CESM Software Engineer II

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR); Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Retirement plan

Time off plans

Tuition assistance

PSLF eligible employer

Job summary

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in Boulder, CO seeks a Software Engineer to modernize the CESM modeling ecosystem towards new architectures and computational approaches. The role emphasizes performance analysis, code modernization, and collaboration with scientists and engineers in CGD.

Required: a Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field and 4–8 years of experience, plus knowledge of compiled languages (Fortran, C, C++).

Qualifications

• Proven ability to identify performance bottlenecks through profiling, testing and code analysis.
• Ability to modernize legacy code, update libraries/frameworks, and apply current development standards.
• Experience with software requirements analysis and systems design.
• Ability to work independently and in a team on challenging software projects.
• Attention to detail and strong communication skills.
• Experience with at least one compiled language (Fortran, C, C++)
• Familiarity with parallel programming models (MPI, OpenMP, OpenACC)

Responsibilities

• Enhance the CESM modeling ecosystem for performance, memory reductions and hardware portability.
• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders on changes for integration into the model.
• Review and analyze existing modeling software capabilities for quality and maintainability.
• Document findings and decisions to support knowledge sharing across a large team.
• Explore benchmarks in newer languages and paradigms relevant to software modernization.

Skills

Performance profiling

Code modernization

Software analysis

Requirements analysis

Independent & team work

Communication skills

Compiled languages (Fortran/C/C++)

Parallel programming (MPI/OpenMP/OpenC

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer-related field

Tools

None

Job description

Position Type: Regular

Visa Sponsored Job: Yes

Relocation Assistance Eligible: Yes

Hiring Range: 83,299.00 USD - 104,127.00 USD

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

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on: 2026-09-08

About the Role

This position will focus on modernizing the software in CESM, a world-leading Earth system model, towards new architectures, infrastructure and computational approaches. The work will require some knowledge of algorithms, data structures, software development and hardware platforms, as well as attention to detail, and will emphasize problem solving and rapid development for the scientific community we serve. The position will interact with our Community Software Facility, as well as a variety of software engineers & scientific leadership on targeted, strategic priorities. This Software Engineer position is part of the computer engineering group within NSF NCAR's CGD Laboratory. CGD is home to approximately 130 staff members, along with visiting researchers from around the world. Together, they advance the understanding of Earth system variability and change while addressing the risks of environmental change through collaborative, innovative, and inclusive research. More information about CGD can be found online at https://www.cgd.ucar.edu/.

Job Description

• This position will be posted until 11:59 pm MDT on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire.

Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Visa Sponsorship and Relocation Assistance may be available to final candidate if eligible.

What You Will Do

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

Software Engineering & Optimization

• Participates in the enhancement of the CESM modeling ecosystem, targeting performance improvements, memory reductions, hardware portability (GPUs) and other key strategic needs.
• Collaborates with team members & project stakeholders on proposed changes & processes for integration into the model.

Code & Capability Analysis

• Review and analyze existing modeling software capabilities to assess its structure, quality, and maintainability.
• Document findings, proposed changes, and technical decisions to support knowledge sharing across a wide team of scientists and engineers.

Exploratory Development

• Explore & evaluate benchmarks in newer languages and paradigms
• Stay current with emerging tools, languages & techniques relevant to software modernization

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

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

Education and Experience (Required):

Bachelor's degree in computer-related field and progressive relevant experience, which is typically gained by four to eight years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required:

• Proven ability to identify performance bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and other technical limitations through profiling, testing, and code analysis.
• Ability to recommend and implement modernization strategies, including refactoring legacy code, updating outdated libraries or frameworks, and applying current development standards and best practices.
• Demonstrated skill applying the software development process, including participation in software requirements analysis and systems design
• Ability to work both independently and within a team on interesting & challenging software projects.
• Attention to detail and strong communication skills to accurately assess and convey complexities.
• Experience with at least one compiled language (Fortran, C, C++, etc)

Desired

• Familiarity with parallel programming (MPI, OpenMP, OpenACC, JAX, etc)
• Some knowledge of numerical methods, data structures and algorithms

Preferred Qualifications

Salary Range $83,299 - $104,127

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

Benefits Overview

UCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
  • Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age-related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions.

For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work.

All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on-site approximately 3 days per week.