Early Career Computer Science - Satellite Ground Stations, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 99,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM invites a Computer Scientist to design, develop, and implement software for satellite ground stations, enabling data processing, scheduling, and mission operations.

You will collaborate with engineers and specialists across disciplines, applying Java and Python, Unix/Linux, and modern software practices to deliver scalable, reliable solutions with strong performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent combined education/experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q and SCI clearances which may require a polygraph test.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a team to develop new software using Java and C++ for sensor and payload scheduling, commanding, state-of-health monitoring, and constellation management.
• Work with architects, developers, customers, and end users to gather requirements and deliver scalable software.
• Enhance user experience to support operational environments.
• Utilize debugging and static analysis tools to troubleshoot complex applications.
• Conduct research to optimize scheduling algorithms and geolocation accuracy.
• Engage with specialists in data fusion, signal processing, analytics, cloud computing, and ML.

Skills

Java and Python

Object-oriented programming

Unix/Linux experience

Web front-end development

Scheduling algorithms

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Docker

Jenkins

CI/CD practices

Job description

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Employment Type: Full-Time

Status: Regular

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like

Passionate about Space, Satellites and other Remote Sensing systems? Our team is dedicated to advancing remote sensing technologies and enhancing global security through the development of innovative ground station solutions. We are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what is possible in satellite operations and ensuring that our systems meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.

We are looking for a talented Computer Scientist to join our team and contribute to exciting projects that build and optimize satellite ground stations. As the selected candidate, you will play a crucial role in the design, development, and implementation of software systems for satellite ground stations. You will work collaboratively with engineers and other specialists to create robust solutions that support satellite communication, data processing, and mission operations. Your contributions will directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of our ground station capabilities.

On any given day, you may be called upon to:

• Collaborate with a team to develop new software using Java and C++ for sensor and payload scheduling, commanding, state-of-health monitoring, and constellation management.
• Work closely with architects, developers, technical leads, customers, and end users to gather requirements, design solutions, and deliver scalable software applications.
• Focus on enhancing user experience to support operational environments effectively.
• Utilize debugging tools, static analysis tools, test harnesses, and other capabilities to troubleshoot and resolve complex software applications and libraries.
• Conduct research to optimize scheduling algorithms, improve geolocation accuracy, and support feasibility studies.
• Engage with specialists in diverse fields such as data fusion, signal and image processing, analytics, cloud computing, machine learning, modeling and simulation, service-oriented architectures, data management and visualization, and pattern recognition.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$99,400 - $193,600

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q and SCI clearances which may require a polygraph test.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E, Computer Science candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Computer Science or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Demonstrated software development skills and familiarity with modern software development practices and tools (e.g., Agile).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and a passion to improve and expand technical skills.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Proficiency in object-oriented programming with Java and Python.
• Experience with Unix/Linux operating environments.
• Familiarity with the design and integration of distributed systems deployed across heterogeneous platforms.
• Experience in developing software for satellite ground stations or related aerospace applications.
• Knowledge of command and control technologies, including experience in building telemetry processing software and automated vehicle health management systems.
• Familiarity with Docker, Jenkins, and CI/CD practices.
• Experience with Web based front-end development
• Experience in algorithm development for near real-time systems.
• Active DOE Q security clearance.

About Our Team

Our team is at the forefront of designing and developing sophisticated data processing systems and analytical applications that support some of our nation's most critical nonproliferation and national security missions. Our mission is to engineer, build, deploy, and enhance vital systems that transform data into actionable decisions.

The Tasking, Planning, and Mission Management Department (6323) focuses on developing software to assist in satellite and payload command and control, task and asset scheduling and coordination, state-of-health analysis and visualization, mission planning, and other control elements such as navigation, geolocation, and payload pointing. Our team's deep domain expertise and technical experience, combined with an operational mindset, create extraordinary capabilities for our nation and the brave individuals who protect it.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.