Support Scientist – Operational Wave and Storm Surge Modeling

Lynker

. Support development, optimization, maintenance, and integration of wave and storm surge modeling capabilities within NWS operational architectures .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeCollege Park • Maryland • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $75,000 - $120,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in numerical modeling, storm surge analysis, and marine modeling output dissemination, with advanced skills in Python, Fortran 90, and C/C++. Proficient in collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and integrating operational systems within NOAA/NWS environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Numerical ModelingStorm Surge ModelsPython ProgrammingHPC PlatformsEnsemble Modeling

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fortran 90C/C++PythonSpectral Wave ModelsOperational Storm Surge ModelsEnsemble ModelingNumerical Model ExperimentsSynthetic Pressure FieldsAdvanced Shell ScriptingGitHub

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunication

Tools & Technologies

HPC PlatformsPBSSlurmMPIOpenMPWeb Interfaces

Industry Keywords

MeteorologyPhysical OceanographyCoastal EngineeringNOAANWSAI/ML TechniquesReal-Time ApplicationsMarine Modeling

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonShell ScriptingUnixC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support development, optimization, maintenance, and integration of wave and storm surge modeling capabilities within NWS operational architectures
Advance numerical, statistical, and probabilistic formulations for total water level guidance, storm surge and wave runup, rip current guidance, and real-time model merging/weighting
Work with meteorological input datasets such as the National Blend of Models (NBM)
Derive secondary diagnostics, including synthetic pressure fields from wind fields
Partner with federal agencies, academic institutions, and private industry to evaluate external models and transition research to operations
Design and execute numerical model experiments
Apply Python-based verification, performance metrics, and observational data-fusion techniques across regional and nearshore domains
Maintain, visualize, and disseminate marine modeling output
Build and update web interfaces displaying pre-operational and operational model guidance for internal and public use
Collaborate independently and across multidisciplinary teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

An M.S. (or equivalent experience) in meteorology, physical oceanography, coastal engineering, or a related field
5+ years in weather forecasting, physical oceanography, or coastal ocean science
Knowledge of spectral wave models such as WAVEWATCH III, particularly for real-time applications
Demonstrated experience with operational storm surge models such as SLOSH, P-ETSS, P-Surge, SCHISM, and/or ADCIRC
Strong background in ensemble modeling, probabilistic output analysis, and real-time model merging and weighting techniques
Understanding of meteorological inputs and atmospheric forcing such as NBM
Experience generating secondary fields, including synthetic pressure fields from wind fields using published formulations
Experience running numerical models on HPC platforms using PBS and Slurm for job submittals
Experience using MPI or OpenMP for multiprocessing
Advanced skills in Fortran 90, C/C++, and Python
Experience working in a UNIX environment with advanced shell scripting languages and complex jobs
Demonstrated proficiency using GitHub to manage software repositories, code versions, and projects
Ability to maintain, visualize, and disseminate marine modeling output and web-based products
Preferred/ideal: real-time operational system integration, model blending, and software development within regional and nearshore domains
Preferred/ideal: NOAA/NWS operational environments, including WCOSS and NCO standards
Preferred/ideal: AI/ML techniques for wave parameterizations, model efficiency, or forecast accuracy
Ability to collaborate across interagency and private sectors

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage
Personal Time Off (PTO) plus paid holidays
Highly competitive compensation plan
401(k) retirement plan with company matching
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Flexible spending accounts
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Life and accident insurance
Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
Employee Referral Program
Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System
Personalized career growth plans for every employee
Employee-owned company
Hybrid work schedule with 3 days per week from home