine documentation. More information may be found here.

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 [email protected].