JavaScript and Web Developer

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 late 2020s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of leading universities and research institutions representing five countries, 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 Giant Magellan Telescope’s (GMT) Software and Controls (SWC) team is pursuing a highly qualified JavaScript and Web Developer to work on the user interfaces for the Observatory Control System (OCS) and different Device Control System (DCS) for the observatory subsystems.

Reporting to the Software and Controls Manager, the JavaScript and Web Developer will be part of the Software and Controls (SWC) team and will be responsible to design, implement and test JavaScript and web applications to support the development of applications and tools for the GMT user interface. This position requires strong JavaScript programming skills for back-end and front-end applications and be able to work in a team development environment.

The JavaScript and Web Developer will work closely with the software architects and other software developers to provide high-quality software to the developers and end users of the GMT Control System.

In order to be able to recommend and implement innovative solutions the JavaScript and Web Developer is expected to keep up to date with current trends and tools in user interface and web development tools.

• Design and implement JavaScript web applications, frameworks and npm packages
• Design and implement user interfaces for control systems and observatory software
• Develop tools using the GMT software architecture and existing javascript frameworks
• Work collaboratively with the architecture and development teams
• Follow coding standards, builds unit tests, integration tests and deployment scripts
• Prototype/translate designs and style guides into functional user interfaces
• Create requirements, design and test documentation
• Perform training and support to end users
• Install and setup required software
• Provide reports on progress and problems
• Write technical reports, manuals and support documentation
• Prepare and deliver presentations at project reviews and conferences
• Support developers and community on support forums, mailing lists, wikis, etc.

• MS degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline
• Proven experience developing with JavaScript and Node.js
• Familiarity with the NPM ecosystem and JS build systems (Babel/Webpack/Snowpack/Rollup)
• Familiarity with Declarative UI programming (React, Vue, Svelte, Rx, lit-html, Stencil) and state management solutions (Redux, Flux, Vuex)
• Familiarity with Web Components, SASS, CSS and CSS in JS
• Experience developing complex single page applications (SPA)
• Experience developing with Electron
• Knowledge of User Interface Design Patterns
• Knowledge of Component-based Software Engineering
• Experience with web services, REST API’s and WebSocket
• Knowledge of client server and internet systems architectures
• Experience in agile projects
• Knowledge of Mac (Unix) and Linux and networked applications
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to work with cross-functional work teams and users
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness and ability to travel to foreign and domestic vendor, partner, and observatory locations as the need arises

• JavaScript family languages (e.g. Coffee Script, TypeScript)
• JSON, XML, JSX
• Experience with UML
• Experience with Model Based Software Engineering based on DSLs
• Previous experience in telescopes or related sciences is a plus

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

GMTO has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective March 14, 2022, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees (with GMTO-approved exemptions for religious or medical reasons only). At present, an individual is deemed “fully vaccinated” for Covid-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine. GMTO management may revise the definition of Fully Vaccinated in this Policy based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force or other relevant Government or Health agencies. Any changes will be communicated to all employees before its effective date.

As a condition of employment, employees must submit official COVID-19 vaccine documentation.

$105,000- $135,000

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 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.