Senior C++ Programmer

Socket.dev; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle seeks a Senior C++ Programmer to enhance the COMPASS ecological model, add features, fix issues, and improve performance in collaboration with NOAA scientists.

The role encompasses implementing GUI components, handling model parameters, ensuring Windows/Linux/macOS builds, and delivering clear progress reports and documentation to support scientific work.

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in computer science or a related field.
• Must have at least 10 years of applied programming experience.
• Must demonstrate strong C++ proficiency through relevant completed projects.
• Must have experience working with large, complex, object-oriented C++ applications.
• Must be able to work with C++17, Qt 6, Boost, and Git.
• Must be able to compile, test, troubleshoot, and deploy software builds.
• Must be able to create Windows installer packages using NOAA’s documented process.
• Must communicate clearly and professionally with NOAA scientists and project personnel.
• Must provide regular progress reports and update technical and user documentation.
• Must be able to complete required NOAA security screening and information-technology training.
• Must protect NOAA data and comply with applicable information-security requirements.
• Coursework or experience in ecology, fisheries, oceanography, natural resources, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing ecological models used to support management decisions is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete development of the COMPASS graphical user interface.
• Add controls that allow users to modify model parameters and environmental data, including flow and temperature.
• Complete the adult fish passage module for upstream migration and dam passage.
• Develop ecological functions for reservoir survival, travel time, tailrace delay, fish-ladder movement, fallback, and harvest.
• Work with NOAA scientists to calibrate model parameters using radio-telemetry and PIT-tag data.
• Troubleshoot, debug, test, and maintain approximately 230,000 lines of C++ code.
• Implement model changes requested by NOAA’s West Coast Region.
• Support analyses related to salmon management, hydropower operations, litigation, and animal acts.
• Improve software speed, efficiency, memory usage, reliability, and ease of use when necessary.
• Maintain existing acceptance-test parity and confirm updates produce correct results.
• Create and deploy Windows builds while maintaining compatibility with Linux and macOS where practical.
• Document completed work and provide evidence that each update functions as expected.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Strong OO design

C++17

Qt 6

Boost

Git

Communication with scientists

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Windows installer packaging

Education

Degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Qt 6

Boost

Git

Job description

Place of Performance:

NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Fish Ecology Division
2725 Montlake Boulevard East
Seattle, Washington 98112

Brief Summary:

NOAA is seeking an experienced Senior C++ Programmer to improve and maintain the COMPASS ecological model. The work includes developing software features, resolving technical issues, improving performance, and collaborating with NOAA scientists. .

Requirements:

• Must have a degree in computer science or a related field.
• Must have at least 10 years of applied programming experience.
• Must demonstrate strong C++ proficiency through relevant completed projects.
• Must have experience working with large, complex, object-oriented C++ applications.
• Must be able to work with C++17, Qt 6, Boost, and Git.
• Must be able to compile, test, troubleshoot, and deploy software builds.
• Must be able to create Windows installer packages using NOAA’s documented process.
• Must communicate clearly and professionally with NOAA scientists and project personnel.
• Must provide regular progress reports and update technical and user documentation.
• Must be able to complete required NOAA security screening and information-technology training.
• Must protect NOAA data and comply with applicable information-security requirements.
• Coursework or experience in ecology, fisheries, oceanography, natural resources, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing ecological models used to support management decisions is strongly preferred.

Duties:

• Complete development of the COMPASS graphical user interface.
• Add controls that allow users to modify model parameters and environmental data, including flow and temperature.
• Complete the adult fish passage module for upstream migration and dam passage.
• Develop ecological functions for reservoir survival, travel time, tailrace delay, fish-ladder movement, fallback, and harvest.
• Work with NOAA scientists to calibrate model parameters using radio-telemetry and PIT-tag data.
• Troubleshoot, debug, test, and maintain approximately 230,000 lines of C++ code.
• Implement model changes requested by NOAA’s West Coast Region.
• Support analyses related to salmon management, hydropower operations, litigation, and the Endangered Species and Magnuson-Stevens Acts.
• Improve software speed, efficiency, memory usage, reliability, and ease of use when necessary.
• Maintain existing acceptance-test parity and confirm that updates produce correct results.
• Create and deploy Windows builds while maintaining compatibility with Linux and macOS where practical.
• Document completed work and provide evidence that each update functions as expected.
• Support the graphical interface and adult passage module during any exercised option years.
• During Option Year One, add tributary travel-time and survival functionality and other NOAA-prioritized ecological features.
• During later option years, continue maintenance and expand features based on previously completed work.
• Obtain written NOAA approval before performing work that expands the agreed scope.
• Ensure all code and documentation developed under the contract are delivered to and become the property of the U.S. Government.