Engineer II - Polar

EarthScope Consortium; Socorro (NM); On-site; USD 93,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan (Comprehensive)

Disability coverage

401(k) with company match

Life Insurance

PTO & Holidays

Job summary

EarthScope Consortium invites applications for Engineer II - Polar in Socorro, NM. The role supports field projects across the United States and polar regions, coordinating logistics, instrumentation, data, and reports in a high-demand environment.

Responsibilities include developing procedures, ensuring data quality, and training staff while reporting to the Engineering Manager II. Travel up to 30% is required, with relocation considerations to Albuquerque in Fall 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering/geosciences with 3 years of experience in geophysical sensors or networks.
• Master's degree with 1 year of field experience with geophysical sensors or networks.
• Familiarity with data quality analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Implement geophysical projects including logistics, site reconnaissance, installation activities and data flow.
• Identify and solve standard issues related to geophysical sensor hardware, firmware, software, and metadata.
• Draft technical reports and assist with documentation and project budgeting as needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with communities, suppliers, and partners.

Skills

Geophysical sensors

Logistics coordination

Field operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/geosciences

Master's degree in engineering/geosciences

Tools

GNSS receivers and antennas

Job description

*Please read all the requirements for the Engineer II - Polar position listed below

Cover Letter Requirement

A cover letter must be submitted along with your resume. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

• Note: If applying through Indeed and unable to upload a cover letter, please email your cover letter to [e-mail] after submitting your application.

Application Limit

This posting will close after the first 100 qualified applications have been received.

Work Authorization

EarthScope Consortium Inc. is not able to sponsor employment visas for this position.

Work Location Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work and physically reside within the 50 United States. EarthScope is only able to employ individuals working within these states.

Deployment to Polar Environments

If deploying to polar environments, you must be able to meet the Physical Qualification Determination for Arctic and Antarctic deployments (PESJ-POL_2000.09a)

Please review the link provided. https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/soh/polar-physical-qualification

Job Title

Engineer II - Polar

Reports to

Engineering Manager II, Polar Field Team subunit Lead

Employment/FLSA Status

Full-Time/Exempt

On-Site Monday-Friday

Socorro, New Mexico. U.S. and transition to a new Albuquerque, NM location in FALL 2026

Travel Requirements

Up to 30%

Salary Range

$93,150 - $112,815 (depending on experience, skills, and qualifications relative to the job requirements)

Benefits and Perks

• Comprehensive Medical Plan Covering Medical, Dental, Vision
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• 403(b) Plan with Company Match
• Life Insurance
• PTO, Paid Holidays

Position Summary

The Engineer II (EII) manages and implements multiple field projects of varying complexity to provide technical support for geophysical instruments and networks. The incumbent will arrange logistics and participate in field operations at sites throughout the United States, polar latitudes, and other international locations. This position builds on instrumentation knowledge gained in previous engineering levels and works with members from their own team and other staff engineers from other projects and departments within the organization. Under supervision of the Engineering Manager, the incumbent will identify and propose new geophysical related technologies and assist with training of other staff and the user community. The EII will contribute to reporting and project documentation and ensure all work conforms to best practices and organizational standards. Engineers are ambassadors who represent these principles to scientists, landowners, sponsors, and other community members. The EII will report to the Engineering Manager or be tasked by a higher-level engineer within designated project and functional areas.

Details of Responsibilities

General Essential Job Duties

• Implement individual geophysical projects and assists with the execution of multiple projects of limited complexity, which may include logistics, site reconnaissance, site selection, permitting, installation activities, maintenance, network configuration, instrument operation, station communications and/or data flow activities as part of a portfolio of geophysical technologies.
• Identify and solve standard technical issues related to geophysical sensor hardware, firmware, software, metadata creation and management, and data communications and receive guidance on complex problems. Seek direction when necessary.
• Assist with the design and testing of new systems.
• Under supervision of the Engineering Manager, evaluates instrument design and data/metadata to determine the adequacy of deployed and next generation systems.
• Assists with specifying station configurations and data/metadata collection strategies.
• Ensure appropriate documentation of activities and metadata using established tools, protocols, and databases as maintained by the organization.
• Draft detailed technical reports for review by the Engineering Manager.
• Assist with the development of technical documentation formats and feedback for projects.
• As directed by an Engineering Manager, may have variable budgeting responsibilities, including developing cost estimates that impact individual projects, providing summaries of progress on statements of work, and tracking and submitting project expenditures.
• Participates with other departments within EarthScope on collaborative projects/opportunities.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with community members, suppliers, landowners, and business partners within areas of expertise and project assignments.
• Other duties may be assigned as necessary for the successful operation of EarthScope.

