Position Description

Web Applications Developer
Job Category Fulltime Regular
ExemptOvertimeEligible Overtime Eligible
Benefits Eligible Benefit Based
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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

IPAC at the California Institute of Technology invites applications for a Web and Applications Developer who will participate in the development of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and Near Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor programs. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a NASA observatory designed to address key questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics. NEO Surveyor is a NASA Planetary Defense infrared space telescope that will be optimized to detect, track, and characterize near earth objects that may pose a hazard to the Earth and to detect more distant small bodies in the solar system.  Both missions are scheduled to launch in the mid-2020’s. Fully remote work is not possible with this position .

Essential Job Duties

An Applications Developer at IPAC will:

  • Develop graphical web user interfaces, and/or interactive data analysis tools.
  • Work collaboratively with the engineering and scientific team members on tasks that include developing astrophysics data processing.
  • Develop, support and maintain tools to help scientists combine, extract, visualize and exploit information from archived datasets.
  • Help the team interpret and implement project requirements and document the work that you’ve accomplished.

Basic Qualifications

If you have the following in your background, then we want to hear about your interest in joining our team:

  • Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in a Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Science  or a related field.
  • Strong Experience with front and back-end web development
  • Familiarity with software configuration management principles and tools, source code version control (e.g., Git/GitHub) and issue/bug tracking systems (e.g., Jira).
  • Experience in creating and maintaining software documentation

Preferred Qualifications

Beyond these basic qualifications, there are a set of skills and experiences that will add to your ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities of Applications Developer. The following might give you a head-start here, but even if these do not describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you:

  • Demonstrated ability with Ruby on Rails, and related web technologies such as HTML5, JSON, and CSS.
  • Ability to query or examine the contents of a relational database.
  • Experience working with scientific data sets and use cases.
  • Experience with Python, Perl, and C programming.
  • Understanding of software development lifecycles.
  • Ability to work within a small team, and at times, work independently to ensure deliveries to meet project timelines.

People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and the casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and positive relationships. Caltech’s benefits program offers a quality, competitive benefits package that is affordable for you and the Institute. We also offer a 403(b) defined contribution plan to eligible staff as well as a Voluntary Retirement Savings (TDA) Plan. IPAC staff have access to the Institute’s facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership.

Required Documents

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume

Hiring Range

$38.50 - $45.00 Per Hour

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

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