ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Astronomy Major Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Regis

Affiliate Faculty, Physics (Labs)

Denver, CO

The Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics Department is seeking affiliate faculty to teach in-person ... basis.` Major Duties and Responsibilities: * Provide instruction and facilitate active problem ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAstronomy Major Jobs

Astronomy Major information

See salary details

$16

$26

$37

How much do astronomy major jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for astronomy major in the United States is $26.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.36 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What career paths are available to someone with an Astronomy major, and how can one advance in this field?

Graduates with an Astronomy major can pursue careers in research, education, data analysis, aerospace, and science communication. Entry-level roles may include research assistant, observatory technician, or planetarium educator. Advancement often requires further specialization, such as obtaining a master's or PhD for research and academic positions, or gaining experience with advanced data analysis and programming for industry roles. Networking through internships, conferences, and professional organizations can also provide valuable opportunities for career growth.

What is the difference between Astronomy Major vs Astrophysicist?

AspectAstronomy MajorAstrophysicist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in astronomy, physics, or related fieldMaster's or Ph.D. in astrophysics or related field
Work EnvironmentUniversities, observatories, research institutions, planetariumsResearch labs, universities, government agencies, observatories
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, research organizations, planetariumsResearch institutions, government agencies like NASA, academia

While an Astronomy Major provides foundational knowledge in astronomy and related sciences, an Astrophysicist typically holds advanced degrees and conducts specialized research. The major prepares students for entry-level roles or further study, whereas astrophysicists focus on scientific discovery and analysis in professional research settings.

What jobs are in the field of astronomy?

Jobs in the field of astronomy include astronomer, astrophysicist, planetary scientist, and observational astronomer. These roles often require strong skills in data analysis, programming, and the use of telescopes or other scientific instruments, and may involve research, data collection, and public outreach.

Is astronomy a useful major?

An astronomy major prepares students for careers in research, education, or science communication, often requiring strong skills in mathematics and data analysis. While the major provides a solid foundation for various science-related roles, many graduates pursue further education or training for specialized positions in academia, government agencies, or private industry.

What are the career opportunities in astronomy?

Astronomy majors can pursue careers as research astronomers, astrophysicists, or planetary scientists, often working at universities, government agencies, or observatories. They may also find opportunities in data analysis, science communication, or education, frequently requiring strong skills in programming, data analysis, and use of telescopes or simulation tools.

What type of job can you get with an astronomy degree?

An astronomy degree can lead to careers such as research scientist, data analyst, or observatory technician, often requiring strong analytical skills and proficiency with software like MATLAB or Python. Common workplaces include research institutions, universities, government agencies, and planetariums.

What is an Astronomy Major?

An Astronomy major is a course of study at a college or university focused on the scientific study of celestial objects such as stars, planets, comets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. Students learn about the fundamental principles of physics and mathematics as they apply to space, and often gain hands-on experience with telescopes and astronomical data. This major prepares students for careers in research, education, data analysis, or further study in graduate school. Astronomy majors may also work in observatories, planetariums, or science communication.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Astronomy major, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Astronomy major, you need a solid background in physics, mathematics, and analytical problem-solving skills, usually supported by coursework in calculus and classical mechanics. Familiarity with scientific programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), telescopes, and data analysis software is typically required. Curiosity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help students excel in research and collaborative projects. These abilities are crucial for understanding complex astronomical phenomena and effectively sharing insights with both scientific and public audiences.
More about Astronomy Major jobs
What cities are hiring for Astronomy Major jobs? Cities with the most Astronomy Major job openings:
What states have the most Astronomy Major jobs? States with the most job openings for Astronomy Major jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Astronomy Major jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Astronomy Major jobs are:
Astronomy Major jobs near you
Infographic showing various Astronomy Major job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,230 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Software Engineer (Astropy), Center for Computational Astrophysics

