Coastal Solutions Scientist

Surfline\Wavetrak, Inc. • San Diego, CA

6h • $90,000 - $100,000 • Remote

About The Position

Surfline Coastal Intelligence (SCI) turns ocean and coastal data into insights for communities, engineers, and agencies. The Coastal Solutions Scientist provides scientific expertise in partner conversations across the Americas and APAC, translating SCI’s data, models, and methods for scientists and decision makers. The role also develops reports and analyses that demonstrate the value of SCI’s capabilities.

The position may be performed full-time remotely under Surfline’s “Work from Anywhere” policy. California-based candidates are strongly preferred.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in oceanography, coastal engineering, or a related coastal science.
• Experience applying wave, tide, or sea level data to real-world coastal decisions.
• Ability to explain complex science clearly to expert and nonexpert audiences.
• Comfort answering difficult technical questions live and without a script.
• Proficiency with Python, R, or GIS tools for exploratory analyses.
• Intellectual honesty about what SCI’s data can and cannot support.
• Collaborative approach that prioritizes the partner’s decision.
• Strong writing skills for reports intended for busy decision makers.
• Genuine interest in coasts and the communities that depend on them.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a client-facing, consulting, or sales engineering role.
• Familiarity with NOAA, FEMA, or USACE coastal programs and standards.
• Passion for surfing or other ocean activities.

Responsibilities

• Join the SCI team on calls and in meetings when partners raise complex scientific questions.
• Serve as SCI’s scientific peer to coastal scientists and engineers on partner and prospect teams.
• Explain SCI’s data sources, models, and methods clearly, including their strengths and limits.
• Translate partner questions into the SCI datasets, forecasts, and analyses that can address them.
• Build reports and light analyses that show where SCI’s capabilities create measurable value.
• Support structured pilots by defining scientific success metrics and rigorously evaluating results.
• Prepare technical responses for RFPs, grant applications, and public procurement requirements.
• Validate SCI outputs against partner data and published research.
• Bring unanswered partner questions to product and data science teams as roadmap input.
• Create reusable case studies, technical briefs, and demonstration materials for the business development team.
• Help the sales team qualify opportunities by identifying where scientific fit is strong or weak.
• Coordinate with the dispersed SCI science team to involve the appropriate expert in each conversation.
• Represent SCI’s science at conferences, technical workshops, and industry events.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid healthcare, including medical, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) plan and match.
• ‘Use What You Need’ PTO.
• Competitive and comprehensive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time