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Job Summary
IPAC at Caltech is seeking an Applications Developer to join the User Interface development staff of the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (IRSA). Come be a part of the team that is helping astronomers and data scientists worldwide access and explore IRSA’s petabyte archives of astronomy data.
IPAC, in the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech, provides science operations, user support, and data and archive services to enable discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground. IRSA (http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu) is the steward of scientific data sets, ancillary data products, and documentation delivered by NASA's Infrared and Sub-millimeter missions, operating petabyte-scale archives, multi-billion–row databases, and a suite of tools for accessing, visualizing, and analyzing data from leading space and ground-based astronomical facilities.
This role focuses on hands-on web development with a collaborative team to create data access tools that help scientists search, visualize, and analyze IRSA’s petabyte-scale astronomical data. The position offers opportunities to grow technical skills, work closely with experienced developers and scientists, and gain exposure to large-scale scientific data systems within a research institution that values collaboration, sustainable workloads, and long-term professional development.
Essential Job Duties
As an IPAC Applications Developer, you will work with a team of developers creating front-end web applications used by scientists to find, access, and utilize data from IRSA’s vast holdings of astronomy mission data. You will collaborate with the engineering and scientific staff on UI tool development tasks. Key responsibilities of this position include:
- Contribute to the development and evolution of IRSA archive user tools in collaboration with scientific stakeholders and project team members.
- Develop and improve web user interfaces and interactive data analysis tools to help scientists combine, extract, visualize, and exploit information from archived datasets.
- Develop and integrate interfaces to efficient search and retrieval tools that front IRSA’s holdings.
- Interpret and implement project requirements under guidance from senior developers and project leads, and ensure appropriate documentation of delivered work.
- Other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications
If you have the following in your background, then we want to hear about your interest in joining our team:
- Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in a technical field such as Computer Science, Engineering, Astronomy, Physics, Math, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience as a software developer in a Unix/Linux/OSX environment.
- Proficiency in Java and/or JavaScript. Experience with concurrent or asynchronous programming concepts.
- Demonstrated ability with JavaScript frameworks such as React and Redux or similar frameworks, and related web technologies such as HTML, JSON, CSS, and WebSocket.
- Familiarity with software configuration management principles and tools, source code version control (e.g. Git/GitHub) and issue/bug tracking systems (e.g. Jira).
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment and communicate effectively across various technical levels, including good written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Some or all of the following skills and experiences are preferred and will enhance success in this role:
- Master’s degree in a computing‑related discipline, including relevant coursework such as advanced web technologies, user interface design, scientific data visualization, databases, or large‑scale data systems, particularly as applied to scientific research.
- Proficiency in Python.
- Experience working with Tomcat, Java, multi-threaded programming, and client-server design and communication.
- Experience working with scientific data sets and use cases.
- Experience working with databases.
Required Documents
- Full resume.
- Short cover letter.
Application Details
This is an on-site position at the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California. There will be some allowability for remote work (typically two days per week depending on operational needs). Depending on start date, an initial remote working arrangement may be considered for up to three months.
Applications are due by 4/3/2026.
Life at IPAC
People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and the casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and positive relationships. IPAC emphasizes sustainable workloads and a healthy work–life balance. Most staff work a daytime schedule, with after-hours work infrequent and typically limited to exceptional situations requiring immediate attention. We support ongoing professional development, including training, conferences, and skill development aligned with both institutional needs and individual career goals.
