Job Summary
The Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN) is charged with providing computational, modeling, and data infrastructure to support the creation of digital twins (DTs) by SMART USA Institute. These services will support DTs for the Birck Nanotechnology Center (BNC) and other SMART USA partners for research, development, and education/workforce development (EWD) efforts. The services will involve collecting data from the source (e.g. BNC equipment and simulations), making the data AI-ready following FAIR principles, seamlessly connecting the data to AI models and visualization to inform decision-making, and ultimately publication, storage, and sharing. Importantly, decision making includes using real-time information from multiple sources to update digital twins and the use of their forecasting ability to provide feedback to experimentalists. The work will leverage resources from Purdue's Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC) and nanoHUB.
The Senior Software Engineer will work with the NCN team to efficiently design, develop, and maintain applications and services that make complex data findable and accessible for the creation of DTs. This position will focus on building APIs, web applications, and backend services; integrating with external systems; designing secure, scalable architectures; and supporting advanced workflows involving AI-ready datasets and physics-based simulations. Key activities include developing data registration interfaces, implementing data ingestion and analysis workflows, establishing secure and scalable deployments, integrating Purdue's SAML authentication, and creating publication and DOI assignment tools. The role will also involve threat modeling, system security planning, CI/CD setup, and integration of third-party services. The position is expected to have a 3-year duration and be renewable.
What We're Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Science, or a related field
- Four or more years of experience in programming database, and software design, including customer-driven software design and development experience
- Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of required education and related work experience
- Programming experience using Python, JavaScript or Java
- Experience developing and consuming REST API'S
- Familiarity with frontend and backend development frameworks
- Experience with data workflows, ingestion, and processing pipelines
- Knowledge of authentication and authorization protocols (SAML, OAuth)
- Experience with CI/CD tools and secure deployment practices
- Strong understanding of system security principles and threat modeling
- Ability to quickly understand new technology requirements and demonstrate skills learned
- Excellent oral, written, and computer communication skills with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
- Ability to multi-task on a variety of activities and work effectively on multiple deadline-driven tasks
- Self-motivated with the ability to think and work independently
- Demonstrated ability to work with others
What Is Helpful:
- Advanced degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences discipline
- Experience with nanoHUB, Hubzero, or scientific data platforms
- Experience developing scientific applications, graphical user interface design, or developing software on Linux
- Web development experience including JavaScript, PHP, CSS, HTML5, and XML
- Experience working with large volumes of data
- Domain knowledge in electrical engineering, microelectronics, materials engineering, nanotechnology or other engineering field
- Experience with commercial scientific or engineering software(s) such as Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens, Ansys, or Silvaco
- Familiarity with Hubzero and/or nanoHUB infrastructure and software development practices
- Use of Kubernetes
- Specialized skills such as: big data technologies, dynamic web programming, or speculative/exploratory data-driven analysis
What We Want You To Know:
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check is required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
- Purdue University is an EO/EA University.