RAF Software Engineer Programmer IV Casual

ucar; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 91,000 - 114,000; Part time

Job summary

UCAR's Research Aviation Facility in Broomfield, CO seeks a casual, on-site software engineer to support airborne data acquisition and real-time systems.

Responsibilities include mentoring the incoming lead, documenting systems, providing on-call technical consultation, and transitioning knowledge to continuing engineering staff, while solving complex challenges in embedded Linux, hardware drivers, and signal processing for edge DAQ hardware in high-vibration airborne environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer-related field and extensive experience (typically twelve+ years) or equivalent.
• Expert skills in software engineering methodologies.
• Broad knowledge of computer science, technology, and trends.
• Proficient with architecture of large-scale, complex systems and interacting components.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge Transfer & Mentoring of the Incoming Lead.
• Documentation of Undocumented Systems.
• On-Call Technical Consultation.
• Transition Support to Continuing Engineering Staff.
• Provides expert guidance to development team on robust software solutions.

Skills

Software engineering

Embedded Linux

Real-time data acquisition

Hardware drivers

Signal processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer-related field

Job description

Position Type: Casual

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Hiring Range: 21.00 USD - 130.00 USD *Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on: 2026-09-25

The Research Aviation Facility (RAF), a facility within the Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL) at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), operates advanced research aircraft, including the NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V and C-130, in support of airborne field campaigns across the geosciences. RAF provides the scientific community with specialized airborne platforms, sensor suites, real-time telemetry, and in-flight computing infrastructure used to conduct research in the atmospheric geosciences in fields such as atmospheric chemistry, storm dynamics, and cloud physics.

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 12 am MDT (at the beginning of) Friday, September 25, 2026.

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

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

Research Aviation Facility, Broomfield, CO

What You Will Do

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

Key Responsibilities

• Knowledge Transfer & Mentoring of the Incoming Lead


• Documentation of Undocumented Systems


• On-Call Technical Consultation


• Transition Support to Continuing Engineering Staff


• Provides expert guidance and mentoring to the development team to ensure optimal and robust software solutions are determined.


• Solves complex engineering challenges related to real-time data acquisition, embedded Linux systems, hardware drivers, signal processing, and securing edge DAQ hardware in high-vibration airborne environments.


• Acts as an advisor to management and customers on advanced technical applications.


• Works on complex technical problems. Uses a high level of initiative, reasoning, and analytical abilities to design and implement the most appropriate and practical technical solution for the problem at hand.


• Supervision and guidance is given in terms of broad, general objectives and tasks.


• Consults with peers or appropriate experts concerning unusual problems and developments.

Provides expert guidance and mentoring to the development team to ensure optimal and robust software solutions are determined.

Solves complex engineering challenges related to real-time data acquisition, embedded Linux systems, hardware drivers, signal processing, and securing edge DAQ hardware in high-vibration airborne environments.

Acts as an advisor to management and customers on advanced technical applications.

Works on complex technical problems. Uses a high level of initiative, reasoning, and analytical abilities to design and implement the most appropriate and practical technical solution for the problem at hand.

Supervision and guidance is given in terms of broad, general objectives and tasks.

Consults with peers or appropriate experts concerning unusual problems and developments.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

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

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in computer-related field and extensive and progressive relevant experience and/or education, which is typically gained by twelve or more years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. May include formal supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert skills in software engineering methodologies.


• Broad knowledge of computer science, technology, and trends.


• In-depth knowledge of more than one application domain.


• Proficient with architecture of large-scale, complex systems including interacting components.


• Advanced ability to enhance existing software processes and define standards and guidelines


• Applies advanced technical principles, theories and concepts. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.


• Able to provide leadership in determining strategic choice and configuration of development tools

Preferred Qualifications

Hiring Hourly Rate Range: $66.44 - $83.05/hour *Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.