Research Software and Data Engineer

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD

ID: 7270442
Posted: August 6, 2024
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

Campus/College Information:
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The Research Computing team, part of the Advanced Cyber Infrastructure and Internet Global Services (ACIGS) unit, designs and supports advanced technology systems and services used by researchers at UMD – a top 20 public research institution.

The Research Software and Data Engineer will play a key role in designing, implementing, and supporting research cyberinfrastructure, software, and data facing solutions. This position is part of an initiative to expand support for Security, Privacy, Assessment, Risk, and Compliance services.

The Research Software and Data Engineer will work with researchers day-to-day to design, plan, and implement secure, compliant, and well-engineered applications, software, data workflows, and data science focused solutions that enrich research productivity, reliability, and reproducibility. They will be part of short- to long-term projects, support university research applications, e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, Mathematica, etc, and offer a wide range of related workshops/training. The work will also include assisting with data management plans, and creating project specific as well as general support documentation. The engineer will follow good coding practices (sprints, code reviews, testing), and bring a mature project management aspect to research software work on campus, helping to define work breakdowns and timelines and use tools like code repositories and issue trackers.

This engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams on issues related to security, privacy, risk management, and compliance. Working with SPARCS analysts, the engineer will collaboratively design technology solutions for unique research needs and help researchers navigate the tools, processes, and services needed through the entire research data lifecycle.

The Research Software and Data Engineer should have a thorough knowledge of the research software lifecycle and software engineering practices, data science methods, and be able to communicate technical and non-technical information successfully. The engineer will have had exposure to data privacy, IT security, and compliance topics specific to higher education.

As a Research Computing team member, they will provide technical expertise and insight to teams and projects alongside research programs, collaborate across multiple units in the Division of IT and the university, and influence research technology practices in higher education nationally. This position is considered an essential position and may be required to work at the normal work location or an alternative location during a major catastrophic event, weather emergency, or other operational emergencies to help maintain continuity of University services
Benefits Summary Top Benefits and Perks:
Exempt Benefits Summary

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:
One to four years experience supporting research computing systems and software or working in software and data engineering environments.
Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Software Engineering: Experience using software engineering best practices and tools (sprints, code review, using code repositories, using issue trackers)
Data Science: experience working in roles or on projects that required data science techniques
Experience designing and implementing computing infrastructure (selecting system components such as CPU, GPU, storage)
Basic knowledge of network and security protocols, policies, and standards.
Skilled with modern languages such as Python, R, or C++, and Linux command line.
Cybersecurity: knowledge of IT security techniques and controls for protecting data confidentiality; knowledge of Secure by Design concepts
Communication Skills: Able to communicate effectively to large and small audiences of technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Preferences:
Preferences:
Proficient in developing research-focused software applications using secure and modern software development tools and practices.
Demonstrated success in system administration and IT infrastructure design, implementation, and operations
Experience with developing data analysis and/or data management pipelines in high-level scripting languages.
Experience with the management or coordination of research software development projects, particularly in an open source/community context.
Strong understanding of network and security protocols, policies, and standards.
Familiarity with building and supporting Science Gateways
Proficiency with creating and using software containers (with, e.g., Docker, Singularity, or a similar tool), and/or creating workflows using these tools.
Developing and optimizing software for use on GPUs in either a compiled or interpreted programming language (using, e.g., CUDA, PyCUDA, SYCL, Kokkos, OpenACC).
Knowledge of Chapel, Julia programming languages
Experience using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence techniques to solve scientific problems
Experience with research proposal development and/or coordination.
Experience implementing/operating with controls for NIST SP 800-171, HIPAA Security and Privacy rules, or similar levels of security and compliance.
Additional Certifications:
Additional Information:
Benefits Included:
Medical, dental, and vision coverage designed to help you and your family live a healthy lifestyle.
Flexible work opportunities
UMCP Tuition Remission for employees, and their dependents to grow and achieve greatness.
Generous paid time off package to address work/life balance and maintain well-being.
Retirement Benefits created to aid employees in reaching future retirement goals.
And many more…

Salary range $105,000-$125,000

**This position does not provide sponsorship for Visas.
Job Risks Not Applicable to This Position
Physical Demands
Sedentary work.
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
Must be able to attend meetings on campus.
Some evening and weekend work might be required.
This position is considered an essential position and may be required to work at the normal work location or an alternative location during a major catastrophic event, weather emergency, or other operational emergencies to help maintain continuity of University services.