Scientific Programmer/Analyst

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) is hiring an experienced Scientific Programmer/Analyst to join the Software Integration Group, supporting a Science Data System (SDS) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. The SDS uses advanced science algorithms to generate massive Earth Science datasets from multiple NASA and international satellite platforms.

The selected candidate will work with the integration Lead, science teams, and peers to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Integrate science algorithms and perform unit and integration tests.
• Make code deliveries to the Configuration Manager (CM) and get them baselined.
• Troubleshoot and debug science code and processing scripts.
• Maintain orphaned science algorithms and code new algorithms, as and when needed.
• Investigate ways to optimize and automate existing workflows, employing new techniques and tools.

Required Qualifications:

• M.S. degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Mathematics, any branches of Physical Sciences, or Engineering from an accredited institution. Greater experience in lieu of degree will also be duly considered.
• At least 4 years of experience developing and troubleshooting science codes and algorithms in research institutions or other federal agencies. A flair for scientific computing and optimizing workflows will be highly valued. You must enjoy sniffing around code and looking for solutions. This is not a typical software engineer role so please don't apply if you are looking for a software engineering position.
• Proven competency in programming and data processing in the remote sensing domain.
• Minimum of 4 years of programming and scripting experience in one or more of these languages, including C, C++, Perl, Python, Bash.
• Good working understanding of databases like Postgres, and conversant with SQL.
• Working knowledge of code versioning systems like Git and GitLab.
• Self-motivated and agile and ever-ready to learn from peers, through self-study, and implement new concepts and techniques.
• Strong attention to detail, and the ability to successfully engage in multiple critical projects with competing priorities, and with minimal supervision.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Theoretical understanding of Remote Sensing concepts and data acquisition.
• Familiarity with common spatial data formats like HDF4, HDF5 and NetCDF4.
• Working knowledge of common open-source spatial data handling tools like GDAL, OGR, CDO etc.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus