Software Developer

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

 

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

 

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

 

City: Penticton 

Organizational Unit: Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics 

Classification: CS-2 

Tenure: Term 

Duration: 2 Years

Language Requirements: English  

 

Work Arrangements: 

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework). Employees in this position who telework will be required to travel to the identified work site at least three times per week or a minimum of 60% of their regular work schedule at their own expense.

 

At NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the hiring team using the contact information below.

• While the official location of work for this position will be an NRC facility within Canada, the option of an offsite or a hybrid work arrangement (a combination of working onsite and offsite) may be possible.

 

 

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC). As Canada’s leading research and technology organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

 

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The Role

We are looking for a Software Developer to support our Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. The Software Developer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

 

Join the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre (CADC) development team, and help build the software and infrastructure than enables worldwide scientific discovery.  The CADC is a world leader in providing access to astronomical data and catalogs, including ALMA, JWST, Hubble, CFHT, and Gemini, and for the development and operation of the Canadian Advanced Network for Astronomical Research (CANFAR)--a cloud computing platform for astronomy research.  The CADC is looking ahead to two major international telescope collaborations that will bring new and exciting technical challenges: the Rubin Observatory and, in particular, the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO).

 

The successful candidates will become part of a diverse team of twenty CADC computer scientists and astronomers, developing advanced solutions to support world class science and deliver services for processing data from the world's largest telescopes.  You will become integral members of the CADC software development team, working within an Agile methodology, designing, developing, and maintaining software and infrastructure that enables next-generation data driven astronomical discovery.

 

For this position, we are looking for a  junior developer with specific knowledge and experience in  cloud engineering.

 

In addition to the challenging and rewarding development duties, we offer: 

• A healthy and balanced work environment.
• A collaborative environment: at the CADC, your ideas are listened to, respected and important.
• NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, parental leave, flexible working hours, the possibility of a hybrid working model, vacation and other leave entitlements.  
• A variety of mentoring programs are available.

About the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre

We are Canada's gateway to the stars. At the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre, we maintain and operate Canada's largest and most powerful observatories and represent the country in some of the world's leading astronomy initiatives. We are astronomy and astrophysics experts, conducting cutting-edge research, operating Canada's national observatories, providing extensive data management and analysis tools through our Canadian Astronomy Data Centre, supporting activities at international observatories and developing advanced astronomical instruments with industrial partners.

 

More…

Why Work With Us

The Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre is committed to creating an inclusive environment for research, learning and service. We value the merit of a diverse community of staff, students and collaborators. We can offer technical and advisory services in optical and radio astronomy, advanced instrumentation and data science.

 

Technological expertise:

• Adaptive optics
• Data archiving and science platforms
• Digital signal processing
• Electrical engineering
• Instrumentation science
• Manufacturing and machining
• Mechanical engineering
• Millimetre-wave technology
• Optical engineering
• Project management
• Radio engineering
• Software, controls and machine learning
   

Scientific expertise:

• Exoplanets
• Galaxy evolution
• History of Canadian astronomy
• Milky Way and neighbouring galaxies
• Protostars and proto-planetary disks
• Star and galaxy clusters
• Variable and transient astronomical sources
• Magnetism
• The interstellar medium
• Supernova remnants
• The outer solar system

About Penticton

Nestled between two lakes, Penticton enjoys long, hot summers, dry winters and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. We’re located in the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, which is easily accessed by major highways and airports. 

 

We're known for our beaches, wine and orchards, not to mention a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Hop on your bike to discover award-winning wineries and trails with stellar views. Shop at the bustling outdoor market, peruse art galleries or go skating at the modern Community Centre. Ski champagne powder slopes or take in a hockey game or concert at the South Okanagan Events Centre. 

 

Penticton is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. Its name, from the Interior Salish word snpintktn, is commonly translated as "a place to stay forever," or more accurately, “a place where people live year-round.” It’s the kind of place where people come to visit for the holidays – and never want to leave. 

 

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Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in Computer Science, Engineering (with computational component), or a related discipline, with 2 years of recent and relevant software development experience in a team environment.
• A graduate degree from a recognized university in Astronomy or a related discipline with 2 years of recent and relevant software development experience in a team environment, would be strongly considered.
• The equivalency of a diploma from a recognized college or post-secondary institute in a software development related field combined with extensive (minimum 5 years) experience in a team environment may be considered for any candidates who self-declare as being part of one or more of the following EDI categories: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons

 

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

We are seeking candidates with recent* experience in the following:

1. Experience participating in a full software development lifecycle (such as gathering requirements, design, code reviews, development and testing, etc.) in a team environment.
2. Experience working and developing software in a Linux operating system (or similar) environment.
3. Experience programming in Python, Java, or a similar language.
4. Minimum of 2 years experience working in a team environment with involvement in a DevOps/Cloud engineering role.
5. Experience building and running software containers (such as Docker) as services in orchestration environments (such as Kubernetes).
6. Experience using tools and technology, such as Jenkins or Github actions, to enable automations of processes and workflows.

 

* Recent is defined as experience acquired within the last three (3) years.

 

Assets:

Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:

1. Cloud technologies, distributed storage, and/or batch processing.
2. Database modelling and programming with databases such as PostgreSQL and/or large-scale database systems.
3. Version control systems such as Git and GitHub.
4. Authentication, authorization, and identity management mechanisms and standards.
5. Designing or developing within service-oriented software architectures.
6. Working with large datasets.
7. Developing software and/or infrastructure enabling astronomy or other science.

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

Language Requirements

English  

 

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical Competencies

1. Knowledge and ability working within Agile development methodologies in a team environment.
2. Ability to write software and software tests.
3. Ability to build, deploy, and test containers.
4. Ability to automate processes.
5. Ability to communicate and convey complex ideas to peers.
6. Ability to diagnose software problems, analyze them systematically, and present different solutions and their benefits and/or disadvantages.

Behavioural Competencies

• Technology extension - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 1)
• Technology extension - Communication (Level 2)
• Technology extension - Teamwork (Level 1)
• Technology extension - Self-knowing and self-development (Level 1)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Technology Extension

 

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $84,807 to $105,949 per annum. 

 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

How to Apply

• Please provide a cover letter telling us how you feel you meet the experience and, if applicable, the experience asset criteria of the position. Technical and Behavioural competencies will be assessed at a later date.
• URLs to code repositories or websites may be provided as samples of previous work.  These can be included in the cover letter, provided separately, or not at all.
• A current CV must be provided.
• Two or three letters of reference will be requested from short-listed applicants.

Notes

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

 

 

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (22748) to:

E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Telephone: 343-990-7339 

Closing Date: 10 February 2025 - 23:59 Eastern Time

 

 

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

 

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.