
Testbed Scientific Applications Programmer
- Boulder, CO
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Develop and maintain full-stack software applications that integrate front-end interfaces with backend services and scientific processing tools.
- Write, debug, and optimize code for space weather model I/O, data processing, and automated workflows using modern development frameworks.
- Create web-based dashboards, user interfaces, and visualization components using HTML5, JavaScript, and modern frontend libraries.
- Design backend services and APIs (RESTful or equivalent) that support real-time data exchange, containerized services, and workflow management.
- Support containerization of applications using tools such as Docker to ensure reproducibility, scalability, and cloud readiness.
- Participate in the setup and execution of testbed experiments, including the integration of model output, observational data, and prototype tools.
- Conduct routine data analysis and quality control to support model verification, system diagnostics, and operational transition planning.
- Collaborate with testbed staff, research scientists, and operational forecasters to gather requirements and refine specifications for prototype and production tools.
- Apply version control best practices (e.g., Git) and participate in code reviews to ensure maintainable, well-documented software that is sustainable beyond production implementation.
- Develop, train and maintain technical documentation for applications, APIs, workflows, and experiments.
- A Bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science, space physics, geophysics, engineering, computer science, or mathematics from an accredited institution.
- 5+ years of experience.
- Demonstrated experience or coursework in scientific programming using languages such as Python, JavaScript,C/C++ and visualization languages like CSS and HTML5
- Familiarity with Linux-based operating environments, basic shell scripting, and version control tools (e.g., Git).
- Basic understanding of front-end and back-end development principles and experience with at least one modern web framework (e.g., React, Flask, Node.js).
- Ability to follow detailed technical guidance, manage tasks with supervision, and communicate effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong analytical and communication skills for processing numerical data and conveying software requirements.
- Exposure to containerization tools (e.g., Docker) or high-performance computing (HPC) workflows.
- Familiarity with space weather or atmospheric modeling frameworks and standard geophysical data formats (e.g., NetCDF).
- Experience designing or implementing RESTful APIs and integrating data pipelines into cloud environments.
- Understanding of the research-to-operations (R2O) process in a government or scientific testbed environment.
- Interest in creating intuitive user interfaces and visualization tools for scientific datasets or operational use.
- Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
- Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
- Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
- Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
- 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Life and accident insurance
- Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
- Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
- Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
- Employee Referral Program
- Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
- Personalized career growth plans for every employee