CIRES / NOAA NCEI Software Engineer Associate Scientist I

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Allenspark (CO); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work modality

Relocation assistance

Mentorship program

Transit pass

Job summary

CIRES, the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, located at the University of Colorado Boulder, seeks a software engineer to advance NOAA/NCEI data systems for marine datasets. Based in Boulder, CO, you will automate, monitor, and enhance ingestion, archival, and dissemination workflows while collaborating with scientists and data managers.

The role emphasizes independent coding, problem solving, and teamwork in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a STEM field.
• Demonstrated programming proficiency through coursework or experience.
• Ability to write and maintain code independently.

Responsibilities

• Optimize, monitor, troubleshoot, and enhance systems for ingesting, archiving, and disseminating marine datasets (60%).
• Communicate with scientists and data managers to identify needed software enhancements (20%).
• Maintain relational databases to enable discovery and access to data (10%).
• Self-manage multiple projects and stakeholders concurrently (10%).

Skills

Programming

Object-oriented

Linux

Bash

Java

JavaScript

Cloud

Databases

Spatial data

Education

Bachelor's in STEM

Tools

Git

SQL

Spatial databases

Job description

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences(CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder is hiring a softwareengineer to support NOAA’s National Center for EnvironmentalInformation (NCEI). Based at the David Skaggs Research Center inBoulder, Colorado, the successful candidate will developsoftware-based solutions to meet science-driven requirements. Joining a multidisciplinary team of scientists, data managers, andsoftware engineers, the candidate will focus on the research,archival, development, and dissemination of NOAA’s seafloor mappingdata. Primary responsibilities include automating, maintaining,monitoring, enhancing, and troubleshooting systems used foremanning marine datasets such as bathymetry, echo-sounder,water-column-sonar, video, or marine core samples. The ideal applicant will possess strong programming skills, the ability to operate independently, and a flexible, upbeat approach to collaborating with team members. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system. NCEI, as the Nation’s leading authority for environmental information, hosts and provides access to one of the most significant archives on Earth, encompassing comprehensive oceanic, atmospheric, and geophysical data. Its data collections span from million-year-old sediment records to near real-time satellite imagery, reaching from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun. Specifically, the Nation's marine geophysical data and information are held and preserved at NCEI’s Boulder, Colorado office.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Optimize, monitor, troubleshoot, and assist in the enhancement of systems used to ingest, archive, maintain, visualize, and disseminate marine datasets (60%)
• Communicate with NCEI/CIRES scientists and data managers to identify software enhancements or new capabilities needed to accomplish science objectives (20%)
• Maintain relational databases to enable discovery and access to data (10%)
• Self-manage work with a variety of projects, stakeholders, and team members concurrently (10%)

What You Should Know

• Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (greencards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylum, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnestyprovisions) may apply.
• This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated at the NOAA office in Boulder, CO (David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO).
• Selected finalists will be required to pass a federal background clearance check.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The hiring salary range for this position is $62,444 to$78,055. Salary is commensurate with education and experience anddetermined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• Some relocation expenses are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
• CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robusttraining curriculum, opportunities for professional development,and a Mentorship Program.
• Boulder is a vibrantcommunity with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles oftrails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters,museums, and sports venues.
• As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing freeaccess to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systemsthat provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, theDenver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we arecommitted to supporting the holistic health and well-being of ouremployees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuitionassistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for localtransit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulderoffers an inspiring academic community and access to world-classoutdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs throughthe CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be dynamic. Be entrepreneurial. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Mathematics, the Physical Sciences, or another STEM field isrequired.
• Demonstrated programming proficiency through academic coursework or relevant experience.
• A solid foundation in programming fundamentals, with the ability to write and maintain code independently.

What You Will Need

• Flexible and proactive attitude combined with an ability to work independently and with other team members to simultaneously make progress on multiple projects.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong skills in time management. This role will requireworking toward several deadlines throughout the year, sometimessimultaneously.
• A strong enthusiasm for continuous learning.

What We Would Like You to Have

Please note that while the position details both required skillsand desired skills, applicants do not need to have all of thedesired skills and experience to be considered for this position.If you meet the minimum qualifications, have passion for the work,along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged toapply. We provide on-the-job training for any additional skills orknowledge that become relevant to the position.

• Experience with object oriented and functional programming(Java and JavaScript experience is a plus).
• Bash programming experience.
• Experience with Linux.
• Familiarity with cloud services (AWS experience is aplus).
• Familiarity with relational database management systems.
• Experience with or knowledge of spatial data anddatabases.
• Experience documenting standard operating procedures fortechnical tasks.
• General understanding of oceanography.
• Experience with user interface and user experience (UI/UX)design.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

This position will close on August 24, 2026.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifyinginformation such as age, date of birth, or dates of schoolattendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redactingor removing this information.