Software Engineer – In Situ Atmospheric Composition Observations

ECMWF; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ECMWF is seeking a Software Engineer (A2) to join the Observations Team in Reading, UK. The role focuses on reliable acquisition, preparation and operational use of in situ atmospheric observations for forecasting and environmental monitoring.

You will coordinate data workflows and collaborate with scientists and external data providers to strengthen production systems. The team works across data assimilation, verification and AI-driven approaches, contributing to CAMS and other ECMWF services.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and maintaining data processing systems or workflows, ideally in an operational environment.
• Experience working with scientists, researchers or technical specialists to deliver robust data services or production workflows.
• Proficiency in Python and shell scripting in a Linux computing environment.
• Strong software development skills, including good practice in code quality, testing, version control and maintainability.
• Ability to understand and work with environmental or scientific data and to apply appropriate quality control and monitoring practices.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the acquisition, integration and ongoing management of in situ atmospheric composition observations from a range of providers, acting as a focal point for reliable data delivery.
• Prepare, maintain and monitor datasets for assimilation into the CAMS global atmospheric composition forecasting system, as well as for verification, diagnostics and quality assurance applications.
• Develop, test and implement improvements to operational data processing chains, including automation, monitoring and optimisation of observation handling workflows.
• Support the integration of new datasets, data formats and observing systems, ensuring quality, traceability and robustness in ECMWF’s production environment.
• Identify, analyse and resolve operational issues affecting observation processing, including contributing to on-call support when required.
• Work with scientists, software engineers, infrastructure specialists and external partners to improve data workflows and represent ECMWF in relevant technical coordination activities where appropriate.

Skills

Python

Shell scripting

Data processing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Linux

Git

Job description

Your role

ECMWF is seeking a motivated and highly skilled Software Engineer (A2) to join our Observations Team. The role will support the reliable acquisition, preparation and operational use of in situ atmospheric composition observations for ECMWF’s forecasting and environmental monitoring activities. You will play a central part in coordinating and improving the data workflows that make these observations available for assimilation, verification, diagnostics and emerging data-driven forecasting approaches. This includes supporting the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) global production system and helping the observation processing pipeline evolve as data volumes, data types and technologies change. The role combines operational delivery, software and data engineering, and close collaboration with scientists, technical specialists and external data providers. It is an opportunity to contribute to robust production systems while helping ECMWF exploit observations more effectively across current and future forecasting approaches.

Your responsibilities

• Coordinate the acquisition, integration and ongoing management of in situ atmospheric composition observations from a range of providers, acting as a focal point for reliable data delivery.
• Prepare, maintain and monitor datasets for assimilation into the CAMS global atmospheric composition forecasting system, as well as for verification, diagnostics and quality assurance applications.
• Develop, test and implement improvements to operational data processing chains, including automation, monitoring and optimisation of observation handling workflows.
• Support the integration of new datasets, data formats and observing systems, ensuring quality, traceability and robustness in ECMWF’s production environment.
• Identify, analyse and resolve operational issues affecting observation processing, including contributing to on-call support when required.
• Work with scientists, software engineers, infrastructure specialists and external partners to improve data workflows and represent ECMWF in relevant technical coordination activities where appropriate.

The team

The Observations Team sits within the Production Section of ECMWF’s Forecasts and Services Department. The team is responsible for the operational acquisition, handling and preparation of observational data used by ECMWF’s forecasting, monitoring, verification and service production systems. The team works closely with data assimilation, atmospheric composition, verification, AI and machine-learning, software engineering and infrastructure colleagues, as well as with external agencies, data providers and contractors. Its work helps ensure that observational data are timely, reliable, traceable and ready for scientific and operational exploitation.

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation, we collaborate internationally to serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.

The success of our activities depends on the funding and partnerships of the 35 Member and Co-operating States who provide the support and direction of our work. Our talented staff together with the international scientific community, and our powerful supercomputing capabilities, are the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. We also hold one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth Initiative, the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services (CAMS) and the Clima Change Service (C3S) of the Copernicus Programme as well as the Strengthening Early Earning in Africa (SEWA) Programme. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.

Our vision: The strength of a common goal
Our mission: Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States

ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany, as a central location for our EU-related activities. ECMWF is internationally recognised as the voice of expertise in numerical weather predictions for forecasts and climate science.

www.ecmwf.int

About the Copernicus Programme

Copernicus is the earth observation component of the European Union (EU) space programme. Based on the exploitation of spaced based and in situ (earth-based) observations and scientific models, Copernicus provides information services for land, marine, atmospheric and climate monitoring, as well as emergency management and security. These services, and their free, open and quality assured data and tools, support a range of environmental and security applications across sectors and policy domains. ECMWF has been entrusted to operate two of these Services - the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) - on behalf of the European Commission, as well as being a contributor to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service.

TheCopernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to atmospheric composition, including air pollutants and greenhouse gases, solar energy, and climate forcing, everywhere in the world. For more information, see https://www.copernicus.eu/en/copernicus-services/atmosphere

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides authoritative information about the past, present and future climate, as well as tools to enable climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies by policy makers and businesses. For more information, see https://www.copernicus.eu/en/copernicus-services/climate-change

www.copernicus.eu.

What we are looking for

• We are looking for someone who combines strong technical capability with the judgement, organisation and collaborative approach needed to support operational production systems.
• Works in a structured and reliable way, with strong attention to data quality, consistency and traceability.
• Communicates clearly with technical, scientific and external stakeholders, adapting the level of detail to the audience.
• Uses sound judgement to prioritise work, diagnose problems and identify practical solutions in an operational setting.
• Collaborates effectively across disciplines while also taking ownership of tasks and following them through to completion.
• Shows initiative in improving systems and processes, and is comfortable learning and applying new technologies as requirements evolve.

Your profile

You will have a degree (EQ7 level or above), or equivalent experience, in atmospheric science, data science, physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science or another relevant discipline.

Essential experience and knowledge

• Experience developing and maintaining data processing systems or workflows, ideally in an operational environment.
• Experience working with scientists, researchers or technical specialists to deliver robust data services or production workflows.
• Proficiency in Python and shell scripting in a Linux computing environment.
• Strong software development skills, including good practice in code quality, testing, version control and maintainability.
• Ability to understand and work with environmental or scientific data and to apply appropriate quality control and monitoring practices.

Desirable experience and knowledge

• Understanding of environmental data formats and standards such as BUFR, NetCDF or similar.
• Familiarity with atmospheric composition observations and/or data assimilation.
• Exposure to machine-learning workflows or AI-based uses of observational data.

Languages

• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English, the working language of ECMWF.

Other information

Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. Details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.

Starting date: as soon as possible.

Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station, either Bonn, Germany, or Reading, UK. As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking, including away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to take place shortly after the vacancy closing date.

Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

Who can apply

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States as well as nationals of European Union member states. In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy. Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.

ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.