Scientific Software Engineer / Computational Physicist

Aqua IT; Springfield (VA); On-site; 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

All Jobs Scientific Software Engineer / Computational Physicist

Scientific Software Engineer / Computational Physicist

We are seeking a Scientific Software Engineer / Computational Physicist to support a research and development program focused on remote sensing, physics-based modeling, and scientific algorithm development.

This role requires a strong background in scientific programming and applied physics. An initial focus will be evaluating an existing scientific codebase originally developed in MATLAB and later converted to Python. The engineer will assess both the software implementation and underlying physics to determine whether models and calculations accurately represent the intended physical phenomena.

The ideal candidate can independently review scientific code, understand the governing physics and mathematical models, identify questionable assumptions or implementations, and develop or improve computational approaches to support ongoing R&D efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, debug, validate, and improve scientific Python code, including functionality converted from legacy MATLAB.
• Evaluate whether computational models accurately represent the intended physics, mathematical assumptions, and governing equations.
• Identify errors or inconsistencies in scientific models, numerical implementations, and MATLAB-to-Python conversions.
• Work with physics-based models involving areas such as heat transfer, fluid dynamics, radiative processes, and material properties.
• Develop and evaluate algorithms supporting remote sensing, infrared sensing, spectral analysis, and related R&D efforts.
• Apply numerical modeling and optimization techniques to scientific and engineering problems.
• Translate physical principles, mathematical models, and scientific research into computational implementations.
• Develop validation approaches and evaluate model and algorithm performance, sensitivity, uncertainty, and limitations.
• Document and communicate technical findings, methodologies, assumptions, and recommendations.

Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MATLAB, particularly scientific or physics-based applications.
• Experience with infrared remote sensing and/or spectral analysis.
• Knowledge of flight dynamics.
• Experience with GitLab and Git CLI.
• Experience reviewing, comparing, converting, or validating MATLAB and Python scientific implementations.