Telescope-Systems Software Controls Engineer

W. M. Keck Observatory; Waimea/Kamuela (HI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

4 weeks vacation

403(b) plan

Tuition assistance

Job summary

W. M. Keck Observatory is seeking a Software Controls Engineer II to turn napkin sketches into real, working features for our telescope control software.

You will collaborate with multiple engineering teams to build reliable, scalable software that interfaces with hardware and EPICS-based systems. The role emphasizes code quality, constructive reviews, and ongoing growth in new tools and areas, with a friendly, often humorous workplace vibe.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or equivalent in CS/Engineering/Physics/Math.
• 3–7 years of experience in developing code 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 OO paradigm and design patterns.

Responsibilities

• Turn ideas into clean, reliable, scalable software for telescopes.
• Review code constructively and collaborate across engineering disciplines.
• Grow technical and professional chops and explore new tools and areas.
• Work with others to implement software systems in EPICS and hardware interfaces.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Databases

TCP/IP networking

GUI toolkits

OO design patterns

Education

BS in CS/CE/Physics/Math

Tools

Qt

React

Job description

W. M. Keck Observatory is seeking a Software Controls Engineer II to turn napkin sketches into real, working features for our telescope control software.

You will collaborate with multiple engineering teams to build reliable, scalable software that interfaces with hardware and EPICS-based systems. The role emphasizes code quality, constructive reviews, and ongoing growth in new tools and areas, with a friendly, often humorous workplace vibe.