Sr Operations Research Specialist - Hybrid, Cary, NC. 

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About the job

The Scientific Computing Team is looking for a Senior Operations Research Specialist to develop, document and support the SAS Optimization product, which includes an algebraic modeling language and eight mathematical optimization solvers, with an emphasis on computational performance. Our team often has opportunities to assist both internal and external users.

The focus of the current position is Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) solver development.  Besides the traditional branch-and-cut algorithm with primal heuristics and symmetry detection, we also provide automated implementations of both Dantzig-Wolfe and Benders decomposition.  All three algorithms have both multithreaded and distributed options.

This position also has the potential to include support for the algebraic modeling language and optimization solvers other than MILP.

As a Senior Operations Research Specialist, you will:

• Develop high-quality optimization software by designing, programming, testing, and documenting code.
• Research and select appropriate optimization techniques and computational algorithms.
• Advance the organization’s leadership position in the market for optimization software by understanding and anticipating customer needs.
• Build expertise in one or more specialized areas of optimization.
• Work closely with technical support and other customer-facing teams.
• Work closely with other product development teams to integrate optimization tools into company Solutions and Analytical Products and create new techniques as necessary for them.
• Provide relevant expertise about optimization tools to various groups across the company including presales, consulting and education.
• Be encouraged to participate in open-source projects on behalf of SAS.
• Ensure all applicable security policies and processes are followed to support the organization's secure software development goals.
• Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do.

Required qualifications

• PhD in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or a related quantitative field.
• Requires a minimum of three years of related experience. Mastery of advanced programming skills needed to write analytical software components; experience writing effective documentation and working independently with testing and technical support.
• Experience with Linear Programming (LP), Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), Quadratic Programming (QP) or other mathematical optimization solvers.
• Experience programming in C or C++.
• Equivalent combination of related education, training and experience may be considered in place of the above qualifications.

Additional competencies, knowledge and skills

• Active Learning: Seeking and leveraging opportunities to gain new skills, knowledge and experiences; quickly assimilating and applying new information and skills to enhance sales results.
• Collaborating: Working cooperatively with others to help a team or work group achieve its goals.
• Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.
• Preferred: Experience developing commercial optimization solvers.
• Python experience also a plus.

World-class benefits  

Highlights include...

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental and vision plans.
• Medical plan options include:
  • PPO with low annual deductible and copays.
  • HDHP combined with a health savings account with a contribution from SAS (no access to on-site health care center).
• Onsite Health Care Center (HQ) that’s free to employees and family members enrolled in the PPO plan. There's a pharmacy too! Not local to HQ? The pharmacy will ship prescriptions for no additional charge!
• An industry-leading 401k plan.
• Tuition Assistance Program and programs and resources to support your development
• Generous time away including vacation time, a variety of paid holidays, and our much-loved U.S. Winter Wellness Break between December 25 and January 1.
• Volunteer Time Off, parental leave and unlimited paid sick days.
• Generous childcare benefits for all full-time employees.

You are welcome here.

At SAS, it’s not about fitting into our culture – it’s about adding to it. We believe our people make the difference. Our inclusive workforce brings together unique talents and inspires teams to create amazing software that reflects the diversity of our users and customers.

Additional Information:

To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status. SAS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Read more: Know Your Rights. 

Resumes may be considered in the order they are received. SAS employees performing certain job functions may require access to technology or software subject to export or import regulations. To comply with these regulations, SAS may obtain nationality or citizenship information from applicants for employment. SAS collects this information solely for trade law compliance purposes and does not use it to discriminate unfairly in the hiring process.

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