Observing Systems Engineer; Engineer III

Observing Systems Engineer For Fwi Supporting Nssl's Vortex-Usa Program

As an Observing Systems Engineer for FWI supporting NSSL's VORTEX-USA program in Norman, Oklahoma, you will lead the testing, integration, maintenance, and deployment of stereo photogrammetry systems and related instrumentation on NSSL's fixed and mobile observation platforms. Your work — tracking airborne debris in tornadoes and cloud motions, building enclosures that protect camera systems from the elements, and cross-validating data against NSSL's other observing platforms — sits at the intersection of hands-on hardware engineering and cutting-edge severe storms science.

This is a field-focused role for an engineer who can work independently across multiple integrated systems and is just as comfortable writing data

Work Schedule and

Location:

Hybrid:
This full-time hybrid position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM CST to 5 PM CST, with 90% at National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations.

• Collaborate with NSSL scientists and engineers to continue development, testing, and installation of NSSL optical camera systems on vehicle platforms for tracking airborne objects (e.g., tornado debris) using photogrammetric techniques
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists and engineers to design solutions for deploying camera platforms in adverse weather conditions
• Develop and integrate requisite software for data quality assurance, effective operations, and efficient data analysis for photogrammetry and other observation platforms
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists to integrate photogrammetric observations, GPS heading and information, and other onboard instruments
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists to perform maintenance and improvements to vehicle platforms and instrument integrations for field data collection
• Identify and document capabilities of systems to guide optimal collection of imagery and data to meet research goals
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists and engineers to develop workflows to analyze imagery to track imaged objects
• Prototype analysis tools for integrating data from tracked objects from multiple observation points
• Evaluate and cross-validate data with other NSSL observing platforms
• Assist NSSL staff in developing, testing, and deploying other NSSL experimental observing systems
• Contribute to NSSL field data collection and collaborative research efforts led by other scientists
• Provide technical documentation (e.g., schematics, code repositories, test reports) for development activities
• Prepare quarterly reports of status
• Write a brief report following AMS guidelines and prepare a conference-style presentation; present to project stakeholders and at a national or international conference if possible

Required:

• BA/BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 6+ years of full-time engineering experience

Desired:

• Demonstrated experience independently integrating multiple sensor and instrumentation systems across fixed and mobile platforms
• Experience with optical measurements and image processing for scientific and/or technical applications
• Experience developing software and visualization techniques for scientific data collection and analysis
• Experience designing and implementing custom solutions for deploying observing platforms (preferred)
• Experience participating in field projects for scientific data collection (preferred)
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and other coding languages for data workflows and analysis
• Ability to work as part of a technical team, preferably for field data collection

Work Setting and Environment

• Primary location:
  National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations
• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays; field data-collection activities may require irregular hours during active severe weather events
• Remote work arrangements must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR); on-site presence may be required based on mission, field operations, collaboration, or security needs
• Local and non-local travel may be required, not anticipated to exceed 5% annually; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
• Must complete an online IT security awareness course within one week of starting work
• Foreign national candidates are subject to export control review and require CO/COR approval prior to consideration
• Government-furnished equipment provided, including access to HPC resources, specialized mobile observation platforms, laboratory test equipment, computers, and office workspace, as applicable

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

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