Engineer - Assoc Level

JOB SUMMARY: The SIREN Engineer will support the technical execution of advanced ground software systems supporting NASA Innovation Lab with the U.S. Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) Program. This role is responsible for supporting development and test of the Search and Rescue Intelligence for REscue Navigation (SIREN) software development effort and its integration into existing Search and Rescue (SAR) systems.

The role focuses on developing and testing the software and data integration capabilities that enable AI/ML models to identify beacon false alerts and improve distress beacon location accuracy by fusing data from multiple internal and external sources and delivering actionable insights to mission users. Location: This is a hybrid position requiring on-site support at Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) at least 1 day per week (subject to change), with the remaining days worked remotely from home.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Data Integration and Processing

• Develop integrations with SARSAT registration databases, incident history systems, external APIs, and other internal and external data sources.
• Analyze and profile SARSAT data using Python-based tools to support identification of relevant data attributes, ML features, and modeling approaches.
• Develop data transformation and validation processes to ensure data quality, consistency, and reliability throughout the application workflow.
• Troubleshoot data integration and processing issues across multiple data sources and systems.

Software Development

• Design, develop, and maintain modular Python components and services supporting the integration, processing, and analysis of SARSAT data.
• Develop Jupyter Notebooks and Python-based analysis tools to explore and analyze SARSAT data in support of AI/ML development.
• Develop application interfaces and services that enable data to be processed through AI/ML models and deliver model-generated insights to end users.
• Implement application functionality using established software development practices, including version control, code reviews, documentation, logging, and error handling.
• Participate in Scrum ceremonies, technical discussions, design reviews, and other collaborative software development activities.

Software Testing

• Develop and maintain automated unit and integration tests in Python to validate application functionality and data-processing workflows.
• Develop test cases and test data to validate integrations with databases, APIs, external systems, and other software components.
• Support comprehensive system, use-case, and user acceptance testing to verify application functionality and end-to-end workflows.
• Troubleshoot and resolve defects identified through automated, integration, system, and acceptance testing.
• Work with cloud-based services and environments to support repeatable, high-fidelity system integration and testing.

Integration and Deployment

• Support application testing and deployment through automated CI/CD pipelines and containerized environments.
• Develop and maintain data and application interfaces that enable SIREN to exchange information with external systems.
• Develop and support user interfaces and application services used to present processed data and AI/ML-generated insights to Coast Guard and Air Force Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs).

REQUIREMENTS:

Development Expertise

• Proficiency in Python and experience developing maintainable, production-quality applications.
• Experience with python libraries, such as Pandas and NumPy, for data ingestion, transformation, and processing.
• Proven experience developing modular software systems to support integrations with databases, APIs, and other data sources.
• Experience working with common data formats such as JSON, CSV, and other structured or semi-structured data.
• Experience with code documentation, error handling, logging, configuration management, and other practices required for reliable production applications.

Testing Expertise

• Experience with unit testing and integration testing.
• Experience developing and maintaining automated tests for Python applications using PyTest and/or unittest.
• Experience using mocks and stubs to isolate software interfaces, classes, APIs, and external dependencies during testing.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, including automated build and test workflows in GitLab.

Tools & Collaboration

• Experience with Git-based development workflows, including branching, merging, pull/merge requests, and code reviews.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and command-line development environments.
• Familiarity with Docker and containerized application development and deployment.
• Experience troubleshooting software issues using logs, debugging tools, and other development utilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative software development environment and communicate technical issues and solutions clearly.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: 1-3 years of relevant experience.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: US Citizenship is required, and Section 508 (Agency Standards) is applicable. Ability to obtain required National Agency Check (NAC) clearance.

Qualifications

ABOUT US: At MCSG Technologies, we believe the path to success begins by empowering our employees to do what is best for our customers. This helps create value for our customers and business partners through efficiencies and cost-effective relationships that are built on trust, while delivering on-time and within budget. Our company ethos is simple Empowered to serve our customers, our communities, our colleagues. If you would like to learn more, please visit our website at www.mcsgtech.com or find us on Glassdoor.

BENEFITS OFFERED: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, parental leave, paid time off, holidays and more. Learn more about MCSG Technologies benefits: https://www.mcsgtech.com/benefits/.

COLORADO'S EQUAL PAY ACT: In compliance with Colorados Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; MCSG Technologies considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

EOE STATEMENT: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)