Software Developer (IT Specialist)

The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the single worldwide location for receipt and distribution of positional measurements of minor planets, comets and outer irregular natural satellites of the major planets. The MPC is responsible for the identification, designation and orbit computation for all of these objects. This involves maintaining databases of observations and orbits, tracking the discoverer of each object, and announcing discoveries to the rest of the world. The MPC operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory as part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), located in Cambridge, MA.

The MPC would like to hire a software developer to participate in the development of the MPCs next generation observation-processing pipeline. 

MAJOR DUTIES

• Functions as a software IT Specialist to develop and maintain Python and web-based software applications and services related to the Minor Planet Center.
• Develops new data analysis and visualization tools to help understand the MPC’s ever-growing data-set of observations and orbits.
• Develops unit tests and applies continuous integration to both existing and new software projects
• Collaborates with scientists and software development staff as needed
• Participates in regular software planning and status reporting activities
• Contributes to the improvement and upkeep of Minor Planet Center software development best practices
• Performs other duties as assigned