Senior Computational Scientist/Scientific Programmer

Riverside Research Institute; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research seeks a Senior Computational Scientist/Scientific Programmer to advance computational electromagnetics, scientific computing, and physics-based modeling for government and defense programs.

The role combines technical leadership with independent problem solving, customer engagement, and the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams from concept to implementation; candidates may work in Fairfax, VA or Dayton, OH.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with CI Poly.
• Degree in physics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or related STEM field.
• Experience developing physics-based computational models or scientific simulation software.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in computational electromagnetics, applied mathematics, and scientific modeling.
• Lead research, develop numerical methods, and validate physics-based models.
• Serve as technical lead or PI for research and customer-funded efforts.
• Engage with government/defense customers to identify opportunities for follow-on work.
• Contribute to technical proposals, roadmaps, and government program plans.
• Mentor junior staff and promote rigorous engineering practices.

Skills

Technical leadership

Problem solving

Customer engagement

Mentoring

Education

PhD in related STEM field

Master's in STEM

Bachelor's in STEM

Tools

C/C++/Fortran

Python

Job description

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country's most challenging technical problems. All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Position Overview

Riverside Research's Applied Mathematics and Physics Solutions group is seeking a Senior Computational Scientist/Scientific Programmer to advance high-impact computational electromagnetics (CEM), scientific computing, and physics-based modeling and simulation capabilities in support of challenging government and defense applications.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with independent problem-solving, technical leadership, and business acumen. This individual will lead and contribute to the development of advanced computational methods, guide multidisciplinary technical teams, and translate complex customer problems into effective technical solutions.

The position offers the opportunity to shape technical direction, lead research and development efforts, engage directly with customers, and help grow a portfolio of technical programs and capabilities. The successful candidate will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, communicate effectively across technical and business audiences, and take ownership of technical outcomes.

Candidate can work in our facilities in Fairfax, VA or Dayton, OH.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Provide technical direction and subject matter expertise in computational electromagnetics, applied mathematics, computational physics, and scientific modeling and simulation. Formulate approaches to complex technical problems, evaluate alternatives, manage technical risk, and drive solutions from concept through implementation and validation.
• Research and Algorithm Development: Research, develop, implement, evaluate, and improve state-of-the-art numerical methods, computational algorithms, and physics-based models to address challenging electromagnetic and related scientific problems.
• Technical Program Leadership: Serve as a Principal Investigator (PI), technical lead, or equivalent technical authority for research, development, and customer-funded efforts. Establish technical objectives, develop execution strategies, manage technical risks, and ensure delivery of high-quality results.
• Customer Engagement and Business Growth: Engage with government and defense customers to understand mission needs, communicate technical approaches, build customer confidence, and identify opportunities for follow-on work and new technical capabilities.
• Technical Planning and Proposal Development : Contribute to technical volumes, cost and schedule estimates, statements of work, multi-year technical roadmaps, and government proposals. Help shape fundable research and development concepts aligned with customer needs and organizational strategy.
• Software and Computational Development: Contribute to scientific software development through algorithm design, requirements definition, interface specifications, verification and validation planning, code reviews, and performance evaluation. Collaborate with software engineers to ensure that computational methods are implemented as reliable, maintainable, and usable software.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Provide technical guidance and coordinate work across scientists, software engineers, electrical and RF engineers, program managers, and other stakeholders. Align technical execution with program objectives, schedules, resources, and customer commitments.
• Technical Communication: Prepare and present technical reports, research findings, briefings, and recommendations for audiences ranging from technical specialists to customers and senior leadership.
• Mentoring and Team Development: Mentor junior and mid-level staff, promote technical rigor and sound engineering practices, and help develop the next generation of technical leaders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance and consent to CI Poly
• Education and Experience:
• Degree in physics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related STEM discipline
• Bachelor's with 8+ years of experience, or
• Master's with 6+ years of experience
• PhD with 3+ years of experience
• Relevant years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrated experience developing, applying, or validating physics-based computational models, numerical methods, or scientific simulation software.
• Strong foundation in applied mathematics, numerical analysis, computational physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated proficiency in scientific computing and programming, including experience in a relevant compiled language such as C, C++, or Fortran and/or an equivalent scientific programming en