Scientific Instrumentation Software Engineer

The Giant Magellan Telescope is the most powerful ground-based telescope ever engineered. It was designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and discover the unknown. With unmatched image quality, seven of the world’s largest mirrors will launch our view into the universe to uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets for the first time.

The 30-meter class telescope is under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth to view the heavens. From this unrivaled vantage into the southern sky, the Giant Magellan Telescope will produce the sharpest and most detailed images ever taken of our universe.

When complete in the early 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of 15 research institutions representing Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, and is managed by the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We solve the most difficult engineering challenges and scientific questions with talented individuals who share a passion for revolutionizing humanity’s knowledge of the universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on astronomy’s future and beyond.

The Universe Awaits™

Software and Controls

Software and Controls Manager

The GMTO Software and Controls team develops the control systems, frameworks and applications that will enable the observatory to operate safely and efficiently, including telescope operation and control, observation scheduling and execution, data management, observatory configuration and monitoring, and operation user interfaces.

We are seeking a versatile and collaborative Scientific Instrumentation Software Engineer to support the development and integration of complex astronomical instruments for the Giant Magellan Telescope. In this unique role, you will work directly with external scientific instrumentation teams to help them design and build their instrument control systems using the GMT Software Development Kit (SDK) for successful integration with the Observatory Control System. This position bridges software engineering, systems thinking, and scientific domain knowledge. You’ll contribute to the definition of control interfaces, participate in design reviews, support integration and testing, and ensure that instruments are successfully commissioned and operated as part of GMT. This role is ideal for someone with a background in both software engineering and astronomy or physics, who thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration and building reliable systems for scientific discovery.

• Collaborate with external instrument teams to develop and integrate their device control software using the GMT SDK and following the Software and Controls standards.
• Assist in the design and implementation of operations support packages, including data processing pipelines, calibration tools, proposal preparation tools and data analysis software.
• Assist in defining and documenting control system interfaces and integration requirements.
• Provide guidance and hands-on support in implementing control and data acquisition systems for scientific instruments.
• Conduct code reviews, write unit tests, and participate in continuous integration to ensure software quality and adherence to coding standards and architectural guidelines.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation such as design documents, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), user guides, code examples, trade studies and test reports.
• Work closely with the Software and Controls team to integrate instrument software into the broader Observatory Control System.
• Contribute to software validation, integration testing, and commissioning of instruments at the observatory.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the observatory’s software frameworks, tools and processes, and help instrument teams adopt them effectively.
• Willingness and ability to travel to foreign and domestic vendors, partners, and observatory locations as the need arises.

• Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Astronomy, Physics or related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years’ experience developing control, data acquisition or data processing software for scientific systems.
• Strong foundation in Computer Science and Software Engineering principles, including data structures, algorithms, design patterns, object-oriented programming, functional programming, and general best practices.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, and Javascript programming languages, and Linux environments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to demonstrate analysis of complex technical issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with team members and external stakeholders.

• Experience with telescope instrumentation, astronomical control systems or data management.
• Knowledge of observatory operations, commissioning processes, or calibration pipelines.
• Experience working with detectors, vacuum systems, cryogenics, and/or motion control devices.
• Familiarity with real-time systems, device communication protocols, or hardware-software integration.
• Understanding of system and software architecture in distributed or modular systems.
• Experience with Software Framework design and development.
• Experience working in Agile or Scrum-based teams.
• Experience using Git or other version control systems in a collaborative environment.
• Knowledge in software testing strategies, techniques, and tools, including test-driven development and regression testing.
• Ability to analyze complex systems and identify potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement.

• Normal open-plan office environment.
• Access to the Server Room and Electronics lab for prototyping and testing.
• Occasional trips to foreign and domestic vendors, partners, and observatory locations.

No special physical requirements

No direct reports

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance

$135,000- $170,000

The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.

To apply send your resume or CV and a cover letter to careers@gmto.org.

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation Human Resources Representative.