Senior C++ Engineer for Ecological Modeling

Ladgov Corporation; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ladgov Corporation, in partnership with NOAA, seeks a Senior C++ Programmer to enhance and maintain the COMPASS ecological model. You will develop GUI features, improvements, and documentation while collaborating with NOAA scientists on model calibration and performance tuning.

The role requires strong C++ skills, experience with large OO C++ applications, and the ability to work with C++17, Qt 6, Boost, and Git. You will deploy Windows builds and ensure cross‑platform compatibility.

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in computer science or a related field.
• Must have at least 10 years of applied programming experience.
• Must demonstrate strong C++ proficiency through relevant completed projects.
• Must have experience working with large, complex, object-oriented C++ applications.
• Must be able to work with C++17, Qt 6, Boost, and Git.
• Must be able to compile, test, troubleshoot, and deploy software builds.
• Must be able to create Windows installer packages using NOAA’s documented process.
• Must communicate clearly and professionally with NOAA scientists and project personnel.
• Must provide regular progress reports and update technical and user documentation.
• Must be able to complete required NOAA security screening and information-technology training.
• Must protect NOAA data and comply with applicable information-security requirements.
• Coursework or experience in ecology, fisheries, oceanography, natural resources, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing ecological models used to support management decisions is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete development of the COMPASS graphical user interface.
• Add controls that allow users to modify model parameters and environmental data, including flow and temperature.
• Complete the adult fish passage module for upstream migration and dam passage.
• Develop ecological functions for reservoir survival, travel time, tailrace delay, fish-ladder movement, fallback, and harvest.
• Work with NOAA scientists to calibrate model parameters using radio-telemetry and PIT-tag data.
• Troubleshoot, debug, test, and maintain approximately 230,000 lines of C++ code.
• Implement model changes requested by NOAA’s West Coast Region.
• Support analyses related to salmon management, hydropower operations, litigation, and the Endangered Species and Magnuson-Stevens Acts.
• Improve software speed, efficiency, memory usage, reliability, and ease of use when necessary.
• Maintain existing acceptance-test parity and confirm that updates produce correct results.
• Create and deploy Windows builds while maintaining compatibility with Linux and macOS where practical.
• Document completed work and provide evidence that each update functions as expected.
• Support the graphical interface and adult passage module during any exercised option years.
• During Option Year One, add tributary travel-time and survival functionality and other NOAA-prioritized ecological features.
• During later option years, continue maintenance and expand features based on previously completed work.
• Obtain written NOAA approval before performing work that expands the agreed scope.
• Ensure all code and documentation developed under the contract are delivered to and become the property of the U.S. Government.

Skills

C++

C++17

Qt 6

Boost

Git

OO C++ apps

Debugging

GUI development

Security training

Documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Windows

Linux

macOS

Job description

Ladgov Corporation, in partnership with NOAA, seeks a Senior C++ Programmer to enhance and maintain the COMPASS ecological model. You will develop GUI features, improvements, and documentation while collaborating with NOAA scientists on model calibration and performance tuning.

The role requires strong C++ skills, experience with large OO C++ applications, and the ability to work with C++17, Qt 6, Boost, and Git. You will deploy Windows builds and ensure cross‑platform compatibility.