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Software Engineer

Pasadena, CA

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world’s brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Software Engineer to develop, implement, and integrate components of the first Earth system model (ESM) that learns automatically from global observations and targeted high-resolution simulations of clouds, turbulence, and other elements of the Earth system. As a Climate Modeling Alliance (CliMA) Software Engineer at Caltech, you will work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of curious and creative scientists, engineers, and applied mathematicians, spanning the CliMA partner institutions.

Essential Job Duties

You will:

  • Work on an ambitious, high-profile scientific project with an opportunity to impact the climate sciences worldwide.
  • Analyze problems, formulate mathematical models, and implement software solutions at the interface of computational science, applied mathematics, fluid dynamics, and Earth system science.
  • Apply your expertise in computational science and your domain-specific expertise to design and develop innovative high-performance software suitable for the next-generation of supercomputing hardware with heterogeneous manycore architectures.
  • Develop and implement innovative software solutions to climate modeling problems in collaboration with experts in GPU programming, language design, compiler development, parallel high-performance computing, and numerical techniques.
  • Contribute to the design, performance specification, and development of an integrated open-source software system using modern languages and development techniques to ensure code health, scalability, and robustness.
  • Manage and coordinate software projects involving scientists, applied mathematicians, and engineers.
  • Work in a friendly and diverse working environment, collaborating closely with researchers in climate science, machine learning, and applied mathematics.

Basic Qualifications

  • Completed a BS or equivalent degree in a quantitative field such as computer science, applied mathematics, physics, engineering, or Earth science.
  • Experience with at least two programming languages (e.g., C, C++, C#, Fortran, Python, Julia, Rust, OCaml).
  • Experience developing large software projects in a distributed fashion, e.g., contributing to an open source project with distributed contributors.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in Earth science, applied mathematics, physics, or engineering.
  • Experience working with high-performance computing systems, including multicore processors and GPUs or other accelerators.
  • Demonstrated expertise in numerical methods for partial differential equations and/or computational fluid dynamics, through coursework and/or research experience.
  • Familiarity with the Julia language, including package development and performance optimization.
  • Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and interacting cross-functionally with a wide variety of people.

Required Documents

  • Resume – including links to public code contributions, if available.
  • A brief (less than one page) statement highlighting relevant experience and career goals.

For more information about CliMA and this position, please contact us at clima@caltech.edu.

Apply Now

Hiring Range

$90,000 to $135,000 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

COVID-19 Vaccine Required for All Employees

Caltech has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective October 15, 2021, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees (with Institute-approved exemptions for religious or medical contraindications only). At present, an individual is deemed “fully vaccinated” when that person has received, at least 14 days prior, either the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Upon eligibility, employees are required to receive the COVID-19 booster as part of the vaccine mandate. As a condition of employment, employees must submit official COVID-19 vaccine documentation. More information may be found here.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.