Engineering Group Lead, Information Systems

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory is an exciting and dynamic organization that is pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. Whether you are a scientist, student, or simply someone who is fascinated by the cosmos, the NRAO offers a wealth of opportunities to learn, explore, and discover.

At the NRAO, we are recruiting an Engineering Group Lead for Information Systems. This position will involve the supervision of the Instrument and Science Support working group, an integral part of the Science Information Systems (SIS) division within the broader Data Management and Software (DMS) Department of the Observatory. The focus of this working group involves all aspects of Information Systems support for the operation of the telescopes — The Jansky Very Large Array, the Green Bank Telescope, the Very Long Baseline Array — and the infrastructure needed to support the dataflow and science workflows for these and the North American ALMA Science Center.

The position is based at one of our sites: Charlottesville, Virginia (at the NRAO headquarters located on the grounds of the University of Virginia); Socorro, New Mexico (at the Science Operations Center located on the grounds of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology); Albuquerque, New Mexico (located on the grounds of the University of New Mexico); or Green Bank, West Virginia. A tele-work arrangement may be available for the well-qualified candidate.

What you will be doing:

• Leading a cross-site team of systems administrators;
• Ensuring smooth operation of science-facing authentication systems;
• Interacting with stakeholders to help prioritize, plan, manage and report on projects pertaining to science and data workflows, and the storage, high performance/throughput computing, and database/archive infrastructure that makes such workflows possible;
• Collaborating with other working groups within SIS, and work collaboratively with the Computing & Information Services division, the Network Operations division, and the Information Security Office, on relevant infrastructure and projects;
• Arrange for triage of incoming helpdesk tickets for Science Information Systems.

Work Environment

The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment. May occasionally work at high altitudes. Occasional travel to other NRAO sites will be required.

Who You Are:

• You have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, scientific or related field; highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
• While not required, you may have an advanced degree in a related field.
• You will be comfortable working on Linux and have considerable experience with Linux distribution similar to what the Observatory utilizes (Red Hat Enterprise Linux); this includes strong familiarity with the command line, and graphical environments.
• You should have some familiarity with high performance and high throughput computing.
• The concept of “infrastructure as code” should be one you have embraced or are willing to do so.
• You will understand the importance of automation, including the use of technologies such as Ansible, and advanced shell scripting (bash, python, perl, etc.)
• You will have had some experience in leading a small team of high functioning systems administrators in a technical and/or research-oriented setting.
• Finally, you will have enthusiasm for working at the leading Radio Astronomy Observatory in the world, interfacing with some of the best scientists, engineers, and software developers in the field.

Competency Summary

• High level of competency in a Linux-based environment
• Attention to detail is critical
• Highly organized
• Excellent communication skills
• Must be able to operate a personal computer
• Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Beneficial Additional Expertise

• Familiarity with observatory-level science and astronomy would be beneficial

Total Rewards:

Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. 

Benefits:

AUI’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the firstday of employment. AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply Now” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu.PM20