Flatiron Institute

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Description
The Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA) at the Flatiron Institute, a division of the Simons Foundation, is seeking a full-time research software engineer to develop, maintain, and contribute to community-oriented software projects in astronomy. The software engineer will principally support the Astropy Project and contribute to projects that align with the research directions of the CCA. We expect the position to adapt over time to the needs of the broader astronomical community and CCA research community.
Research in astronomy and astrophysics depends critically on open source and other scientific software projects that are largely community driven (i.e. not developed or maintained by specific institutions). The primary role of this research software engineer position (approximately 60% of effort) is to support the Astropy Project. The Astropy Project is a community effort to develop a common core package for astronomy in Python and foster an ecosystem of interoperable astronomy packages. More information about the Astropy Project can be found on the Astropy website.
The other major role of this position is to support and contribute to projects that align with the current research directions of the CCA, and provide leadership in supporting the larger software community within CCA.
The landscape of scientific software development is evolving quickly, especially through the growing role and opportunities of LLM-assisted development tools. This position will involve helping the Astropy Project and the CCA navigate these changes thoughtfully, balancing adoption of new tools and practices with the reliability and rigor that scientific software demands.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Within the Astropy Project, the primary responsibilities will be to contribute to key projects that expand the functionality and community reach of the software and to help maintain and develop core infrastructure packages that benefit Astropy and the broader Scientific Python communities. The research software engineer will:
  • Lead and contribute to software efforts within the Astropy Project.
  • Support and contribute to projects that align with the research directions of the CCA.
  • Communicate open-source software best practices.
  • Interact with other Astropy developers on GitHub, Slack, and in developer meetings.
  • Collaborate with Flatiron's Scientific Computing Core (SCC), other centers within Flatiron, and the larger scientific community, when relevant.
  • Help evaluate and establish best practices for LLM-assisted development within the Astropy Project and broader CCA community, including how these tools interact with open-source contribution workflows, code review, testing, and documentation.

There will also be opportunities for on-going skill development in software development and scientific computing, including mentoring by senior research scientists, discussions and tutorials with the CCA software community and the SCC (Scientific Computing Core), and support for attending external tutorials and conferences. The research software engineer will be part of a growing community of Flatiron scientists and software engineers working on astronomical software, including Flatiron Software Research Fellows (postdocs), CCA-affiliated SCC scientists, and other research software engineers in CCA. Members of this community will be encouraged to collaborate as well as to create and seek opportunities for skill development.
The research software engineer will report to a research scientist (equivalent of faculty) at CCA and will join a growing team of research software engineers across the Flatiron Institute. This position will be based in our New York City offices, in-person 4 days a week, with a start date during (or before) September 2026.
Visit the Simons Foundation career page at simonsfoundation.org/careers to learn more.
Qualifications
Education
  • B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related technical discipline.

Essential Qualifications
At least 3 years of experience with software development in a research or research-supporting context, including:
  • Experience doing software development in a research environment (including academic contexts like graduate school and postdoctoral appointments, or research-oriented industry).
  • Experience working with the scientific Python ecosystem (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, etc.).
  • Experience with collaborative version control systems (especially Git & GitHub).
  • Experience working with collaborative software engineering practices, including coding standards and code review.
  • Experience writing documentation and an interest in supporting user communities.
  • Experience with project management and developing multiple concurrent projects.
  • Technical and scientific curiosity with a collaborative attitude.

Desired Qualifications
  • Proficiency with software development in a compiled language (C, C++, Rust, Cython, Fortran, etc.).
  • Experience contributing to the scientific or astronomical Python ecosystem, including a working knowledge of continuous integration systems (e.g., GitHub Actions), software testing (e.g., pytest), and using automated documentation infrastructure (e.g., Sphinx).
  • Experience with HPC, GPU, and/or code profiling and optimization.
  • Working knowledge of applied mathematical concepts and numerical methods.
  • Working knowledge of astronomy and physics core concepts.
  • Experience querying and transforming data in databases (SQL, Elasticsearch, etc.) and files (CSV, FITS, HDF5, etc.).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
  • The full-time starting annual compensation range for this position is:
    • (3-6 years of experience) $150K-$185K
    • (6-8+ years of experience) $190K-$215K

In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.
Application Instructions
Required Application Materials
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Cover Letter

DEADLINE TO APPLY
Applications received by May 22, 2026 will receive full consideration, however late applications may be considered at the discretion of the selection committee.

Apply