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System and Software Engineering for GAIA Science Operations
2014-05-04 15:37:10| Space-careers.com Jobs RSS
Aurora is an established supplier of skilled manpower to ESA and in particular at ESTEC and ESAC. Aurora has the opportunity to expand our support within the Science and Robotic Exploration Directorate DSRE. Aurora currently has a team of 20 engineers and scientists at ESAC including 6 engineers supporting the GAIA mission including the AGIS software. This existing experience is very beneficial as ESA will chose the company to provide this service with a strong weighting on understanding the issues. Overview This work package is intended to provide a number of specialised services to support ESA in developing Gaias Astrometric Global Iterative Solution AGIS software into an operational system. ESAs Gaia mission is designed to create an accurate and complete astrometric catalogue which will serve for decades to come More than 1000 Million objects mostly stars in our Milky Way down to apparent magnitude 20 will be repeatedly observed from the second Lagrange point L2 during the satellites nominal lifetime of 5 years. This will yield a raw data volume of about 100 TB from which each stars position, trigonometric parallax, and proper motion for a smaller subset also radial velocity will be determined to microarcsec accuracy typically 25 as for parallax at 15th magnitude. The data processing and catalogue creation is carried out by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium DPAC formed by around 400 individuals and six main data processing centres distributed across Europe. The Gaia SOC at ESAC is an integral part of DPAC and plays a key role in developing and operating parts of the Core Processing system to which AGIS belongs. The global solution will form the basis for the astrometric part of the catalogue the first version of which is planned for release to the public around autumn 2015 Launch 22 months. AGIS is being developed as a distributed Javaonly system since 2005 jointly by the Gaia SOC and a small number of DPAC scientists. The system has matured over the years into a versatile processing system running the complex core algorithms in a distributed and multithreaded manner on ESAC hardware or external Computing Clouds. A small number of key scientific algorithms still need to be implemented, integrated and tested. This will usually follow available detailed mathematical descriptions andor existing prototype codes from the scientific community. Algorithms must be tested in isolation as well as part of the overall system using available simulation data. Largescale runs are still done using a number of simplifying assumptions which must gradually be eliminated. With a nominal start of operations around May 2014 the systems fitness to process first real flight must be proven as soon as possible. In this process technical and scientific problems must be diagnosed and resolved in collaboration with external scientists. After a minimum of 12 months of mission data is available the system must be operated to seek a solution that will form the basis of the first astrometric catalogue scheduled for release to the public around end 2015. Tasks to be performed The service work to be provided as part of the Gaia SOC AGIS team in close coordination the scientific community to develop the Global Iterative Solution into an operational system is as follows 1. Development and integration of scientific algorithms Coding scientific algorithms in Java following detailed mathematical descriptions Integrating these algorithms into the AGIS framework Testing and validating new implemented functionality unit integration tests using simulation data Optimize new code in terms of memory CPU usage All activities will be supported by SOC personnel and collaborating external scientists. 2. Maintenance of existing code modules, in particular Analyse and resolve known deficiencies and inadequacies Issues of existing AGIS software modules Verify and validate that issues have been resolved usually in the form of extending existing tests andor conduction of new largescale tests. 3. System verification and scientific validation Aid in the definition, conduction and analysis of largescale testing campaigns including a first assessment of the scientific quality of results. Documenting results of test campaigns in the form of validation test reports. 4. Aid in the creation of the first astrometric solution October 2015 Populating the operational AGIS processing DB with IDT and all needed auxiliary data Starting the AGIS run Monitoring the execution of the run from a technical and scientific viewpoint In case of problems, diagnose their cause and implement rectifying actions Specific qualification requirements University degree preferably Masters in AstronomyAstrophysicsPhysicscomputer science or equivalent. At least 4 years relevant professional experience. Experience needed in the preparation, testing and operations of a scientific operations centre or a similar system. You must be able to work in English. Be able to work independently and also work with collegues within a small team. Specific experience is required in the following areas Development andor maintenance of complex scientific data processing systems, preferably in Java Strong background in mathematics and numerical modelling of data Standard Software development techniques and associated tools Eclipse, Subversion, JUnit, ant, continuous integration, automated testing Scripting with Python and SciPy NumPyMatplotlib UNIX, Linux, operating system Product assurance processes and techniques Working with ESA Standards, Frameworks and Tools e.g. ECSS LaTeX Legal and Security Requirements All applicants must be legally allowed to work in Spain without the need to obtain a work visa. Non EU citizens cannot be employed by Aurora in Spain. Applicants are required to provide a copy of their passport and degree certificate. Aurora will validate the Degree with the issuing University and provide evidence to ESA. Prior to issuing a letter of employment the applicant shall provide to Aurora a recent official document declaring that they are of good conduct from the country where currently resident. Location The work will be performed at the ESAC, the European Space Astronomy Centre, at Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid, Spain. The work will be performed closely with ESOC and after launch some weeks at ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany might be required. Contract You will be registered for both social security and tax in Spain. The standard working hours are 40 per week. There are 12 public holidays and an additional 29 annual days holiday. In addition to public health services Aurora provides private medical insurance in Spain. Training to improve efficiency and provide strength for future career are of course included. Aurora can assist financially and provide recent experience information for relocation. To be considered for this Position Provide prior to 23 May 2014 a summary of why you are a good candidate for the position together with a complete and detailed Recruitment Form to Mr. Alex Jeanes, at email alexjeanesaurora.nl quoting reference SRE67. Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting their detailed technical proposal and candidates to ESA by 30 May 2014. Should ESA select you then a formal letter of employment shall be issued with an agreed start date.
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