Remote Earth Science Research Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Earth Science Software Engineer to support the cloud infrastructure, data pipelines, and web applications for two research teams at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center: the Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) project and the Disasters Team.

This position will serve as the technical bridge between scientific discovery and operational deployment. The selected candidate will design, automate, and maintain the data processing and software systems that allow critical Earth observation and meteorological data to flow from NASA satellites to real-time decision-makers. Whether optimizing Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) for SPoRT's real-time weather research or building out Python/GIS automation for the new AWS-based Disasters Portal, you will ensure NASA's science products are resilient, scalable, and highly available for global societal benefit.

Note, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Responsibilities

The Earth Science Software Engineer will split their time between the SPoRT and Disasters teams, serving as the critical bridge between scientific discovery and operational deployment. This role focuses on software development, data pipeline design, and the transition of research into production environments.

Data Pipelines & Processing Automation

• Design End-to-End Pipelines: Develop and automate robust Python-based data processing pipelines for the ingestion, formatting, and metadata curation of real-time satellite feeds and high-volume geospatial datasets.

• Standardize GIS Workflows: Partner with NASA Earthdata GIS to design and automate GIS-based data dissemination protocols, web services, and SpatioTemporal Asset Catalogs (STAC), enabling the seamless integration of derived scientific products into public-facing web environments.

Putting Science Code into Production (Research-to-Operations)

• Software Implementation: Support the implementation, optimization, and scaling of scientific code and atmospheric models developed by researchers, ensuring they are stable and performing as intended in production.

• Streamline Delivery: Utilize containerization and automated workflows to transition research code from local developer workstations into reliable, cloud-native operational architectures.

Real-Time Visualizations & Web Tools

• Develop Visualization Software: Build and maintain software for real-time data visualization and web applications that convey critical weather products and hazards data to the public and stakeholders.

• Portal Integration: Contribute technical expertise to building out data handling solutions that feed directly into the new AWS-based Disasters Portal, maximizing data accessibility and responsiveness.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Open Science Documentation: Create clear documentation, including intuitive Jupyter Notebooks, for internal team reference, system architecture, and curated training modules for external stakeholders.

• Cross-Team Integration: Actively engage with NASA scientists, engineers, and external end-users (such as the National Weather Service) to align software capabilities with evolving research and operational needs.

Education

• Degree in Earth Science, Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Remote Sensing or a related technical field from an ABET-accredited university.

• 10+ years' experience with a Bachelor's degree.

• 8+ years' experience with a Master's degree.

Desired Technical Experience

• Python Proficiency: Extensive experience with Python for data processing and automation, including the scientific stack (Pandas, NumPy, Dask).

• GIS Automation: Deep understanding of OGC web service standards (WMS, WFS, WMTS) and experience programmatically automating service delivery using large scale remotely sensed data.

• Version Control & Workflows: Strong command of Git/GitHub, branching strategies, and collaborative code reviews.

• Linux Environment: Solid experience with the Linux command line and shell scripting (Bash) for navigating research environments.

• Cloud & Infrastructure: Experience deploying applications in AWS environments and utilizing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation).

Additional Experience:

• Containerization: Experience using Docker or Singularity to containerize data pipelines and scientific software.

• Front-End Development: Ability to create user interfaces for web apps (familiarity with React or the NASA Horizon standard is a major plus).

Essential Functions

Work Environment:

Office environment. Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%). Requires travel in the domestic USA (5%). Requires ability to work at a computer for long periods of time (100%).

Physical Requirements:

Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%). Also, requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%). Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%).

Equipment and Machines:

Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).

Attendance:

Normal workday 7:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity, and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

Other Essential Functions:

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%). Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

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