Senior Fortran Developer

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory seeks a Senior Fortran Developer to support high‑performance scientific computing systems used in spacecraft mission design, planetary science modeling, and autonomous robotics simulation. The developer will modernize legacy Fortran codebases, build advanced numerical algorithms, and integrate Fortran modules with mixed‑language mission software environments.

This role directly supports mission‑critical simulation pipelines for Mars exploration, lunar surface operations, Earth observation, and deep‑space navigation.

• Develop, optimize, and maintain Fortran‑based scientific computing modules for mission simulation, trajectory analysis, and environmental modeling.
• Modernize legacy Fortran 77 systems into Fortran 90/95/2003/2008 while preserving numerical accuracy and mission reliability.
• Implement parallel computing solutions using MPI and OpenMP for large‑scale simulations on NASA HPC clusters.
• Integrate Fortran modules with C/C++ and Python interfaces used by mission operations and scientific analysis teams.
• Collaborate with aerospace engineers, planetary scientists, and robotics teams to translate mission requirements into computational models.
• Conduct performance profiling, numerical validation, and regression testing across multiple compilers and architectures.
• Support mission readiness reviews, verification processes, and documentation according to NASA software engineering standards.
• Contribute to simulation frameworks used for rover navigation, spacecraft maneuver planning, and environmental hazard modeling.

• 10+ years of professional Fortran development experience (Fortran 90/95/2003/2008).
• Strong background in numerical methods, scientific computing, or aerospace simulation.
• Experience with parallel programming (MPI, OpenMP).
• Proficiency in Linux development environments, Git, Make/CMake, and HPC workflows.
• Experience integrating Fortran with C/C++ or Python.
• Familiarity with NASA or aerospace software standards preferred.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary engineering and science teams.
• Strong documentation and verification skills.

NASA is the United States’ national space and aeronautics agency, established in 1958 to lead the country’s civilian space program and advance aeronautics research.

NASA’s mission is to explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery.
Its vision is to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind.