26-123 Scientific Cloud and DevOps Developer

Colorado State University; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) seeks a full-time Software Engineer to lead weather model verification software initiatives at NOAA's AVID in Boulder, CO. The role emphasizes cloud-native development, DevOps automation, and secure infrastructure, collaborating across meteorology and software teams.

Required expertise includes Python, Linux, CI/CD, cloud architecture, and containerization with Kubernetes and Docker.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience with modern CI/CD systems.
• Five years of Python programming experience.
• Five years of experience developing software in a Linux environment.
• Two years of experience implementing and managing cloud computing architecture.
• Two years hands-on expertise with Kubernetes and Docker.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for transitioning to modern cloud infrastructure, overseeing Git integrations and automated deployments.
• Design and maintain cloud architecture, including Kubernetes clusters and Terraform modules that meet federal security requirements.
• Improve code quality with tools and practices to catch bugs before production.
• Prepare software documentation with team members.
• Produce status reports for project sponsors and CIRA.
• Deliver technical talks and presentations as requested.

Skills

CI/CD

Python

Linux

Cloud computing

Kubernetes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Atmospheric Sciences/Physics or related field

MS in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

Docker

Job description

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University seeks to fill a full‑time Software Engineer position designed to conduct collaborative research and development with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) located at the Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) in Boulder, CO. The individual in this position will work in the NOAA/OAR/GSL Assimilation, Verification Innovation (AVID) Division’s Verification and Assessment Branch. The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) is a multi‑million‑dollar research organization located on CSU's Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. CIRA is a cooperative institute (CI) that is also a research department within CSU's College of Engineering, in partnership with the Department of Atmospheric Science. Its vision is to conduct interdisciplinary research in the atmospheric sciences by entraining skills beyond the meteorological disciplines, exploiting advances in engineering and computer science, facilitating transitional activity between pure and applied research, leveraging both national and international resources and partnerships, and assisting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CSU, the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit. NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) is a federal science and research laboratory under NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. GSL provides the National Weather Service (NWS) and the nation with environmental observation, prediction, computer, visualization, and information systems. These systems deliver data, forecasts, and predictions of weather, including severe weather events, within the next few minutes to weeks away. GSL is a leader in the applied research, directed development, and technology transfer of environmental data, models, products, and services that enhance environmental understanding with the outcome of supporting commerce, protecting life and property, and promoting a scientifically literate public.

Position Summary

The individual in this position works in the Assimilation And Verification Innovation Division (AVID) at NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory (GSL). They serve as the technical lead for a cross‑functional team of software engineers and meteorologists focused on weather model verification. They develop new software and provide a broad range of technical research, architectural design, and development activities. They also apply comprehensive, intensive, practical knowledge of software engineering principles to deliver end‑to‑end cloud capabilities, manage cloud infrastructure, and implement secure DevOps practices. They collaborate with colleagues in the lab's IT division on cloud implementation strategy, security, networking, and containerization. This position will report to the Senior Software Engineer/Architect.

Full Consideration Date: please apply by Wednesday, 9/30/2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Essential Job Duties

• Provide technical leadership for the team's transition to modern cloud infrastructure, overseeing Git integrations, automated deployments, and infrastructure as code.
• Design, implement, and maintain cloud architecture, including Kubernetes clusters and reusable Terraform modules that conform to federal security requirements.
• Implement tools & introduce practices to improve code quality and catch bugs prior to production.
• Prepare software documentation in collaboration with team members.
• Prepare status reports as required by the project sponsors and CIRA.
• Prepare and deliver technical talks and presentations as requested.

Conditions of Employment

This position requires onsite presence 3 days/week and optional telework 2 days/week because it requires significant collaboration with on‑site teams. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start of the position because CIRA will not sponsor any type of visa for this position now nor in the future. This full‑time position in Boulder, CO, requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI), tier 1 federal background check and a NOAA Common Access Card (CAC) ID badge for systems access. Therefore, only US citizens and lawful permanent residents with a physical USCIS “Green Card” are eligible.

Supervision

The individual in this position is not expected to supervise employees.

Required Qualifications

NOTE: In the body of your cover letter, please specifically address all required qualifications when describing your work experience. A resume that fails to specifically address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, or a related scientific field, plus 5 years of related experience; MS in Computer Science, Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, or a related scientific field plus 2 yrs experience; PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, or a related scientific field.

Other Requirements

This full‑time position in Boulder, CO, requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI), tier 1 federal background check and a NOAA Common Access Card (CAC) ID badge for systems access. Therefore, only US citizens and lawful permanent residents with a physical USCIS “Green Card” are eligible.

• Five (5) years of experience with modern continuous integration and delivery systems.
• Five (5) years of programming experience in Python.
• Five (5) years of experience developing software in a Linux environment.
• Two (2) years of experience implementing and managing cloud computing architecture.
• Two (2) years hands‑on expertise with container creation, orchestration and deployment with Kubernetes and Docker.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of modern continuous integration and delivery systems using Github Actions.
• Experience implementing GitOps workloads with EKS in AWS.
• Experience with ETL data pipelines like Dagster/Prefect & data workflows.
• Experience with modern python frameworks like xarray and other Pangeo community projects.
• Experience with modern cloud-native data formats like Zarr and Parquet.
• Experience with meteorological datasets and formats (e.g., Numerical Weather Prediction output, grib2, netCDF).
• Experience with NoSQL databases like Couchbase.
• Experience programming in Go and with shell scripts.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical lead, work independently as well as within a team-based environment, handle multiple tasks, and ensure projects meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams.

Salary

Salary Range: $105,000 - 115,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world‑class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work‑life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Review our detailed benefits information here. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Inspired by its land‑grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

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