General Application

About the role

You will architect the end-to-end workflow for cloud seeding operations, treating the atmosphere as a programmable system. Your primary focus is establishing the critical link between radar confirmation and dispersion mechanisms to ensure reliable precipitation enhancement under variable conditions. You will design the intake pipelines responsible for processing radar and aircraft data to feed our weather modeling engines with high-fidelity inputs. The role requires the construction of dispersion payload hardware and the flight software that enables UAS platforms to operate in harsh atmospheric conditions without failure. A core function is the coordination of in-situ measurements with remote sensing data to validate cloud microphysics during active missions and adjust strategies on the fly. You will plan and execute operational flight campaigns, ensuring that enhanced precipitation meets predefined scientific and operational thresholds for safety and efficacy. Collaboration with meteorologists and engineers is essential to align numerical forecasts with physical seeding strategies in real time to optimize outcomes. You will refine weather-resistant vehicle configurations based on observed flight performance and data quality metrics to drive continuous improvement.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute the work outlined for the with precision and adherence to established protocols.
• Translate atmospheric data streams into actionable flight plans that account for dynamic weather variables and mission objectives.
• Construct and maintain the software and firmware stack that allows UAS platforms to interface with dispersion mechanisms and sensing suites.
• Orchestrate the integration of radar validation processes with ground-based and airborne instrumentation to ensure data coherence.
• Engineer hardware configurations for dispersion payloads that meet strict reliability standards for moisture interaction and particle release.
• Analyze in-situ sensor readings to calibrate models of cloud microphysics and refine seeding strategies for optimal precipitation outcomes.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot anomalies in flight performance or data quality that could impact mission integrity.
• Assess the compatibility of sustainable seed materials with target atmospheric profiles to ensure environmental and operational suitability.
• Implement rigorous review checkpoints that verify system readiness, safety compliance, and alignment with scientific goals before every mission launch window.
• Monitor flight campaigns in real time to identify deviations from plan and initiate corrective actions that preserve data validity and system safety.
• Document all design decisions, validation results, and operational procedures to create a durable knowledge base for future engineering iterations.
• Champion the adoption of best practices in numerical weather modeling to improve forecast accuracy and mission planning efficiency.
• Lead the evaluation of new UAS platform configurations to determine optimal setups for diverse atmospheric conditions and mission profiles.
• Drive the continuous improvement of end-to-end workflows by identifying bottlenecks and proposing scalable solutions for operational growth.

Requirements

• You must possess hands-on experience with numerical weather modeling and radar validation methodologies to ensure accurate mission planning.
• A minimum of six years of experience working on complex operational systems in harsh environments is required to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.
• You must have a deep understanding of how dispersion mechanisms integrate with UAS hardware and flight control layers for seamless operation.
• The ability to interpret remote sensing outputs and match them against in-situ atmospheric measurements is critical for maintaining data integrity.
• Clear communication with cross-functional teams regarding technical risks and mission objectives is mandatory to uphold safety and performance standards.
• You must be capable of working within the constraints of full-time engagement in El Segundo, California, to ensure consistent availability for mission-critical activities.
• Compliance with all operational guidelines and safety protocols is non-negotiable to protect personnel, equipment, and atmospheric integrity.
• A commitment to following detailed procedures without deviation is essential to maintain the reliability and reproducibility of mission outcomes.

Nice to have

No specific nice-to-have qualifications are listed for this role.

Practical notes

Details regarding the application process can be confirmed Prospective candidates are advised to review the latest information there.

The role operates on a full-time basis with a standard hourly commitment aligned with operational needs. Travel is not required as all mission-critical activities are based at the facility in El Segundo, California. Candidates must be eligible for employment in the United States without sponsorship for this position at this time. There are no published deadlines for application review, but early submission is encouraged to secure consideration for upcoming operational cycles.