The Operational Applications Developer will support the development, testing, deployment, modernization, and sustainment of operational applications used by the Space Weather Forecast Office and related SWPC operational teams. This position is focused on Python-based application and API development, delivery of applications into production, legacy application modernization, cloud transition, containerization, change and configuration management.

Duties of the Operational Applications Developer will include the following:

• Develop, test, deploy, and maintain operational applications supporting SWPC forecast operations, data integration, product generation, workflow automation, and mission support functions.
• Write, refactor, debug, and maintain Python-based application code, scripts, backend services, APIs, and workflows supporting operational space weather applications.
• Support modernization of legacy applications by assisting with code refactoring, updates containerization, database integration, and preparation for cloud transition.
• Support delivery of applications into production environments by assisting with testing, deployment preparation, stakeholder coordination, and post-release monitoring.
• Assist with containerization of applications and services using Docker or equivalent technologies to improve portability, reproducibility, scalability, and cloud readiness.
• Support application integration with AWS services, cloud-ready infrastructure, data storage platforms, monitoring tools, and deployment pipelines under the guidance of senior developers and infrastructure staff.
• Work with relational and non-relational data stores, including SQL-based databases and platforms such as PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, MongoDB, or equivalent systems.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of APIs, data processing workflows, application interfaces, dashboards, and backend services that support operational data exchange and decision support.
• Support change and configuration management activities by documenting application changes, tracking releases, maintaining version control, supporting configuration baselines, and following established operational deployment processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve application issues involving code defects, data flow interruptions, deployment problems, configuration issues, database errors, API failures, container issues, and operational workflow disruptions.

The Operational Applications Developer selected should have the following:

At least a Bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science, space physics, geophysics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, information systems, or a related STEM discipline, and at least 5 years of experience in related areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Requirements

• Proficiency in Python programming, scripting, debugging, and application support in Linux-based or server-based environments.
• Familiarity with software development practices, including Git-based version control, code review, issue tracking, testing, documentation, and release support.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker or equivalent tools.
• Basic understanding of cloud concepts, AWS services, cloud-ready application design, deployment pipelines, and application modernization patterns.
• Familiarity with relational databases, SQL queries, PostgreSQL or equivalent platforms, and general database troubleshooting concepts.
• Familiarity with non-relational or document/key-value databases such as DynamoDB, MongoDB, or equivalent systems.
• Ability to assist with development and maintenance of APIs, backend services, automation scripts, data processing workflows, and operational tools.
• Ability to document incidents, service requests, changes, configuration items, and application support activities in an ITSM platform such as ManageEngine.

The Ideal Operational Applications Developer will have the following:

• Experience supporting operational forecasting, scientific computing, environmental prediction, space weather, weather, aviation, emergency management, or other mission-critical operational environments.
• Experience modernizing legacy applications through refactoring, database migration, containerization, API development, or cloud transition support.
• Familiarity with scientific datasets, time-series data, JSON, NetCDF, HDF5, HAPI, or related environmental data formats. 
• Experience with Agile SCRUM, Kanban, GitLab, or equivalent development platforms.
• Experience supporting applications in high-availability or 24/7 operational environments where reliability, maintainability, documentation, and rapid troubleshooting are essential.