CIRES / NOAA NCEI Software Engineer Associate Scientist I

University of Colorado Boulder -
Boulder, CO

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Job Details

Full-time
$62,444 - $78,055 a year
2 days ago

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Tuition reimbursement
Paid time off
On-the-job training
Retirement plan

Qualifications

Programming languages

Full Job Description

Requisition Number:

74030

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

24-Aug-2026

Date Posted:

10-Aug-2026

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder is hiring a software engineer to support NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). Based at the David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, Colorado, the successful candidate will develop software-based solutions to meet science-driven requirements.

Joining a multidisciplinary team of scientists, data managers, and software engineers, the candidate will focus on the research, archival, development, and dissemination of NOAA’s seafloor mapping data. Primary responsibilities include automating, maintaining, monitoring, enhancing, and troubleshooting systems used for managing marine datasets such as bathymetry, echo-sounder, water-column-sonar, video, or marine core samples.

The ideal applicant will possess strong programming skills, the ability to operate independently, and a flexible, upbeat approach to collaborating with team members.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

NCEI, as the Nation’s leading authority for environmental information, hosts and provides access to one of the most significant archives on Earth, encompassing comprehensive oceanic, atmospheric, and geophysical data. Its data collections span from million-year-old sediment records to near real-time satellite imagery, reaching from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun. Specifically, the Nation's marine geophysical data and information are held and preserved at NCEI’s Boulder, Colorado office.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Optimize, monitor, troubleshoot, and assist in the enhancement of systems used to ingest, archive, maintain, visualize, and disseminate marine datasets (60%)
Communicate with NCEI/CIRES scientists and data managers to identify software enhancements or new capabilities needed to accomplish science objectives (20%)
Maintain relational databases to enable discovery and access to data (10%)
Self-manage work with a variety of projects, stakeholders, and team members concurrently (10%)

What You Should Know

Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylum, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated at the NOAA office in Boulder, CO (David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO).
Selected finalists will be required to pass a federal background clearance check.

What We Can Offer

CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
The hiring salary range for this position is $62,444 to $78,055. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
Some relocation expenses are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development, and a Mentorship Program.
Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be dynamic. Be entrepreneurial. Be Boulder.

What We Require

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Mathematics, the Physical Sciences, or another STEM field is required.
Demonstrated programming proficiency through academic coursework or relevant experience.
A solid foundation in programming fundamentals, with the ability to write and maintain code independently.

What You Will Need

Flexible and proactive attitude combined with an ability to work independently and with other team members to simultaneously make progress on multiple projects.
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Strong skills in time management. This role will require working toward several deadlines throughout the year, sometimes simultaneously.
A strong enthusiasm for continuous learning.

What We Would Like You to Have

Please note that while the position details both required skills and desired skills, applicants do not need to have all of the desired skills and experience to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, have passion for the work, along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We provide on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

Experience with object oriented and functional programming (Java and JavaScript experience is a plus).
Bash programming experience.
Experience with Linux.
Familiarity with cloud services (AWS experience is a plus).
Familiarity with relational database management systems.
Experience with or knowledge of spatial data and databases.
Experience documenting standard operating procedures for technical tasks.
General understanding of oceanography.
Experience with user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV;
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position;
Although not needed at the time of application, please be ready to submit contact information for 3 professional references, including at least one supervisor or manager. If you are identified as a finalist for this position, you will be asked to invite your references to complete a Crosschq questionnaire on your behalf. Crosschq is an online reference check solution. All information is kept confidential and shared only with the members of the search committee.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

This position will close on August 24, 2026.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Payton Cain

Posting Contact Email: [email protected]

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Job Summary

Who We Are

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

What You Should Know

What We Can Offer

Benefits

Be Statements

What We Require

What You Will Need

What We Would Like You to Have

Special Instructions

Posting Contact Information

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