Senior Scientist

Background
The sensor science and crosscutting technology theme within STAR supports research and development for NOAA’s satellite sensor payloads, ensuring data quality and preparing for future instruments. This involves developing mathematical models and algorithms to interpret satellite measurements, enhancing our understanding of Earth's systems and their impact on weather and climate. STAR facilitates the transition of satellite data and technologies from research to applications, enabling end users to make informed decisions. STAR also collects in situ observations for sensor calibration, product validation, and data fusion with satellite measurements, aiding in the development and maintenance of satellite instruments and products while mitigating risks. These efforts help develop and sustain satellite instruments and products while reducing risks.

Job Description
ERT is seeking a part-time Scientist to support non-NOAA sensor Cal/Val systems. With the proliferation in numbers of high-performance operational weather and environmental and research satellites from other US agencies, international partners, and commercial partners we anticipate that an assessment of additional non-NOAA cal/val data using mature intercalibration methodologies will be required to integrate non-NOAA sensors in ways that complement NOAA satellite observations. Non-NOAA data sets provide significant value to NOAA, but extended investments cal/val methodologies, and capabilities are needed to incorporate the diversity of satellite programs, technologies, and performance expectations. For example, data from the Sentinel series of satellites are currently being evaluated at STAR, and GNSS-R data are being studied in collaboration with other agencies. Historically the support for this TA consisted of a similar labor mix to what is listed in the following table, which is provided for reference.

Duties include:

• Track the status and performance of all the instruments and spacecraft through monitoring all the housekeeping and telemetry data, which is critical for NASA/NOAA flight and ground operations
• Monitor the long-term SDR data product quality using independent methodology.
• Help to improve systems to meet the needs of user communities
• Perform automated daily monitoring, detect any anomaly event related to the instruments and SDR products, and facilitate root-cause analyses by SDR teams. 

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in operational weather satellite instrument calibration/validation or related areas
• 5+ years scientific software development experiences in Linux environment
• Programming languages in IDL/Matlab, Python, FORTRAN, C/C++, Bash or equivalent

Education
PhD in Atmospheric Science, Electrical Engineering, or Physics, or equivalent

Location
Work is located in College Park, MD with flexile work schedules permitted.

Salary
The salary range for this role is $83,000 - $239,000/year. This range is a good faith estimate based on similar roles across the organization. ERT uses several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the position's scope and expected duties, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.  

Benefits
All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our flexible benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Rx, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• 11 Paid Federal Government Holidays
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Professional Membership Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Competitive compensation plan
• Discretionary variable incentive bonuses based on factors such as individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance
• Publication and Conference Presentation Awards with bonuses

ERT is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer - All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

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