Job Description

Position Overview

The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Geospace Solutions Engineer. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Geospace Solutions Engineer will form part of the space physics group in the department of physics and astronomy, working on deliverables for various research projects and contracts related to the space environment, instrumentation and applications. A key purpose of this position is to design and implement sustainable server architecture to support remote scientific instrumentation for the lifecycle of the respective projects. This includes the software located both on remote instruments and locally on UofC servers. In addition, the Geospace Solutions Engineer will work with the science team to design, execute, and analyze test campaigns to assist in the decision of hardware for remote scientific instrumentation during the development phase of a project. This may include in-scope supervision of other development staff, managing instrument/sub-system development and/or maintenance projects as well as ensuring that as technologies change, the unit adapts to and learns the new technologies. The incumbent may support other development projects by providing knowledge, skills, and on-the-job training to others. This position works closely with industrial partners in the geospace industry and management in areas of instrument quality control and performance assessment, standard operating protocol development, development of instrumentation proposals, and may contribute to and assist in submitting research grants proposals. This position may also include remote field work to perform maintenance or repairs on deployed scientific instrumentation.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Software Design and Research Support

• Responsible for bridging research level code and/or methodologies to operational frameworks in coordination with science team
• Design and implement software solutions to support advanced research processing and/or visualization
• Design, implement, and maintain server architecture to support existing and future instruments for the lifecycle of the respective project
• Design and implement operational planning management systems for existing and future projects
• Assist in the design, implementation and maintenance of Data Management Systems (DMS) for ingestion, storage, and processing of data from sensors and/or models
• Identify inadequacies in current processes and design/implement software to streamline processes

Remote Instrumentation Design and Operations

• Assist or lead, as required, in the development of software and hardware for new instruments. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Assist and/or lead specification of system requirements (performance, functional, operational, etc.)
• Develop sensor/system performance models to assist in verification of sensor design and/or configuration
• Design prototype systems (and associated test campaigns) to verify design performance
• Detailed data analysis to determine performance metrics, verification of design, and investigate the feasibility in a production setting
• Build and/or manufacture sensor systems for field deployment
• Contribute to operational planning for existing and future projects; includes planning of full project lifecycle (design, manufacture, deployment, operations, etc.)
• Assist in the design and implementation of remote monitoring systems and/or procedures to ensure efficient operations of remote sensor networks
• Perform solo/group field operations for the purpose of training, repairing existing instruments, or the installation on new scientific instruments

General

• Prepare and/or update documentation and technical reports as required
• Assist in the preparation of funding proposals and evaluation of instrument concepts for potential future mission partnerships
• Responsible for management, maintenance, or control of a specialized area
• Involved in day-to-day supervision of staff, monitoring, planning, and organizing activities of others
• Recommend changes to methods, procedures, and practices within the lab
• Under limited supervision and direction, develop and implement original experiments within guidelines of the research
• Oversee reliable and safe operation of all lab equipment for various users, including stocking of all necessary materials and supplies
• Train and supervise staff, students, and faculty in the operation of equipment and lab protocols
• Keep the lab and work area clean and safe; contribute to the maintenance of lab equipment
• Establish and maintain effective, productive relationships with staff, peers, immediate supervisor and senior management and with the campus community
• Manage own time effectively and ensure immediate reports to manager is kept informed of activities, and progress of work
• Demonstrate strong communication, team and customer service skills, and the ability to exercise judgement within established guidelines
• Extensive understanding of learning and development of safety codes, standards and systems related to specialization

Qualifications / Requirements:

General

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering
• 3 to 5 years related technical experience
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, organization, problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Internet skills
• Knowledge of University core business systems is desirable
• Ability to provide technical support for other team members through advice on technical lab issues
• Extensive knowledge of theory and practical application of technical procedures and techniques
• Open to learning and development, and be willing to accept new challenges and assignments
• Understand safety codes and standards related to specialization
• Demonstrated experience in the operation and maintenance of complex technical equipment
• Experience in managing small development teams

Instrumentation Systems

• Advanced knowledge of instrumentation (optical systems preferred), with demonstrated experience modeling system performance for assessment of design verification
• Advanced knowledge of data analysis techniques used for optical system testing
• Experience specifying test requirements and test specifications for testing campaigns for requirements verification
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of software control systems for remote, automated optical (or similar) instrumentation
• Experience in optical calibration (radiometric, spectral characterization, spatial throughput specification, georeferencing, etc.)
• Experience in remote field operations including the repair and installation of instrumentation systems

Software Frameworks, Programming and General Analysis

• Experience with handling and processing large datasets, including matrix manipulation and detailed computations for generation of advanced data products
• Experience in using popular software frameworks (Docker, Git, CI/CD Pipelines, etc.)
• Must have advanced programming skills (Python, Java, PHP, C, Bash)
• Experience in web development (HTML, CSS, Node, JavaScript, Django, Flask, etc.)
• Experience in full stack development
• Must have advanced Linux system administration skills (Debian & RedHat)
• Demonstrated experience in IDL

Application Deadline: November 25, 2022

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our . For more information about the Faculty of Science visit .

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada's leading next-generation university - a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation's most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada's top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit .

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide in line with the foundational goals of , committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the ( ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ( ).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.