At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.
Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!
This role would be ideal for Software Developers with a background in real time control and monitoring systems.
The Role
The SKA Computing and Software team are looking for two talented Software Engineers to work under the supervision of the Control System Architect and alongside other engineers to ensure that the Control Systems for the two SKA telescopes are developed to the highest standards, contributing technical expertise to software development teams working on control systems.
As a Controls Software Engineer you will be working with other developers at SKA development sites around the world (especially SKAO and SKA precursors). You will be reporting to the SKA Controls System Architect and you will be working as part of a SCRUM team in our SAFe software development organisation.
The SKA Telescope monitoring and control systems are based on the Tango Control System Framework (https://www.tango-controls.org/) and the candidate will also closely interact with the open source community developing the framework.
In your role, we will support the development of your skills with training in the most relevant scientific and technical aspects of your role, and you will have the opportunity to work closely with more experienced software engineers. Working at SKAO also presents many chances to join conferences and industry events that relate to your role and your professional interests.
This role will be based at the SKAO Global Headquarters at the iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire, UK.
SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.
This role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
The main functions of this role will be to:
- Work as part of an agile software development team to deliver and maintain the operational Controls System software as a subsystem of the SKA telescopes.
- Work within the SKA Observation Monitoring and Control Agile Release Train in coordination with the Control System Architect and other Control System Engineers.
- Actively participate in the software development activity by writing and reviewing code.
- Play an active role in the TANGO Collaboration and in the SKA Tango Community of Practice by contributing to the development of future versions of the TANGO framework in adherence with SKA necessities.
- Collaborate with other software development teams based in the SKAO member countries.
- Occasionally travel internationally as required (typically for up to one week, 2-3 times per year).
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the line manager or senior management.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate will bring to the team:
- Experience of software and systems engineering applied to the development of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.
- Expertise in at least one of C++ and Python software development in a GNU/Linux environment. The candidate is encouraged to provide evidence in the form of publicly available code if and where possible.
- Understanding of the software development life cycle, based on common code versioning tools like Git, with particular attention to quality aspects, testing and configuration management.
- Ability to work constructively with agile teams around the world towards a shared vision for SKA controls.
- Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively to meet competing deadlines.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate would also be:
- Willing to work based on lean/agile principles adopting DevOps practices.
- Familiar with the TANGO toolkit, including TANGO device development, and TANGO client-side tools.
- Have a working knowledge of virtualisation and containerisation technologies.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.
The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.
