Scientific Software Developer for MPAS Infrastructure

Lynker Corporation•College Park, MD

2d•$75,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Lynker Corporation is seeking a Scientific Software Developer to support MPAS infrastructure and integrate the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) as a new dynamical core within the UFS Weather Model. The role focuses on coupling infrastructure, component updates, model testing, portability, performance, and continued development of the UFS model. The ideal candidate is local to the DC Metro area and will work a hybrid schedule: two days per week in the College Park, Maryland office and three days per week from home. The developer will work across scientific software and high-performance computing platforms, supporting build systems, automated testing, CI workflows, and heterogeneous computing capabilities such as GPUs. The role also involves performance profiling, debugging, code documentation, and applying generative AI tools to code and technical documentation development. The position serves as a technical point of contact for external model components and UFS stakeholders. It includes reviewing and integrating contributions from multiple teams, maintaining external component awareness, and providing technical mentoring. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or Green Card holders and should indicate their status in their cover letter.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder and indicate this in the cover letter.
Background in meteorology/NWP, physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, software engineering, scientific computing, or a closely related field, with demonstrated numerical modeling or related scientific computing experience.
Experience with or strong foundational understanding of Earth system or other dynamical modeling; MPAS or other dynamical cores are preferred.
Proficiency in Fortran, including F95+ and object-oriented concepts, and Python, including OOP and automation.
Proficiency in Bash shell scripting and scientific software development in Linux or similar environments.
Working knowledge of modern software engineering practices, including modular design, unit testing, and standalone component testing frameworks.
Experience developing, configuring, and running parallel Earth system or similar models on HPC systems.
Working knowledge of HPC job schedulers such as SLURM or PBS.
Proficiency with Git-based version control and code management, including branching or forking, pull or merge requests, and issue or project tracking.
Experience using AI tools to advance code and documentation development, or willingness to learn.
Good verbal and written communication skills in English.
Ability to work effectively and professionally in a diverse, customer-focused team with physical scientists, software engineers, and inter-agency partner teams.
Ability to independently identify, prioritize, and implement bug fixes and new features.
Ability to provide technical mentorship and maintain user-facing developer documentation.

Nice To Haves

Practical experience with coupled Earth system model frameworks such as ESMF, NUOPC, mediators, and component interactions.
Experience developing and running individual atmosphere, ocean, wave, or ice components.
GPU or other heterogeneous computing experience or familiarity.
Experience with CMake-based build systems and CTest; development experience is strongly preferred.
Experience in C++.
Experience working in Agile/Scrum development environments.
Experience developing, debugging, and maintaining CI and other automated workflows.
Familiarity with package managers such as Spack and containerization technologies such as Apptainer/Singularity, Docker, or Podman.

Responsibilities

Develop infrastructure to integrate MPAS as a new dynamical core in the UFS Weather Model, including necessary component updates and integration.
Develop, expand, and support NUOPC caps, coupling infrastructure, coupled field exchanges, component interactions, and mediator configurations.
Develop capabilities and modular frameworks for standalone testing of individual components in the coupled model.
Ensure portability of compiled code, build configurations, and unit and regression testing workflows across scientific HPC platforms, including support for heterogeneous computing such as GPUs.
Profile parallel code at scale, identify performance bottlenecks, and investigate scalability algorithms for refactoring, compression, or replacement with third-party implementations.
Build, maintain, debug, and refactor automated CI workflows and use modern Git-based code management and agile development practices.
Identify, evaluate, and apply GenAI and LLM tools to improve model development, code generation, and technical documentation.
Monitor developments in scientific HPC hardware, compilers, and software architectures to help the UFS model adapt to technological changes.
Serve as subject matter expert and technical point of contact for CICE and CDEPS, tracking external repository developments that affect the UFS Weather Model.
Manage relationships with UFS Weather Model stakeholders and application teams, act as a point of contact, and review and integrate multi-team contributions.
Maintain code documentation, troubleshoot build failures and runtime errors, use advanced debugging tools, and provide technical mentoring to colleagues.
Maintain user-facing developer documentation.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost, covering medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision.
Personal Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
Competitive compensation calibrated against industry and location benchmarks.
401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Flexible spending accounts.
Employee assistance program (EAP).
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life and accident insurance.
Tuition assistance, training, and workforce improvement reimbursement per year.
Spot bonuses for exceptional performance.
Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses.
Employee Referral Program.
Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System.
Personalized career growth plans for every employee.