Software Manager

Software Manager (Multiple Positions) (Updated)

Software Manager (Multiple Positions) (Updated)

Posting Number req23359

Department Steward Observatory

Department Website Link https : / / astro.arizona.edu

Location Main Campus

Address Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

Please Note : This posting has been updated to reflect multiple vacancies.

The candidate must have a strong background in leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex, high-performance software systems, particularly in the context of space-based or space-related scientific and engineering missions. They will manage a team of software engineers and researchers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment that prioritizes open-source development, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

In this role, the candidate will serve as the systems engineering lead for software, responsible for defining architecture, interfaces, and performance requirements across mission-critical software components. They will also coordinate and oversee contributions from external software vendors and institutional partners, ensuring seamless integration and compliance with rigorous technical and operational standards typical of space missions.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in developing software for space applications—space telescopes, or ground-based software infrastructure—while championing open-source frameworks that benefit the broader scientific and engineering communities. They will mentor graduate students and early-career professionals, guiding their technical growth and encouraging meaningful contributions to open-source ecosystems.

While familiarity with Adaptive Optics is advantageous, this role emphasizes leadership in software systems design, open-source strategy, and collaborative development in the context of space science and engineering.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA / ASU / NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of open-source software systems for space- and ground-based telescope platforms. Collaborate with project stakeholders to align software deliverables with overall system requirements and mission objectives. Coordinate resource allocation and timeline planning to ensure successful delivery of software milestones. Manage project schedules, budgets (approximate $10,000,000), and risk assessment. Direct a cross-disciplinary team to ensure software aligns with hardware, scientific, and operational requirements.
• As the systems engineering lead, drive systems engineering efforts across the full software lifecycle, including requirements definition, interface design, integration, verification, and validation. Oversee real-time control systems, data acquisition pipelines, simulation environments, and data reduction workflows. Identify and mitigate technical and programmatic risks associated with software development and integration. Coordinate and oversee contributions from external software vendors and institutional partners, ensuring seamless integration and compliance with rigorous technical and operational standards.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, interface control documents, and training materials to support long-term system sustainability. Attend project and stakeholder meetings to report on the status, progress, and challenges of software development efforts. Prepare and deliver clear, concise presentations on software package milestones, timelines, and technical updates. Communicate effectively with stakeholders to align expectations, gather feedback, and support decision-making processes.
• Plans and supervise the work of multiple staff members including graduate students, junior staff, software engineers and researchers, and external research teams. Provides guidance and training on work standards and expected outcomes. Accountable for planning and evaluating performance, staff training and development, recruitment, and pay recommendations adhering to policies and budget. Support academic and professional growth for students through technical guidance, code reviews, and collaborative research projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

FLSA Exempt

Full Time / Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Research

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $139,102 - $180,833

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 14

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education / training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .

Career Stream and Level M3

Job Family Research Engineering

Job Function Research

Type of criminal background check required : Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 2

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates Manny Montoya

omm@arizona.edu

Open Date 7 / 10 / 2025

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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