Application Developer

Caltech; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Caltech's IPAC invites applications for an Associate Applications Developer to help build and test data processing pipelines for the UVEX mission. You will write production-grade code, document software designs, and collaborate with the UVEX team to ensure reliable pipeline validation.

Starting in 2026, on-site in Pasadena, with remote days typically 1–2 per week. Required: a technical bachelor’s degree and 3+ years in Python and C/C++, plus familiarity with Git, GitHub, and Jira.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s 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).

Responsibilities

• Develop and test algorithms for data processing pipelines and write production-quality code.
• Document designs and software; participate in UVEX project meetings.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Git

GitHub

Jira

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Git

GitHub

Jira

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

IPAC at Caltech has an opening for an Associate Applications Developer to participate in the development of the data processing pipelines for the UVEX 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.

The Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) is targeted to launch in 2030 as NASA’s next Astrophysics Medium-Class Explorer mission. UVEX will undertake a synoptic survey of the entire sky in the near-UV and far-UV, probing the dynamic universe with a sensitivity more than 50 times better than GALEX. UVEX will also have a powerful broadband spectroscopic capability. UVEX will address fundamental questions from the Astro2020 Decadal Survey and study the evolution of low-metallicity, low-mass galaxies. UVEX time-domain surveys will probe the aftermaths of gravitational-wave-discovered compact object mergers, discover fast UV transients, and diagnose the early stages of explosive phenomena.

As an Application Developer, you will work with the UVEX team to develop and test algorithms and write original production-quality code for pipeline processing and validation. You will also document your designs and software, and participate in meetings with the UVEX project.

Basic Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s 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 a related field.
• Experience working with scientific datasets and use cases.
• Experience developing software for astronomical data analysis.
• Experience with the Rubin/LSST Science Pipelines software stack.

Since UVEX is a distributed 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

Deadline and Start Date

Applications received by November 17, 2026 will receive full consideration. The position is intended to start in 2026.
This is an on-site position at the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California. Remote workdays are typically allowed 1-2 days per week.

Life at IPAC and Caltech

Caltech is an award-winning workplace and one of the best places to work in the greater Los Angeles area. We offer an exciting and dynamic work environment, career development opportunities, competitive pay programs, great benefits, and the opportunity to participate in many campus programs and activities.

People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and the casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and lasting relationships. We seek the best and brightest talent to join our workforce and become members of our community.

Hiring Range

$112,900 - $140,100 Per Year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks .

EEO Statement

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and, as a federal contractor, takes affirmative action to employ qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .