Cloud Software Developer CS-2 - CANFAR

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

We are looking for a Cloud Software Developer, CANFAR to support our Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. The Cloud Software Developer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Join the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre (CADC) development team, and help build the software and infrastructure than enables worldwide scientific discovery.  The CADC is a world leader in providing access to astronomical data and catalogs, including ALMA, JWST, Hubble, CFHT, and Gemini, and for the development and operation of the Canadian Advanced Network for Astronomical Research (CANFAR)-a cloud computing platform for astronomy research.  The CADC is looking ahead to two major international telescope collaborations that will bring new and exciting technical challenges: the Rubin Observatory and, in particular, the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO).

The successful candidate will become part of a diverse team of twenty CADC computer scientists and astronomers, developing advanced solutions to support world class science and deliver services for processing data from the world's largest telescopes.  You will become integral members of the CADC software development team, working within an Agile methodology, designing, developing, and maintaining software and infrastructure that enables next-generation data driven astronomical discovery.

For this position, we are looking for a junior developer with specific knowledge and experience in cloud engineering.

In addition to the challenging and rewarding development duties, we offer: 

• A healthy and balanced work environment.
• A collaborative environment: at the CADC, your ideas are listened to, respected and important.
• NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, parental leave, flexible working hours, the possibility of a hybrid working model, vacation and other leave entitlements.  
• A variety of mentoring programs are available.

About the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre

We are Canada's gateway to the stars. At the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre, we maintain and operate Canada's largest and most powerful observatories and represent the country in some of the world's leading astronomy initiatives. We are astronomy and astrophysics experts, conducting cutting-edge research, operating Canada's national observatories, providing extensive data management and analysis tools through our Canadian Astronomy Data Centre, supporting activities at international observatories and developing advanced astronomical instruments with industrial partners.

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Why Work With Us

The Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre is committed to creating an inclusive environment for research, learning and service. We value the merit of a diverse community of staff, students and collaborators. We can offer technical and advisory services in optical and radio astronomy, advanced instrumentation and data science.

Technological expertise:
•    Adaptive optics
•    Data archiving and science platforms
•    Digital signal processing
•    Electrical engineering
•    Instrumentation science
•    Manufacturing and machining
•    Mechanical engineering
•    Millimetre-wave technology
•    Optical engineering
•    Project management
•    Radio engineering
•    Software, controls and machine learning
 
Scientific expertise:
•    Exoplanets
•    Galaxy evolution
•    History of Canadian astronomy
•    Milky Way and neighbouring galaxies
•    Protostars and proto-planetary disks
•    Star and galaxy clusters
•    Variable and transient astronomical sources
•    Magnetism
•    The interstellar medium
•    Supernova remnants
•    The outer solar system

About Victoria

Anchored by the spectacular Inner Harbour, historic downtown Victoria, the Capital City of British Columbia, is the economic heart of the region and Vancouver Island. Our downtown is safe to enjoy day and night. Welcome to a place you can call home for you and your family.

Located in a sub-Mediterranean zone, Victoria enjoys the mildest climate in Canada. This, combined with spectacular ocean views and mountain vistas, encourage year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, golfing, cycling, gardening and kayaking.

Victoria is home to a vibrant and eclectic arts and culture community, from world class performing arts, museums and festivals to local authors and artisans. Old-world ambiance meets modern urban living where niche businesses and eclectic restaurants abound.

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Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in Computer Science, Engineering (with computational component), or a related discipline, with 2 years of recent and relevant software development experience in a team environment.
• A graduate degree from a recognized university in Astronomy or a related discipline with 2 years of recent and relevant software development experience in a team environment, would be strongly considered.
• The equivalency of a diploma from a recognized college or post-secondary institute in a software development related field combined with extensive (minimum 5 years) experience in a team environment may be considered.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

We are seeking candidates with recent* experience in the following:

1. Minimum of 2 years experience working in an Agile software development team environment.
2. Experience working in a DevOps role on a software development team.
3. Experience developing client/server applications.
4. Experience managing and automating software processes to improve system robustness.
5. Experience working with software containerization and service orchestration tools.

* Recent is defined as experience acquired within the last three (3) years.

Assets:

Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:

1. Other aspects of cloud computing and infrastructure relating to enabling astronomy or other sciences (such as  distributed storage, large datasets, and batch processing).
2. Experience with modern, performant database technologies.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status
For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

1. Knowledge and ability working within Agile development methodologies in a team environment.
2. Ability to build, and test docker containers, and to deploy them in a cloud-native orchestration environment (such as Kubernetes).
3. Ability to automate system processes using modern tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and ArgoCD.
4. Ability to communicate and convey complex ideas to peers.
5. Ability to diagnose problems, analyze them systematically, and present different solutions and their benefits and/or disadvantages..  
6. Expertice in version control systems, such as git and github.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profiles: Research; Technology Extension

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $86,503 to $108,068 per annum. 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

How to Apply

• Please provide a cover letter telling us how you feel you meet the experience and, if applicable, the experience asset criteria of the position. Technical and Behavioural competencies will be assessed at a later date.
• URLs to code repositories or websites may be provided as samples of previous work.  These can be included in the cover letter, provided separately, or not at all.
• A current CV must be provided.
• Two or three letters of reference will be requested from short-listed applicants. 

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.