NSF Unidata THREDDS Lead

Job Description Summary:

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the NSF Unidata THREDDS Lead role. Serving as the technical lead for the THREDDS project (Thematic Real-time Environmental Distributed Data Services) which includes the netCDF-Java library and the THREDDS Data Server (TDS), this position will act as the chief architect for the TDS and netCDF-java library, evolving them to ensure their continued relevance to NSF Unidata's community. This work will include expanding cloud support with formats like Zarr and object-based storage, assisting with managing production deployments of the TDS across a variety of deployment environments, including on premises, commercial cloud, and NSF Unidata's Science Gateway on Jetstream 2. The NSF Unidata THREDDS project requires close coordination with the NSF Unidata IDV group and close collaboration with an international community.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Job Location: Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term: Full time, Regular

Compensation Range: $135,532 - $169,415

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.*

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59pm MT, Friday, October 11. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):

• Resume
• Questionnaire (to be completed within the application) - You will be asked to describe your knowledge, skills, and expertise regarding the following items below, all of which are critical to the success of this position and project.
• Working with, and developing on the code bases for, the THREDDS Data Server and netCDF-java;
• Working with geoscience data and data streams, explicitly listing data formats that you have experience with;
• This position will require you to tailor your communication style when working with your team, the greater community, and external stakeholders/partners. Describe how you navigate modulating your communication style to effectively engage and inform various audiences, as well as responding to their needs.

Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

Work Location: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person, hybrid (combination of in-person and remote), and fully remote opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Software Development

• Responsible for guiding the technical direction of the THREDDS project and collaborating with developers to design, develop, test, and support NSF Unidata software.
• Work closely with end-users and developers to define community needs and solve technical challenges, while advancing middleware technologies and scalable scientific data management tools.
• Oversee and maintain the IDD data streams, production instances of TDS, and development infrastructure, ensuring automated deployment and continuous integration across projects.

User Support

• Serve as the expert on configuring, using, and troubleshooting the THREDDS Data Server and NSF Unidata software.
• Investigate and resolve user support issues related to software and real-time data streams, providing timely and effective responses.
• Diagnose problems, propose solutions and work with other developers to develop and test proposed solutions.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

• Foster interactions with the user community and Unidata staff to anticipate current and future data and software needs.
• Identify and pursue collaborative funding opportunities to advance NSF Unidata tools and technology.
• Participate in technical and institutional advisory committees, preparing progress reports and presentations for NSF Unidata management.
• Collaborate with external groups to specify and develop interfaces and standards.
• Build relationships within the Earth System Science and Cyberinfrastructure community to identify collaborative proposal opportunities.
• Author technical reports and publications, and present findings at scientific meetings and UCAR events.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer-related field;
• 12 years of extensive and progressively relevant experience (may include formal supervisory experience);
  • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired, but not required:

• Graduate degree in Meteorology and 10+ years of experience developing scientific software.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Expertise in Software Engineering and Development:

• Proficient in software engineering methodologies and developing software in various languages (e.g., Java, Python), including client/server applications using Java Servlet technologies.
• Advanced skills in developing, debugging, and maintaining complex software systems with multiple interacting components for the THREDDS Data Server, netCDF-Java.

Technical Tools and Algorithms:

• Advanced experience with standard software development tools (e.g., Git, debuggers, IDEs).
• Demonstrated expertise in basic algorithms and data structures for managing large collections of scientific data.

Data Management and Access Protocols:

• Extensive experience with meteorological data formats (e.g., GRIB, netCDF, BUFR), real-time data streams, and scientific data access protocols (e.g., netCDF, OPeNDAP, OGC WCS).
• Strong understanding of REST, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) concepts, and the HTTP specification.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Proven ability to work with developers and end-users, providing timely user support and troubleshooting, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills for managing and presenting technical material to a variety of audiences.

Leadership and Strategic Insight:

• Ability to provide leadership in selecting and configuring development tools, with experience working both independently and as part of a team (e.g., technical lead or member).
• Experience evaluating, interpreting, and applying new technical knowledge and trends in software and hardware.

Open Source and Proposal Development:

• Extensive experience with open-source software projects and development processes.
• Proven track record in submitting proposals to organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Benefits Overview

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits . In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities
• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one
• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year(prorated for less than full-time positions)
• 10 paid holidays
• 10 days of sick leave each year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary
• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace site.

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience . Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

Some Final Considerations

At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.