Scientific Programmer IV

Axiom Consultants; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Consultants is seeking a Scientific Programmer IV to support nowCOAST with upgrades to STOFS-2D/3D, BlueTopo coverage, and NOAA product enhancements. You will develop Python-based data acquisition and GIS workflows, and test GeoServer integrations for reliability.

Role involves testing AWS-based monitoring, containerized deployment with Docker/Kubernetes, and building tools to ensure robust nowCOAST services ahead of hurricane season.

Qualifications

• Strong programming practices; Python and Javascript preferred; some Java knowledge.
• Experience with version control and Linux-based systems.
• Knowledge of NOAA data formats (netCDF, GRIB2, HDF5) and GIS data formats.

Responsibilities

• Assist in writing and modifying Python-based data acquisition, processing and ingest open-source software to support the dissemination of near real-time and regularly updated NOAA forecast products via nowCOAST's GIS web mapping services and interactive map viewer.
• Assist in adding more layers and/or services NOAA's nowCOAST GeoServer based web map server and map services to support the OCS and other NOAA products.
• Assist in testing and implementing web-based data visualization techniques to display additional the OCS and NOAA products.
• Assist in updating the S-100 product coverage and BlueTopo map services and display on viewer and display of S-104/S-111 forecast guidance on viewer.
• Provide support with upgrading and testing the compatibility of nowCOAST software upon the release of GeoServer Version 3 and assist in modifying nowCOAST software to be compatible with Version 3.
• Assist in updating documentation when new datasets and/or functionality are added.
• Assist in developing and testing end-to-end monitoring tools to ensure high reliability.

Skills

Python

Javascript

AWS

Linux

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science

Master's degree in meteorology/physical oceanography

Tools

Git

PostgreSQL/PostGIS

Docker

Kubernetes

GeoServer

React

Node.js

Job description

Axiom is looking for a Scientific Programmer IV to support nowCOAST assisting with scheduled upgrades or bug fixes to STOFS-2D and STOFS-3D, additions to BlueTopo coverage (the public data pipeline for NBS), and upgrades to NOAA products that need to be done prior to the start of the hurricane season. Support may be needed to test and modify nowCOAST software upon the release of a major upgrade of the GeoServer software to version 3 to ensure high reliability for nowCOAST users.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in writing and modifying Python-based data acquisition, processing and ingest open-source software to support the dissemination of near real-time and regularly updated NOAA forecast products (e.g., weather and ocean observations, imagery, marine weather forecasts and warnings, oceanographic forecast model guidance) via nowCOAST's GIS web mapping services (e.g., OGC protocols) and interactive map viewer.
• Assist in the adding more layers and/or services NOAA's nowCOAST GeoServer based web map server and map services to support the OCS and other NOAA products.
• Assist in testing and implementing web-based data visualization techniques to display additional the OCS and NOAA products (e.g., additional predictions from STOFS-2D and STOFS-3D, Next Generation Probabilistic Surge Model).
• Assist in updating the S-100 product coverage and BlueTopo map services and display on viewer and display of S-104/S-111 forecast guidance on viewer.
• Provide support with upgrading and testing the compatibility of nowCOAST software upon the release of GeoServer Version 3 and assist in modifying nowCOAST software to be compatible with Version 3.
• Assist in updating documentation when new datasets and/or functionality are added.
• Assist in developing and testing end-to-end monitoring tools to ensure high reliability (e.g., improvements to CloudWatch dashboard and/or NWS Central Operations (NCO) BigBrother-like dashboard).

Education:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, meteorology, or physical oceanography (4

Experience:

2-4 years in software development especially with GIS web mapping and Python-based applications, inclusive of graduate school work

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of and experience with general programming practices. Preferred languages include Python and Javascript as well as some Java knowledge and experience with development and deployment of Python packages and modules.
• Knowledge and experience with version control best practices and experience with version control software.
• Ability to work within Linux-based computer systems.
• Familiarity with NOAA's scientific raster and vector data sets (e.g., ocean model forecast guidance, weather satellite imagery, and in-situ weather and ocean observations) and scientific data formats (e.g., netCDF, GRIB2, HDF5, shapefiles, geopackages).
• Experience working in a technical/scientific field including code documentation.
• Working familiarity with AWS services and resources (e.g., Lambda, EC2, S3, EKS).
• Knowledge with GeoServer and/or relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL/PostGIS).
• Some experience with React/node.js and front-end design.
• Experience in writing technical documentation.
• Working familiarity with container-based software development and deployment (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

Axiom offers competitive compensation packages including comprehensive medical/dental/life insurance and matching 401(k) contribution.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)