Lead Scientific Programmer

Datacor

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Datacor is seeking a creative problem-solver to join their development team as a Lead Scientific Programmer. This senior position will have a direct impact on developing new modeling capabilities to enhance GoldSim, a state-of-the-art modeling and simulation framework. This role is a hybrid of Lead Scientific Programmer and Software Engineer, focusing on the numerical solutions and mathematical/computer science algorithms underlying GoldSim's simulation engine. The position involves participating in design discussions, owning the theoretical foundation and implementation of algorithms in C++, and pushing practical improvements to GoldSim's numerical capabilities. The role also includes building and verifying GoldSim models, documenting methods, collaborating with the software engineering team, translating requirements, and serving as a technical resource for customer support and QA. Additionally, the role will explore modern computational approaches, including applying machine learning to simulation methods and identifying opportunities to modernize the existing algorithmic infrastructure.

Requirements

Masters or PhD level in science or engineering, with outstanding academic performance.
Broad experience with applied math and numerical methods for solving science and engineering problems (e.g., matrix algebra, numerical methods for solving partial differential equations).
Earth sciences or civil engineering background, preferably including contaminant transport modeling.
Extensive C++ programming experience, ideally in scientific or engineering applications; familiarity with commercial or open-source numerical libraries and frameworks is a plus.
Proven ability to design and implement practical numerical solutions to real-world problems.
Good communications skills, must write effectively and enjoy interacting with other team members.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and supporting Windows desktop applications is a plus.
Hands-on experience with data science tools such as MATLAB, R, or Tableau is a plus.
Experience applying AI/ML techniques (e.g., machine learning models, LLM-based tools, or AI-assisted development) to scientific or engineering software is a plus.

Responsibilities

Participate in design discussions and all aspects of the application development across the full development lifecycle, not just the mathematical layer.
Own the numerical solutions and mathematical/computer science algorithms underlying GoldSim's simulation engine - from the theoretical foundation (equations, algorithm design) through to implementation in our C++ codebase.
Push practical, real-world improvements to GoldSim's numerical capabilities, and propose new features driven by everyday or discipline-specific customer needs.
Build GoldSim models that apply and exercise the platform's numerical capabilities - for QA and verification, as example models shipped with the product, and in direct support of customers.
Use hands-on model-building as a primary way to validate that new or improved algorithms behave correctly in practice.
Document both the theoretical basis (equations, algorithm descriptions) and the practical implementation of GoldSim's numerical methods, so this knowledge isn't concentrated in one person.
Partner with the founding engineer to formalize existing modeling, QA, and support methodology.
Work alongside the software engineering team to integrate new or improved numerical capabilities into the broader platform.
Translate business and product requirements into technical specifications.
Serve as a technical resource for customer support and QA on advanced modeling and numerical questions.
Communicate technical/mathematical concepts clearly to engineers, QA, and product stakeholders.
Bring curiosity for modern computational approaches - including applying machine learning to accelerate, approximate, or extend traditional numerical simulation methods.
Help identify opportunities to modernize GoldSim's existing algorithmic infrastructure.