The CTAO (Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory) will be the world’s largest and most powerful ground-based observatory for gamma-ray astronomy at very-high energies. The Observatory has recently moved into its most exciting phase of development: the construction phase. Teams around the world are working together to make the CTAO reality. And with sites and staff located in Italy, Germany, Spain and Chile, the CTAO Central Organisation, which manages the construction and operation of the Observatory, is at the very centre of these activities.

This DPPS Software Developer will play a key role in the construction of the Data Processing and Preservation System (DPPS) software for the CTAO. DPPS software provides the distributed processing pipelines, data management services, and preservation infrastructure used to handle CTAO scientific data at scale. The main tasks include the development and maintenance of DPPS common software and the integration and verification testing of the DPPS system, together with the DPPS Lead Developer and the DPPS Assembly, Integration, and Verification Team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain DPPS common software packages
• Contribute to the integration and verification testing of DPPS and to the integration of DPPS into the full CTAO Computing system
• Review contributions by other DPPS developers, DPPS subsystem developers, and external collaborators to DPPS common software
• Support the development of DPPS subsystems, especially their usage of the common software
• Take part in DPPS test campaigns, e.g. joint commissioning, with other Computing systems and CTAO telescopes

Qualifications and Experience:

• Completed higher education in computer science, physics, computer engineering, information technology, mathematics, or equivalentqualification or experience
• At least three years of technical work experience or a combination of education and relevant experience
• Advanced knowledge of the Python programming language and its ecosystem of scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy, AstroPy)
• Familiarity with Git and experience working on larger software projects using GitLab and/or GitHub, including automated testing
• Knowledge of an additional programming language (e.g. C++ or JavaScript) and/or workflow automation tools will be considered an advantage
• Familiarity with technologies such as Containerization, Kubernetes, DIRAC or Rucio is a bonus
• Familiarity with the low-level data processing of imaging air Cherenkov telescopes is desirable
• Ability to work effectively as a team player in an international, multi-cultural, distributed, and complex project environment
• Ability to understand and communicate complex technical and scientific information
• Excellent writing and organisational skills with an eye for detail, precision, and consistency
• Excellent communication skills and a command of English are essential

Workplace: Zeuthen, Germany. Travel will be required.

Contract: Open-Term, Full-Time

Deadline for applications: 17 May 2026

Please apply on BambooHR: https://ctao.bamboohr.com/careers/52?source=aWQ9MTU%3D

For more information about the CTAO, please visit www.ctao.org. For more information on the advertised position, contact CTAO HR at ctao-hr@cta-observatory.org.

Applications are accepted without distinction on any grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, gender identity, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.