Senior Scientist

Position: Senior Scientist

Location: Remote

Terms: Full Time

Clearance: Public Trust Required

Travel: 0–10%

RESULTS. INNOVATION. VALUES. ACCOUNTABILITY.

RIVA Solutions is a mission-driven IT services company supporting Federal agencies through scientific research, data modernization, digital transformation, and innovative technology solutions. We partner with agencies to advance mission outcomes through operational excellence, scientific integrity, and customer-focused service.

Program Overview

The Senior Scientist supports NOAA CoastWatch by providing scientific, technical, and operational expertise for ocean, coastal, and inland water satellite data products, services, and delivery systems. This role supports NOAA’s mission of making Earth observation data accessible, usable, and impactful for research, operations, and decision-making communities.

Position Overview

RIVA Solutions is seeking a Senior Scientist to support NOAA CoastWatch satellite remote sensing programs. The successful candidate will contribute to scientific product development, satellite data processing, cloud-enabled data services, data management modernization, user engagement, scientific communications, and operational support of NOAA CoastWatch data delivery platforms. This role combines scientific expertise, software engineering, data systems knowledge, and stakeholder engagement in support of mission-critical environmental data services.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and technical support for NOAA CoastWatch ocean, coastal, and inland water satellite data products and services.
• Support development, generation, processing, validation, and evaluation of environmental satellite products including sea surface temperature, ocean color, ocean heat content, vector winds, flood and inundation, sea and lake ice, and related value-added products.
• Maintain, enhance, and support scientific data access and delivery platforms including ERDDAP, THREDDS, API servers, and related services.
• Support data management modernization efforts utilizing HDF, NetCDF-CF, Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF, and other Earth science data standards.
• Support cloud-based processing, storage, dissemination, and access solutions using AWS and related cloud technologies.
• Contribute to design, testing, troubleshooting, enhancement, and operational support of satellite data processing systems and workflows.
• Support Linux-based web services, GIS-compliant map services, Google Maps integrations, ArcGIS Online services, and related geospatial applications.
• Develop and maintain technical and non-technical documentation including metadata documentation, user guides, validation reports, requirements documents, and scientific communications.
• Prepare and deliver scientific briefings, technical presentations, demonstrations, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, developers, and stakeholders to improve data accessibility, usability, and mission outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Oceanography, Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• Professional experience supporting satellite remote sensing data processing and environmental data products.
• Knowledge of satellite-derived products including sea surface temperature, ocean color, ocean heat content, water surface roughness, vector winds, flood and inundation, sea and lake ice, fused products, and AI-ready data products.
• Experience developing, maintaining, or supporting ERDDAP, THREDDS, API servers, or similar scientific data access systems.
• Knowledge of HDF, NetCDF-CF, Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF, GCTP, metadata standards, and cloud-optimized Earth science data formats.
• At least eight (8) years of scientific programming experience utilizing Python, FORTRAN, C/C++, Perl, shell scripting, Java, JavaScript, MATLAB, IDL, or related technologies.
• Proficiency with UNIX/Linux operating environments.
• Experience with Linux-based web services, CGI technologies, GIS-compliant internet mapping services, Google Maps, ArcGIS Online, or comparable platforms.
• Familiarity with AWS cloud environments and cloud-native approaches for scientific data processing and delivery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting NOAA, CoastWatch, NESDIS, environmental intelligence, oceanographic, atmospheric, or Earth observation programs.
• Experience developing cloud-native scientific data processing workflows and cloud-optimized geospatial data services.
• Knowledge of metadata standards, scientific data stewardship, FAIR data principles, and data governance best practices.
• Experience supporting scientific visualization, geospatial analysis, and Earth observation imagery products.
• Experience with AI-ready environmental data products, machine learning workflows, and data fusion methodologies.
• Experience supporting operational scientific systems requiring high availability, reliability, and customer-facing data services.
• Experience collaborating with Federal agencies, researchers, and operational users in mission-critical scientific environments.

Salary

$155,000

RIVA Benefits

• Paid Time Off / Sick Leave
• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• HSA/FSA Spending Accounts
• Long- and Short-Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• Wellness Program Initiatives
• RIVA Flex (Flexible Hours and Hybrid Support, where applicable)
• Additional Workplace Benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

RIVA Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.