Scientific Software Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (Berkeley Lab) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for a Scientific Software Engineer to work within ALS Photon Science Development (PSD) and ALS Photon Science Operations (PSO) groups. This position will be a part of a team developing data orchestration tools to work with data from high-speed detectors, managing data/metadata, apply data analysis and reduction algorithms and create user-facing applications, following FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. The position works collaboratively with, or under direction of, staff, scientists, and external collaborators to derive solutions applicable to a diverse set of instruments and computational environments.

The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility that produces exceptionally bright soft and hard x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light. With a strong scientific reputation, expert staff, and advanced capabilities, the ALS attracts thousands of academic and industrial users each year in condensed matter and quantum materials, energy sciences, biosciences, earth and planetary sciences and more.

The ALS is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve 15,000 users annually. Co-located with the Molecular Foundry, NERSC supercomputing center, and Berkeley Lab's materials, chemical sciences, biosciences, and other divisions, it provides an ideal collaborative environment for innovative scientific discoveries.

The ALS is a global leader in soft x-ray science, and aims to maintain its leadership with ALS-U, a major project to upgrade the facility to a fourth-generation light source. This upgrade will position the facility among the brightest soft x-ray light sources in the world, offering capabilities that no other facility can provide.

Key responsibilities:

• Design and develop data management services that support data generated by thousands of visiting researchers.
• Build browser-based applications and user interfaces for scientific data analysis and workflow management.
• Design, deploy, and maintain SQL and NoSQL databases used to manage ALS data and metadata.
• Develop, test, deploy, and maintain software using modern engineering practices, including unit testing and automated deployment.
• Create clear, user-friendly documentation, including software guidelines, tutorials, and maintenance materials.
• Develop systems for managing, validating, and publishing data and metadata in alignment with established standards and FAIR principles.
• Implement and improve continuous integration and deployment workflows across new and existing code repositories.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to data management systems and software applications.
• Collaborate with other Scientific User Facilities through shared open-source software projects, including code development, peer review, and coordination across teams.
• Present work and technical solutions to internal and external audiences as needed.
• Partner closely with ALS beamline scientists to design and deliver software solutions that support scientific operations and research needs.
• Provide technical expertise in the design and implementation of web-based software solutions.
• Lead complex software projects, including evaluating technology options and guiding solutions from design through deployment.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field and a minimum of 8 years of related experience, or a Master's degree in a related field and a minimum of 6 years of related experience.
• At least 3 years of experience working with one or more web frameworks, including single-page application frameworks such as React, Vue, or Angular, and/or server-side frameworks such as Django, Ruby on Rails, ASP.NET, or Spring.
• At least 5 years of experience developing database applications using SQL and/or NoSQL databases.
• At least 5 years of professional software development experience in languages such as Python, C, C++, C#, or Java.
• Experience with Continuous Integration systems like Github Actions.
• Experience with one or more container deployment systems such as Podman, Docker and Kubernetes.
• Knowledge and experience with front-end and back-end software development.
• Knowledge of software development and project management practices, including version control, build tools, issue tracking, and continuous integration methods.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work on complex issues and to exercise judgment in selecting tools and approaches.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate successfully with scientists and external partners.
• Deep understanding of one or more programming languages (e.g. python, ruby, java, javascript/node).
• Deep understanding of database management systems.
• Ability to deploy software in container orchestration environments like Compose and Kubernetes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the development of complex software systems and guide projects from design through deployment, including coordinating work across multiple developers.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Experience working in a scientific research setting.
• Experience with OIDC for authentication.
• Experience creating data analysis methods and procedures.
• Experience with workflow/orchestration systems like Prefect, Airflow.
• Experience with HPC systems.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by May 27, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $139,440 - $174,312, which depends upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule - a combination of teleworking and performing work on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. This position requires onsite work generally 3 days per week. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.