Data Manager

The Data Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that Next-Generation Global Observing Network Groups (ngGONG) scientific ambition can be fully realized through a robust scalable and well-integrated data management architecture. As the lead data management systems engineer for the ngGONG design project this role translates high-level scientific and operational requirements into a coherent end-to-end Data Management System that enables reliable data capture processing archiving and distribution across all ngGONG instruments. This position supports the National Solar Observatorys Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG) a major international initiative currently in the design phase. ngGONG will modernize NSOs global network of solar observatories enabling continuous high-quality observations that advance solar physics research and improve our understanding of space weather.

By leading the definition and design of the ngGONG Data Management System the Data Manager ensures that data flowsfrom acquisition at observatory sites through calibration quality control long-term preservation and user accessare technically sound interoperable and aligned with program requirements schedules and cost constraints. This role serves as a key integrator across science leadership instrument and telescope teams software engineers system architects and external partners helping align diverse technical inputs into a unified system design.

Close coordination with the NSO/DKIST Data Center further ensures that ngGONGs data systems leverage existing capabilities avoid unnecessary duplication and support long-term operational efficiency. Focused on design readiness rather than day-to-day operations the Data Managers work directly shapes the feasibility sustainability and scientific impact of the ngGONG observatory for decades to come.

The ngGONG project is currently funded for a three-year design phase with the potential for additional funding contingent upon selection to advance into construction.

This position is based in Boulder Colorado on the University of Colorado campus.

What Youll Do

• Lead the definition and management of ngGONG Data Management System requirements derived from scientific operational and user needs with emphasis on endâtoâend data flow from instrument to end user.
• Serve as the accountable lead for the scientific data lifecycle for ngGONGfrom instrument data capture and onâsite buffering through transfer pipeline processing archival and distribution to external usersensuring that performance reliability and usability requirements are met.
• Manage the design of data archiving systems including longâterm preservation access distribution data lifecycle management concepts and metadata/provenance standards.
• Oversee design planning for science data reduction pipeline infrastructure including calibration and qualityâcontrol workflows processing stages compute requirements and scalability considerations.
• Interface with the Data Center leadership to define computing platform architectures including storage compute virtualization and potential cloud or hybrid strategies appropriate for ngGONG data volumes and performance needs.
• Coordinate network architecture design to support timely reliable data transfer between ngGONG sites partner institutions and the external user community accounting for bandwidth latency and resiliency requirements.
• Provide leadership for the design of userâfacing software concepts tools and interfaces (e.g. web portals APIs catalog services) that support data discovery access and science use cases.
• Develop system architecture documents requirements specifications interface definitions data models and design documentation for the ngGONG Data Management System and associated data systems.
• Generate statements of work and technical specifications to support external design activities and vendor engagements related to data systems networking and compute/storage infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain project schedules cost estimates and risk assessments for data center and data system design activities and provide inputs to major project design reviews.
• Coordinate closely with ngGONG science teams instrument and telescope teams software engineers systems engineers the NSO Data Center operations staff and external collaborators to ensure alignment with overall project architecture and longâterm operational concepts.
• Ensure DMS designs consider integration with existing or legacy data systems where appropriate including strategies for data migration interoperability and coexistence while remaining focused on ngGONG requirements.
• Participate in formal project design reviews and provide clear recommendations to ngGONG project leadership on data system architectures design trades risks and mitigation strategies.
• Support ngGONG leadership in broader data management planning and strategy development including policies for data access retention curation and compliance with relevant agency or community guidelines.

Why NSO

At the National Solar Observatory youll join a mission-driven community working at the frontier of solar science. Our teams are dedicated to understanding the Sun in ways that protect technology enhance scientific discovery and inspire global audiences. NSO offers a collaborative forward-thinking environment where curiosity is encouraged varied perspectives are valued and employees can make a tangible impact on science and society. Here you will have the opportunity to grow your career lead innovative outreach programs and help shape the national conversation around solar physics and space weather.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelors Degree in engineering computer science data science astronomy or a closely related field or equivalent experience; formal project management training or certification is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver outcomes for mediumâ to largeâscale software or dataâintensive infrastructure projects (e.g. data centers data pipelines archives or cyber-infrastructure).
• Experience working within systemsâengineeringâbased project environments including requirements flowâdown interface control and participation in formal design reviews.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in one or more critical data center or dataâsystem technology areas such as data archiving science data pipelines distributed or highâperformance computing networking or largeâscale storage systems and associated data models/metadata practices.
• Ability to translate scientific and operational requirements into technical specifications and design documentation for data systems and infrastructure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across technical and nonâtechnical audiences including scientists engineers managers and external partners.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders balancing competing priorities and constraints.
• Experience developing schedules cost estimates and risk assessments for technical projects and tracking progress against those plans.

Preferred

• Experience managing data system or cyber-infrastructure projects in a research or scientific environment.
• Experience with data management systems for astronomy or other dataâintensive sciences including experience with highâvolume timeâseries or image data.
• Familiarity with cloudâbased or hybrid computing architectures (e.g. object storage containerized services or dataâlake/archival patterns) and how they apply to scientific data systems.
• Experience working with external vendors and industry partners in a collaborative design environment including contract/SOW development and vendor technical oversight.
• Familiarity with quality management frameworks such as ISO 9000 or similar standards and with data management best practices (e.g. FAIR principles data governance frameworks) in scientific environments.
• Experience supporting projects through conceptual preliminary and final design reviews including preparation and presentation of dataâsystem content.
• Membership in or eligibility for membership in recognized national or international project management institutes is desirable.

Physical Requirements

Thephysicaldemands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files office tools attendance in a meeting room etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills such as a calculator copy machine computer printer etc.
• May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
• Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
• Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
• Constant need to distinguish discern and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties responsibilities and skillsrequiredby personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $130000-$176000. The final salary will depend on skills qualifications and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions competitive salary commensurate with experience and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

About NSO and AURA
The National Solar Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) a consortium of leading universities and research institutions committed to advancing astronomical discovery. AURA manages world-class observatories for the National Science Foundation providing scientific leadership operational excellence and a collaborative environment that supports groundbreaking research. As part of AURA NSO benefits from shared resources and a community dedicated to innovation transparency and public service ensuring its work has broad and lasting impact.

How to Apply:

If youre interested in providing high-level data systems support for a mission-driven scientific program at one of the worlds premier observatories we encourage you to apply. Applications received by February 13 2026 will receive priority consideration. This position will remain open until filled.

Submit your CV and cover letter (PDF format preferred) via our application system. Please name your files in the format:.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here

Required Experience:

Manager