Smithsonian Institution · 1 month ago
IT Specialist (Software Configuration Specialist) (IS-2210-11/12)
Cambridge, MA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$84K/yr - $130K/yr
1+ years expThe Smithsonian Institution is a leading organization in scientific exploration, and they are seeking an IT Specialist (Software Configuration Specialist) to maintain the software configuration management infrastructure for the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This role involves modernizing system infrastructure, supporting software release cycles, and working closely with the software development team throughout the software development lifecycle.
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Responsibilities
Function as part of a team to maintain and improve the Data System internal software build, test, and deployment infrastructure
Develop and maintain scripts, operational procedures, and internal documents following the software development lifecycle: requirements generation, design, code, verification and test, and maintenance; Generate all documentation according to Data System guidelines
Monitor automated build and test pipelines/infrastructure routinely and for new releases . Validate the results and provide solutions when errors are encountered
Actively coordinate with the software team when the responsibility for solutions falls to them
Build and deploy software releases ; Coordinate configuration of test and release platforms with the system group; manage the deployment of software releases as part of the team
Perform a regular inventory of 3rd party software with dependencies in the Data System (OTS, COTS, AOTS)
Monitor and manage system infrastructure (OS, compiler, libraries) and licenses (JetBrains, Atlassian, GitLab) for the Data System
Coordinate upgrades that fit into the overall goals and schedule and perform those upgrades as part of an overall data system schedule and plan in coordination with the CM lead and supervisor
Provide support to the software development team with portability, configuration, and compilation issues; Mentor team members, respond to problem reports, and use available systems (i.e., Jira) to record and monitor issues
Qualification
Required
Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail
Customer Service - Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services
Oral Communication - Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately
Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations
Candidates for grade 11 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation
Candidates for grade 12 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation
All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions
Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks
Grade 11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
Knowledge of and the ability to configure and utilize distributed version control systems (e.g., Git)
Knowledge of and the ability to utilize scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) and Unix based operating systems
Knowledge of and ability to utilize and manage software support tools (e.g., Atlassian products such as Jira/Confluence)
Skill in organizing and utilizing continuous integration environments (e.g., gitlab, github actions) and containers (eg., podman, docker)
Skill in organizing and utilizing package managers (e.g., conda, pip)
Skill in developing new software, modifying existing programs, and planning, coding, testing, and maintaining programs that may present complex problems
Benefits
Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Transit/Commuter Benefits
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Annual and Sick Leave
Family Friendly Leave
403b Retirement Plan
Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships
Museum Stores and Restaurants
Credit Union
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare)
Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care)
Company
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Smithsonian Institution has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (11)
2024 (11)
2023 (5)
2022 (7)
2021 (7)
2020 (12)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.05MKey Investors
Bezos Earth Fund
2025-05-21Grant· $0.05M
Leadership Team
E
Elizabeth Ziebarth
Visitor Accessibility, Smithsonian Institution
Ellen Stofan
Under Secretary for Science and Research
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