Senior Full stack Engineer (Software Engineer III)

Aura Astronomy; Tucson, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Aura Astronomy in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Senior Fullstack Engineer to lead the development of visualization-rich web applications for public science education.

You will work on a stack including Craft CMS, PHP/PostgreSQL, React/Next.js, GraphQL, and Google Cloud Platform, building interactive tools from classroom apps to public websites.

The role emphasizes ownership, collaboration with UI/UX designers, accessibility (WCAG), code reviews, and mentoring engineers in a distributed team.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional software development with leadership on multiple projects.
• 5+ years working with React and React Server Components.
• Strong TypeScript, GraphQL/REST API, and Python backend experience.
• Experience with Craft CMS and CI/CD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Own full-stack implementation of EPO web products from concept to release.
• Lead frontend development and define scope with UX collaboration.
• Drive frontend architecture and performance optimizations.
• Ensure WCAG accessibility compliance across products.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to knowledge sharing.

Skills

React

TypeScript

GraphQL

REST APIs

Python

CI/CD

Web performance

WCAG

Team leadership

Tools

Craft CMS

Git

GitHub Actions

Job description

Job Category: Engineering

Requisition Number: SOFTW005591

• Posted : August 16, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Tucson, AZ, USA

Description

NSF’s NOIRLab is reshaping public engagement with astronomy and data science. Our Education and Public Outreach (EPO) team at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory builds interactive, data-driven digital experiences and visualizations that connect learners of all ages with the cosmos. We are looking for a Senior Fullstack Engineer to help lead the development of engaging web-based data visualizations that make Rubin’s data accessible, understandable and inspiring to the public.

This is more than just a software engineering role, it is an opportunity to shape how millions of people experience the universe.

About the Role

As a Senior Fullstack Engineer on our EPO team, you will be instrumental in architecting and delivering modern, visualization-rich web applications that support our educational and public science initiatives. You will lead feature development, guide frontend strategy and UX implementation and collaborate closely with designers, scientists and other engineers. Your work will directly impact products ranging from interactive classroom investigations to rich astronomical visualizations and Rubin’s public-facing websites.

What You Will Be Working On

Our stack includes a headless Craft CMS (PHP/PostgreSQL), a React/Next.js frontend and content delivery via GraphQL, all deployed in the Google Cloud Platform. While you will work on the full stack, your primary focus will be on building modern, performant, web applications with accessible and interactive data visualizations and experiences.

Key projects include:

• An interactive astronomical image viewer with data overlays
• Classroom web apps built on real Rubin Observatory data
• The public-facing Rubin Observatory website
• A component library of reusable React/Next.js widgets for science education

Core Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the full-stack implementation of EPO web products
• Lead the frontend development of new features from concept to release, defining scope, collaborating on UX, coding, testing, deploying
• Drive frontend architecture and contribute to strategic technical direction in collaboration with other team members
• Partner with our UI/UX designer to bring thoughtful, accessible, user-friendly designs to life
• Build interactive tools and data visualizations that communicate complex astronomical data to non-experts
• Identify and champion tech debt and performance optimization opportunities
• Ensure products meet WCAG accessibility standards
• Contribute to automated testing (Cypress/Playwright) and documentation
• Conduct code reviews and collaborate closely with engineers, product owners and external stakeholders
• Mentor junior engineers and support knowledge sharing across the team

Requirements

• 8+ years of professional software development experience, including leadership on multiple projects
• 5+ years working with React
• Strong understanding of React Server Components, advanced caching strategies and security best practices with React/Next.js
• Extensive, proven experience with TypeScript
• Extensive, proven experience with Git, GitHub Actions and CI/CD workflows
• Extensive, proven experience with GraphQL and REST APIs
• Extensive, proven experience with SQL and database schema design
• Extensive, proven experience with Craft CMS and other content management systems
• Extensive, proven experience writing backend services and APIs in Python
• Clear and effective communicator, adept at conveying technical information to non-technical audiences
• Comfortable working in a remote, distributed team environment
• Experience solving frontend performance issues
• Familiarity navigating a cloud provider web console

Preferences

• 10+ years of professional software development experience
• Experience with creating visualizations with WebGL frameworks
• Industry experience in mission-driven tech, with a focus on delivering impactful, user-centered solutions
• Passion for astronomy, science communication or online education
• 3+ years with Next.js
• Experience with CSS modules and React Three Fiber

Salary Range

$107,400 – $125,700 per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

Why Join Us

At NSF’s NOIRLab, we believe in science for everyone. Our EPO team is committed to building tools that not only inform but ignite curiosity and empower discovery. You will join a collaborative, mission-driven team that values creativity, experimentation and technical excellence — and you will help shape how a new generation interacts with the night sky.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found atBenefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

Equal Opportunity Employer

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