Leadership and Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not have supervisory responsibility.
• Foster a professional culture through the use of strong interpersonal skills, verbal and written communications with an emphasis on team building.
• Work with engineering and project teams.
• Act as lead engineer and point of contact if they are the ranking engineer in the field.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with other team members to ensure tasks are completed on time and with best practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in engineering, geosciences, or related field with three (3) years of experience with geophysical sensors or networks

OR

• Master's degree or equivalent professional experience in engineering, geosciences, or related field and one (1) year of field experience with geophysical sensors or networks

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with data quality analysis software.

Assignment-specific Position Summary

Positions in Instrumentation Services will include job specific addenda that specify and clarify Functional, Programmatic, and any additional responsibilities that are pertinent to that position. This is in addition to the general Position Description requirements associated with the job title.

Assignment-specific Essential Duties

Functional responsibilities

• Reports to and is supervised by the IS Field Operations Department Polar Field Team subunit Engineering Manager II

Programmatic responsibilities

• Senior Program Manager for NGF Polar Services provides prioritization for polar engineering and PI support activities in coordination with the IS Field Operations Department Engineering Manager III.
• Reports to Polar Field Team subunit Engineering Manager II or the IS Field Operations Department Engineering Manager III for specific tasking, project prioritization, and milestone setting.

• Supports NGF polar field and engineering activities

• Manage polar field and warehouse operations, including inventory management, configuration, testing, and shipping of the following:

• satellite and point to point radio-based data communications equipment,
• GNSS receivers and antennas, including those in the OPP portable pool
• portable seismic sensors, digitizers, and associated power systems
• expendable materials (e.g., batteries and solar panels)
• other miscellaneous items to support GPS/GNSS station maintenance in the polar regions.

• Manage geodetic imaging instruments (TLS, UAV-SfM) and supporting materials.
• Other duties may be assigned as necessary for the successful operation of the business.

Other

• Advance approval from your functional manager and the VP, Instrumentation is required for any physical relocation that changes your proximity to your assigned duty station.

Assignment-specific Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability for the position above and beyond the knowledge, skills & abilities listed in the position description:

• Personnel assigned to polar support may deploy to Antarctica or Arctic regions as required by NSF and coordinated by the US Antarctic Program.
• NGF Facility Polar Support Services staff split their effort between Arctic (35%) and Antarctic (65%) projects.
• Travel to Polar regions requires passing the USAP Physical Qualification Assessment and work will be in remote, extreme isolated environments, and work is physically demanding.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability for the position:

• Technical knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures for geophysical sensors.
• Proficiency in the operation of hand and power tools (i.e., cordless drill, chop saw, grinder, etc.).
• Ability to take initiative to learn assigned technical/engineering skills within established time frames.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently to accomplish project goals.
• Ability to ensure personal accountability for the successful completion of projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively in speaking and writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Ability to apply logic and reasoning to solve moderately complex problems and make applicable decisions.
• Ability to understand moderately complex problems and to collaborate and explore alternative solutions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work schedules for self and others.
• Ability to compute, analyze, and interpret data.
• Ability to make decisions which have modest impact on the job function and limited impact on the organization in general.
• Ability to lead and engage in safety training under challenging field conditions.

Other Requirements

• Appropriate availability consistent with EarthScope established practices and norms; hours may exceed 40 hours per week, particularly when traveling.
• If the employee is engaged in field operations, they are required to maintain appropriate safety training, including wilderness, avalanche, helicopter, first-aid, etc.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Must be able to comply with the EarthScope Consortium's Motor Vehicle Policy.
• Frequent travel by commercial or contracted means including fixed and rotor winged aircraft, motor vehicle, boat, etc.
• A valid passport is required for polar and international projects.
• If deploying to polar environments, must be able to meet the Physical Qualification Determination for Arctic and Antarctic deployments (PESJ-POL_2000.09a).
• May be subject to pre-employment and periodic fitness for duty evaluations including medical examinations

Environment

Physical Setting and Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Continually required to stand.
• Continually required to walk.
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Continually required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl.
• Continually required to talk or hear.
• Continually work near moving mechanical parts.
• Frequently required to sit.
• Frequently work in high, precarious places.
• Field work conditions may involve high elevation, extreme cold, extreme heat, humidity, noise, hazards, and vibration.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 75 pounds over uneven terrain and long distances (up to 3 miles).
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: Domestic and international travel in remote or extreme environments by off-road vehicle, helicopter, fixed wing, or other specialty vehicles.

Acknowledgment

This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the requirements of the job and does not entail a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that will be required. The EarthScope Consortium reserves the right to add to, remove or modify this job description at any time. This includes the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as needed. The EarthScope Consortium also reserves the right to release or eliminate this position at any time.

Equal Opportunity

It is the policy of EarthScope Consortium not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee based on the criteria outlined in Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Reasonable accommodation may be requested to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EarthScope's Mission

EarthScope Consortium is a consortium dedicated to supporting transformative global geophysical research and education.

Applicants must be authorized to work permanently in the United States

EarthScope Consortium participates in E-Verify.

It is the policy of EarthScope Consortium not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee based on the criteria outlined in Title VI