On-Call Scientific Software Engineer (Climate)

On-Call Scientific Software Engineer (Climate)

Location: US Remote

ICF seeks a Scientific Software Engineer for the ClimateSight project a cutting-edge initiative focused on scalable distributed modeling of climate-related geospatial data. This position will collaborate closely with domain scientists and technical experts to transform experimental code into robust production-ready software. The engineer will lead efforts to refactor and optimize Python-based models for distributed computing using the Pangeo ecosystem particularly Xarray and Dask and will help integrate these models into a modular well-documented Python package.

The successful candidate will bring deep experience in scientific computing object-oriented Python development and cloud-based data workflows. They will be responsible for implementing memory-efficient stochastic modeling methods managing virtual environments and ensuring compatibility with ARCO geospatial formats in AWS S3. This role requires a proactive collaborative mindset and a commitment to building tools that are both high-performing and accessible to a broad range of users.

This is a remote on-call hourly role that provides flexibility to work from zero to 20 hours per week.

Please note: Please ensure experience with Xarray and Dask is clearly notated on resume and/or cover letter for immediate consideration.

About On-Call Employment with ICF

Given the seasonal or project-specific nature of this project ICF often hires professionals as On-Call employees. On-Call employees are scheduled for work hours as they become available (while we usually schedule work hours a few weeks ahead of time and each on-call employee is free to accept or refuse the hours assigned to them in a given week. On-Call employees may work concurrent projects outside of their ICF assignment (as long as their outside work does not create a conflict of interest with the work they do for ICF).

Key Responsibilities

• Work with domain and technical experts to refactor existing experimental code to optimized production code (e.g. refactoring models to Python classes with appropriate methods).

• Refactor/develop code to allow out-of-core computing across a distributed cluster using Xarray and Dask.

• Implement methods for stochastic modeling (e.g. Monte Carlo sampling) in a memory-efficient and Dask-compatible manner.

• In collaboration with domain and technical experts organize disparate functions and models into a fully integrated Python package including interchangeable submodules for performing different stages of modeling.

• Write thorough and accessible documentation for using maintaining and expanding the developed package so that it is easily applied by other staff.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering computer science or related discipline.

• 5 years of experience with the Pangeo ecosystem of Python packages especially Xarray and Dask libraries.

• 5 years of experience refactoring Python functions to Dask-compatible versions suitable for distributed computing e.g. using apply ufunc and mapblocks from Xarray.

• 5 years of experience working with and producing ARCO geospatial data formats (e.g. Zarr stores within AWS S3 storage).

• Experience in object-oriented approaches to Python development.

• Experience developing and deploying Python packages.

• Experience with virtual environment management (e.g. using uv and pixi).

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Climate Science Physics Math or Environmental Science background.

Professional Skills

• Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Great organization and time management skills.

• Excellent verbal interpersonal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated outstanding level of professionalism in providing administrative support including ability to exercise good judgment discretion tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to apply detailed knowledge of organizational procedures to make independent decisions.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce error-free work products.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with ability to analyze situations identify existing or potential problems and recommend solutions.

• Proficient with virtual communication platforms.

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position including but not limited to relevant work experience skills certifications and competencies that align to the specified role geographic location education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: