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Astronomy Software Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$109K - $131K/yr

Strong Python engineering skills and familiarity with software design principles and patterns (e.g ... Hands-on experience building ELT/ETL pipelines and orchestration with tools such as Astronomer ...

Astronomy Software Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$64K

$123.8K

$213.9K

How much do astronomy software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for astronomy software engineer in Houston, TX is $123,839.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,100.00 and $134,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an astronomy software engineer?

An Astronomy Software Engineer develops and maintains software used in astronomical research, telescope operations, and data analysis. They work with astronomers to design algorithms, process large datasets, and optimize telescope control systems. Common tasks include developing simulation tools, automating data pipelines, and improving imaging software. This role requires expertise in programming, scientific computing, and an understanding of astrophysical concepts.

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of an astronomy software engineer?

An Astronomy Software Engineer typically spends their day designing, developing, and debugging software to analyze astronomical data or control telescopes and instruments. They may collaborate with astrophysicists, data scientists, and other engineers to implement algorithms, integrate new features, or troubleshoot issues in existing systems. Reviewing scientific requirements, writing technical documentation, and supporting data pipelines or archives are also common tasks. This role requires balancing independent problem-solving with teamwork to ensure software meets rigorous scientific and operational standards.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an astronomy software engineer?

To succeed as an Astronomy Software Engineer, a solid background in computer science, mathematics, and astronomy—typically with a relevant degree—is essential. Experience with programming languages like Python, C++, or Java, familiarity with astronomical data formats (such as FITS), and use of tools like MATLAB or IRAF are often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are valuable soft skills in this field. These abilities are crucial for accurately developing, maintaining, and optimizing software that supports advanced research and scientific discoveries in astronomy.

What are the most commonly searched types of Astronomy Software Engineer jobs in Houston, TX?

The most popular types of Astronomy Software Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:

What are popular job titles related to Astronomy Software Engineer jobs in Houston, TX?

For Astronomy Software Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Astronomy Software Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Astronomy Software Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Astronomy Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Astronomy Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Astronomy Software Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,839 per year, or $59.5 per hour.

Data Engineer

Kanak Elite Services Inc

Houston, TX • On-site

$109K - $131K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Hello There,

Wish you a Happy Wednesday,

My name is Yashmita, and I am a Technical Recruiter at Kanak IT Services LLC. I am reaching out to you regarding the following job opportunity. If you are interested, kindly reply to this email yashmita@kanakits.com with your updated resume.  

TITLE: DATA ENGINEER III

CONTRACT LENGTH: 6 - 12 MONTH CONTRACT, LOOKING TO THEN CONVERT

ONSITE 5 DAYS A WEEK IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON OFFICE. LOOKING FOR HOUSTON LOCAL TALENT. 

NEED SENIOR CANDIDATES 12+ – 15+ YEARS OF CANDIDATE

 Required Qualifications

  • 7–10+ years of experience in Data Engineering or closely related Software Engineering roles with a data focus.
  • Expert-level SQL development and data analysis skills, including advanced query optimization and debugging.
  • Strong Python engineering skills and familiarity with software design principles and patterns (e.g., SOLID), unit testing, refactoring, and version control.
  • Hands-on experience building ELT/ETL pipelines and orchestration with tools such as Astronomer/Airflow; proficiency with Git and CI/CD.
  • Deep understanding of core data engineering patterns: ingestion, transformation, modeling (dimensional/SCDs), and delivery.
  • Proven experience with database physical design including partitioning and effective partition key selection; exposure to clustering and micro-partitioning on MPP/cloud data platforms.
  • Experience implementing data quality frameworks, observability/monitoring, and robust operational SLAs.
  • Experience with Lakehouse table formats (Apache Iceberg/Delta/Hudi) and columnar storage (Parquet) on object storage (e.g., AWS S3).
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex technical concepts to both technical and business stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience optimizing Snowflake workloads (compute sizing, tasks/streams, clustering, micro-partitioning).
  • Experience with dbt, Data Build Tool, or similar for transformation and testing.
  • Experience with event streaming (Kafka/Kinesis/Flink) and API-based data integration.
  • Experience with data catalog, governance, and lineage platforms.
  • Domain experience in Oil & Gas midstream operations or industrial IoT/time-series data.