Wildfire Tech Liaison: AI & Remote Sensing for Fire Ops

Science Systems and Applications, Inc.; Lanham (MD); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) seeks an Operational Wildfire Management Technology Liaison to engage with domestic fire management stakeholders and support integration of NASA remote sensing fire tools into active fire management operations.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Earth science or related field and at least 6 years of experience, with strong communication skills and knowledge of geospatial data tools for operational decision-making.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Earth science, geography, forestry, fire science or related discipline with 6+ years in the field or equivalent.
• Experience translating complex scientific data for non-scientific operational audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for training, outreach and stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with fire behavior modeling, fire spread models, or geospatial data tools in fire management.
• Experience working with federal, state, or local fire management agencies (e.g., USFS, BLM, NIFC).
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between operational fire managers and technology developers to support wildfire management.
• Promote and implement AI-enabled, remote sensing, fire behavior, and geospatial decision-support tools for operational fire management.
• Provide training, technical assistance, and user support for operational wildfire technologies.
• Coordinate testing, evaluation, and implementation of emerging technologies in fire management workflows.
• Gather user feedback and translate operational needs into technology requirements and enhancements.
• Collaborate with interagency partners to advance technology integration and improve wildfire decision-making.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Geospatial data tools

Fire behavior modeling

Translate scientific data for non-scis

Experience with US fire agencies

Education

Master’s Degree in Earth science or related discipline

Tools

NASA fire remote sensing tools (e.g., FIRMS, VIIRS)

Job description

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) seeks an Operational Wildfire Management Technology Liaison to engage with domestic fire management stakeholders and support integration of NASA remote sensing fire tools into active fire management operations.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Earth science or related field and at least 6 years of experience, with strong communication skills and knowledge of geospatial data tools for operational decision-making.