Software Controls Engineer

Digitailor; Hawaii; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive starting salary

4 weeks annual paid vacation

8% 403(b) employer contribution

Tuition assistance for dependents

Health insurance

Relocation support

Job summary

W. M. Keck Observatory is seeking a Software Engineer II to transform napkin sketches into reliable, scalable software interfacing with observing tools and data systems.

You will collaborate across engineering teams, review code, and advance your expertise in EPICS, control systems, and modern software practices while enjoying a generous benefits package and relocation support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor in CS/CE/Physics or related field
• 3–7 years building software for observing/tools or data tools
• Python applications and hardware interfaces
• Change control, build and release processes
• Unix/Linux shell scripting
• Experience with RS-232/485/422, SPI, I2C
• Reuse and testable software practices
• Database design and TCP/IP networking
• OS administration fundamentals
• C/C++, Python, databases
• UI development with Java/Qt/React or GUI toolkits
• OOP and design patterns

Responsibilities

• Turn ideas into clean, reliable, scalable software
• Collaborate with multiple engineering disciplines
• Review code constructively and respectfully
• Grow technical and professional chops
• Leverage EPICS or related control systems when applicable

Skills

Python programming

C/C++

Unix/Linux

Embedded systems

OOP design

TCP/IP networking

GUI toolkits

Version control

Education

Bachelor of Science in CS/CE/Physics

Tools

RS-232/485/422

SPI

I2C

EPICS

Job description

Join us as our newest Software Engineer II and make code that even our telescopes admire! Are you someone who genuinely enjoys solving problems—even the weird ones that start with “so… this only happens on Tuesdays?” Do you ask good questions, share ideas freely, and collaborate without ego? Do you communicate clearly, write code thoughtfully, and aren’t afraid to admit when you don’t know something? Do you appreciate a workplace where the vibe is friendly, the work is interesting, and humor is very welcome? What the Software Engineer II Does: The Software Engineer II spends their days turning ideas into clean, reliable, scalable software—preferably without summoning any new and exciting bugs. They work with friendly humans across multiple engineering disciplines to transform napkin sketches and ambitious brainstorms into real, working features. They review code (theirs and others’) in a way that is constructive, kind, and ideally free of passive-aggressive comments. They have room to stretch into new areas, experiment with tools they’re curious about, and grow their technical and professional chops along the way. They may also use previous robotics or control systems experiences to understand what design tradeoffs that may exist when updating our software systems implemented in EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System). Tapping into any knowledge or previous experiences with motors and electric drives, embedded systems, or DFx would also help out greatly.

In This Role

the Software Engineer II genuinely enjoys solving problems—even the weird ones that start with “so… this only happens on Tuesdays.” They ask good questions, share ideas freely, and collaborate without ego. On a daily basis they communicate clearly, write code thoughtfully, and aren’t afraid to admit when you don’t know something. They appreciate a workplace where the vibe is friendly, the work is interesting, and humor is very welcome. Why Choose W. M. Keck Observatory: Competitive starting salary Generous benefits package, including 4 weeks of annual paid vacation A robust 8% 403(b) employer contribution (with a 4% employee contribution) Tuition assistance for dependent children grades K-12 attending private school on Hawai’i Island Comprehensive, employer provided health insurance We offer relocation support for candidates moving from outside the area. Be a part of a dedicated team working on the frontiers of astronomy. Required

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science or equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or other relevant engineering or science field 3-7 years of experience in developing code used for observing tools, data tools, and/or general software development Practical experience creating software applications with Python Software applications with hardware interfaces Practical experience of change control, build and release management processes Unix/Linux shell scripting Experience with communication protocols (RS-232/485/422, SPI, I2C) Broad knowledge of modern software engineering practices, especially in areas of re-use and testability Good knowledge of database design TCP/IP networking Fundamental operating system administration Competency in C/C++, Python, databases User interface development with Java, Qt, React, or other GUI toolkits Competency using O-O paradigm and design patterns