Lead Scientific EngineerProgrammer

Software Placement Group; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Placement Group in Seattle is seeking a Lead Scientific Engineer/Programmer to shape new modeling capabilities within a cutting-edge simulation framework. You will work at the intersection of applied mathematics, software engineering, and scientific computing, driving numerical innovation.

The role demands advanced degrees and strong C++ expertise, with responsibilities spanning algorithmic development, model verification, documentation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in science or engineering with outstanding academic performance.
• Broad experience with applied math and numerical methods for solving science and engineering problems (e.g., matrix algebra, PDEs).
• Earth sciences or civil engineering background.
• Extensive C++ programming experience.
• Proven ability to design and implement practical numerical solutions to real-world problems.
• Good communication skills; must write effectively and enjoy interacting with other team members.

Responsibilities

• Own numerical and algorithmic development for the simulation platform.
• Build and verify models to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Create documentation and support knowledge transfer across the team.
• Collaborate with the software engineering team to integrate new or improved numerical capabilities into the core platform.
• Partner with the founding engineer to formalize existing modeling, QA, and support methodology.
• Apply machine learning to accelerate, approximate, or extend traditional numerical simulation methods.
• Help identify opportunities to modernize existing algorithmic infrastructure.

Skills

C++

Applied math

Numerical methods

Communication skills

Education

Master's or PhD in science or engineering

Tools

MATLAB

R

Tableau

Job description

Location: Seattle, WA | Schedule: Full-time, on-site

Overview

A fast-growing leader in dynamic simulation software for water resources, environmental systems, and complex engineering problems is seeking a Lead Scientific Engineer/Programmer. This role will directly shape new modeling capabilities within a state-of-the-art modeling and simulation framework, working at the intersection of applied mathematics, software engineering, and scientific computing.

What you'll do

• Own numerical and algorithmic development for the simulation platform
• Build and verify models to ensure accuracy and reliability
• Create documentation and support knowledge transfer across the team
• Collaborate with the software engineering team to integrate new or improved numerical capabilities into the core platform
• Partner with the founding engineer to formalize existing modeling, QA, and support methodology
• Apply machine learning to accelerate, approximate, or extend traditional numerical simulation methods
• Help identify opportunities to modernize existing algorithmic infrastructure

Required qualifications

• Master's or PhD in science or engineering, with outstanding academic performance
• Broad experience with applied math and numerical methods for solving science and engineering problems (e.g., matrix algebra, numerical methods for solving partial differential equations)
• Earth sciences or civil engineering background
• Extensive C++ programming experience
• Proven ability to design and implement practical numerical solutions to real-world problems
• Good communication skills; must write effectively and enjoy interacting with other team members

Preferred qualifications

• Earth sciences or civil engineering background including contaminant transport modeling, preferably
• C++ experience ideally in scientific or engineering applications
• Familiarity with commercial or open-source numerical libraries and frameworks is a plus
• Experience developing and supporting Windows desktop applications is a plus
• Hands-on experience with data science tools such as MATLAB, R, or Tableau is a plus
• Experience applying AI/ML techniques (e.g., machine learning models, LLM-based tools, or AI-assisted development) to scientific or engineering software

Why this role

This position offers direct impact in developing new modeling capabilities within a state-of-the-art modeling and simulation framework at a fast-growing leader in simulation software.