Programmer II

Axiom Consultants; Rockville (MD); Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Life Insurance

401(k) Matching

Competitive Salary

Job summary

Axiom Consultants seeks a MADIS/HADS Programmer II to support the National Weather Service in Silver Spring, MD. The role is remote and requires building and maintaining data ingestion pipelines, decoding GOES telemetry, and developing tools to ensure data quality for hydrological operations.

Ideal candidates have a CS degree or 4 years of applicable experience, with strong programming skills in Python, C++, or Java, plus SQL and Linux proficiency. Meteorology background is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Computer Science or 4 years of applicable experience.
• MTA or MCSA certification required.
• Background in meteorology, hydrology, or physical sciences is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain HADS and ingest pipelines, including OpenDCS and NWSTG.
• Decode GOES telemetry and convert ASCII/pseudo-binary data for processing.
• Design and modernize internal tools to automate HADS processing pipelines.
• Diagnose vulnerabilities, malfunctions, and data decoding errors in operations.
• Support databases, scripts, and decoders in a relational DB environment.
• Prepare technical documentation on architecture, data flows, and procedures.
• Communicate complex system logic with internal teams and data partners.

Skills

Python

C++

Java

Perl

Bash

SQL

Algorithm design

Education

B.S. in Computer Science

MTA

MCSA

Tools

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Linux

Cloud/Virtualization

Job description

Axiom is seeking a MADIS / HADS Programmer II to join our team in providing technical support services to the Sterling Field Support Center (SFSC). This position is based in Silver Spring, Maryland at the National Weather Service, but is fully remote.

Core Technical Expectations

• Strong proficiency in a modern language (e.g., Python, C++, or Java) backed by solid computer science, algorithmic design, and object-oriented principles.
• Ability to leverage computer science concepts to read, debug, and modernize existing legacy codebases (Java, Perl, Bash).
• Databases & Environments: Solid understanding of relational database structures and SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL), alongside comfort working in Linux and virtualized/cloud environments.
• Background or demonstrated interest in Meteorology, Hydrology, Environmental Science, or Physical Sciences is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• System & Ingest Maintenance: Perform system maintenance and upkeep of primary and backup HADS servers, maintaining connectivity, security controls, and data ingest pipelines from OpenDCS, NWSTG, FTP servers, and API endpoints.
• Data Decoding & Telemetry Logic: Maintain decoding schemes for raw GOES satellite telemetry in order to decode multi-parameter ASCII and pseudobinary message formats into usable observational data for downstream processing.
• Software Development: Design, modernize, and maintain internal software tools that automate HADS processing pipelines, enhance data quality control, resolve data-flow bottlenecks, and maintain dataset consistency across operational platforms.
• Data Logic & Troubleshooting: Diagnose, debug, and resolve complex software vulnerabilities, system malfunctions, and data decoding errors for mission-critical observations supporting NWS hydrological operations.
• Database & Infrastructure Support: Support database maintenance duties for internal relational databases, associated utility servers, and data stores, including managing databases, tables, user roles, connections, data transfers, and security. Candidates must possess strong SQL proficiency and understand how application processing tools, scripts, and decoders interact with a relational database environment.
• Technical Documentation: Maintain and create detailed technical documentation describing program architecture, code logic, database schemas, and operational procedures required to support HADS.
• Technical Communication: Routinely engage with internal teams, field offices, and external data partners to clearly explain complex system logic, troubleshoot data flow issues, and support routine operational needs.

This position requires a B.S. degree in Computer Science or 4 years of applicable experience and at least the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) or Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA). Background in Meteorology, Oceanography and/or Hydrology highly desireable.

Axiom offers competitive compensation packages including comprehensive medical/dental/life insurance and matching 401(k) contribution.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)