Gemini Observatory Tech Stack

Twin 8-meter telescopes operating large-scale astronomical surveys from Hawaii and Chile

Research Services Hilo, HI 51–200 employees Founded 1999 Nonprofit

Gemini Observatory runs a pair of 8-meter optical/infrared telescopes from Mauna Kea (Hawaii) and Cerro Pachón (Chile), serving as the operational backbone for major surveys like DESI and NEID. The tech stack—Linux, Python, C/C++, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, InfluxDB, Grafana—reflects an observatory managing real-time telescope control, data pipelines, and monitoring across remote, high-altitude sites. Current hiring pressure in engineering and support roles signals active scaling of both instrument programs and system reliability.

Tech Stack 25 technologies

Core StackLinux Python C++ Grafana InfluxDB Redis PostgreSQL Django Bootstrap JavaScript Kubernetes GitHub Jira Ruby Go Rust macOS Windows Vista CMMS C REST Git pytest RSpec

What Gemini Observatory Is Building

◆Challenges

Performance tuning
Improving system efficiencies
Maintaining security and privacy compliance
System capacity planning
Maintaining cybersecurity footprint
Ensuring compliance with government award terms
Ensuring observatory uptime
Real-time fault resolution
Ensuring compliance with safety regulations
Robustness and scalability

▲Active Projects

Dark sky discovery program
Night of the marvelous moon program
Overnight telescope observing program
Dark energy spectroscopic instrument survey (desi)
Nn-explore exoplanet investigations with doppler spectroscopy (neid)
Analysis of desi data to study active galactic nuclei
Annual maintenance shutdown
Instrument exchanges
Design and upgrade of observatory systems
Telescope control middleware

Hiring Activity

Accelerating10 roles · 6 in 30d

Department

Engineering

Support

Research

Marketing

Ops

Seniority

Mid

Junior

Senior

Company intelligence

Find more companies like Gemini Observatory by tech stack, pain points and active projects

Get started free

About Gemini Observatory

Gemini Observatory is a nonprofit research facility operating twin 8-meter telescopes designed for optical and infrared astronomy. The North telescope sits on Mauna Kea at 14,000 feet in Hawaii; the South telescope occupies Cerro Pachón in the Chilean Andes at 9,000 feet. Both sites are engineered for atmospheric advantage and equipped with advanced instruments including adaptive optics, multi-object spectrographs, and laser guide stars. Gemini's operational scope spans international partnerships, active astronomical surveys (DESI, NEID), public outreach programs, and continuous instrument development. The organization employs approximately 100 staff across operations, engineering, research, and support functions, with headquarters in Hilo, Hawaii.

HeadquartersHilo, HI

Company Size51–200 employees

Founded1999

Hiring MarketsUnited States, Chile

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gemini Observatory's tech stack?

Core infrastructure runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows with Python, C, C++, and Go for application logic. Data systems include PostgreSQL, InfluxDB, and Redis. Operations rely on Kubernetes for orchestration, Grafana for monitoring, GitHub for version control, and Jira for project tracking.

What research programs does Gemini Observatory run?

Active programs include the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey, the NEID exoplanet survey, active galactic nuclei analysis, public outreach (Night of the Marvelous Moon, Dark Sky Discovery), and ongoing telescope observing programs. The observatory also manages regular instrument upgrades and system design work.