Remote Sensing Software Engineer & Computational Physicist

Aqua IT; Springfield (VA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua IT is seeking a Scientific Software Engineer / Computational Physicist to advance R&D in remote sensing, physics-based modeling, and algorithm development. You will evaluate MATLAB-derived Python code and ensure models accurately reflect physics, supporting ongoing research and development.

You will review scientific code, identify inconsistencies, and improve computational approaches across heat transfer, fluid dynamics, radiative processes, and material properties.

Qualifications

• B.S. in STEM with 10+ years experience OR M.S. with 6+ years experience.
• Strong programming in Python for scientific computing.
• Experience with remote sensing.
• Experience with numerical modeling, scientific computing, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Background in physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or related field.
• Ability to evaluate scientific software and underlying models.
• Knowledge of optimization techniques such as particle swarm optimization.
• Active TS/SCI with willingness to obtain a CI Poly.

Responsibilities

• Review, debug, validate, and improve scientific Python code, including MATLAB→Python conversions.
• Evaluate whether computational models accurately reflect physics and equations.
• Identify errors or inconsistencies in models and numerical implementations.
• Work with physics-based models: heat transfer, fluid dynamics, radiative processes, material properties.
• Develop and evaluate algorithms for remote sensing, infrared sensing, and spectral analysis.
• Apply numerical modeling and optimization to scientific problems.
• Translate physical principles into computational implementations.
• Develop validation approaches and assess model performance, sensitivity, uncertainty, and limits.
• Document findings, methodologies, assumptions, and recommendations.

Skills

Python programming

Remote sensing

Numerical modeling

Scientific computing

Algorithm development

Physics background

Optimization techniques

Code evaluation

Education

B.S. in STEM (10+ years)

M.S. in STEM (6+ years)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

GitLab

Git CLI

Job description

Aqua IT is seeking a Scientific Software Engineer / Computational Physicist to advance R&D in remote sensing, physics-based modeling, and algorithm development. You will evaluate MATLAB-derived Python code and ensure models accurately reflect physics, supporting ongoing research and development.

You will review scientific code, identify inconsistencies, and improve computational approaches across heat transfer, fluid dynamics, radiative processes, and material properties.