Lead Software Developers (Two Vacancies)

Date Posted: 01/14/2025
Req ID: 41215
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Dunlap Inst. for Astronomy & Astrophysic
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: [[43089 & 57613]]

Description:

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics is one of the leading research centres for astronomy in Canada. Located at one of the top research universities, our institute retains reputable faculty, students and staff, all of whom are committed to innovation, public outreach and cutting-edge research. Our institute’s field of research covers a multitude of subject matter across the universe, such as galaxy evolution and dark energy. We are dedicated to making our education, training, and activities pleasant and welcoming for all.

Your opportunity:

This is a two-year term position with the possibility of renewal/extension.

Under the direction of the Canadian Data Intensive Astrophysics Platform (canDIAPL, pronounced “candy apple”) co-PIs Renee Hlozek and Kristine Spekkens, and in close collaboration with the Project Manager at the University of Toronto, the incumbent is responsible for acting as the lead software developer for the “Real Time Analysis” or “Dynamic Data Sets” component of CanDIAPL, which is a major scientific nationwide project funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to convert the enormous raw data streams from next-generation optical and radio telescopes into sophisticated digital databases that astronomers can use to make new discoveries.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Analyzing, recommending, and designing highly complex software architecture
• Reconciling business requirements with information architecture needs for highly complex system integration
• Designing, testing, and modifying programming code
• Evaluating programming code to ensure it has validity, compatibility, and that it meets appropriate standards
• Leading and planning IT projects
• Developing project schedules including milestones, critical path, timelines, deliverables and reporting
• Coordinating tasks for projects and other strategic initiatives with stakeholders
• Serving as an expert resource to a group of professionals in the specialty

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or an equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of recent and related experience in software development and software product management
• Experience in managing and offering technical advice to a team of software developers
• Experience in Linux, Unix or Apple OSX
• Experience eliciting, expressing, prioritizing and analyzing user requirements, functional requirements, non-functional product requirements and external interfaces
• Experience with relational database design and maintenance
• Experience in interpreting raw data streams from radio telescopes or similar data
• Experience in high performance computing, especially involving massively parallel applications
• Experience with cluster computing and job scheduling systems (e.g. Slurm, HTCondor), containerization (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud infrastructures (e.g. OpenStack, AWS).
• Strong debugging/bug-tracking/code review/documentation experience
• Advanced programming skills in Python and C++
• Excellent software project management skills
• Advanced skills in Git or similar version control system
• Superior problem solving and analytical ability
• Demonstrated sensitivity to organizational priorities with the ability to multi-task
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate and explain technical issues to non-technical users in a clear and precise manner
• Demonstrated ability to work well as a team member and independently
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-pressure environment

Assets (Nonessential):

• Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or relevant field
• Experience in interpreting raw data streams from radio or optical telescopes or similar data
• PMP certification

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Proactive
• Problem solver
• Self-directed

Notes:

• This is a two-year term position with the possibility of renewal/extension.
• This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 02/05/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 16 -- $101,539. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $129,851. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Information Technology (IT)
Lived Experience Statement:

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.