Lynker Technologies
Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer

US-MD-College Park

Job ID: 2026-1556
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
College Park, MD

Overview

Lynker is seeking a Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer to support a long term NOAA contract, carrying out research and development work related to future operational hurricane forecast systems. The successful Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer will involve the development, testing, and evaluation of the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS), which is the Unified Forecast System’s (UFS) hurricane application, providing reliable, robust, and skillful model forecasts for tropical cyclones (TCs). This role is a future opportunity, and contingent on contract award.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer will include the following:

The Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer will perform the job duties in a high-quality, independent, and collaborative way, assisting in managing projects and developing and applying innovative methods for the primary work areas. The candidate will work with NOAA scientists and external collaborators to develop and evaluate the current and future operational hurricane forecast systems, as well as to design, develop and evaluate HAFS ensemble analysis and forecast for downstream applications. The candidate will work with advanced UFS infrastructure and multi-scale modeling framework, improving hurricane specific physics, data assimilation, dynamics, and high-resolution telescoping and moving nest techniques. Detailed responsibilities will include at least two aspects or more of the following areas.

• Implement and advance hurricane-specific physics schemes within the UFS framework.
• Develop and advance inner-core storm initialization and data assimilation techniques for hurricane forecasting.
• Develop and improve UFS-based dynamics and moving-nesting for high-resolution hurricane modeling.
• Develop and advance UFS-based earth system (atmosphere, land, ocean, wave, storm surge, etc.) coupled modeling system for hurricane forecasting.
• Develop advanced scripts for flexible end-to-end system integration and automation, and allow for additional functionalities.
• Design, setup, and conduct pre-implementation tests for experimental and operational hurricane model upgrades.
• Explore, develop, test and evaluate the HAFS based ensemble forecast system.

Qualifications

The Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer selected should have the following:

• A Master’s Degree or higher in atmospheric sciences or meteorology, oceanic, mathematics, or related physical science
• 2+ years of experience in the area of hurricane and tropical cyclone (TC) modeling.
• Advanced knowledge of tropical meteorology and experience in developing hurricane numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems for operational implementation.
• Excellent knowledge and skills of modern programming languages and object-oriented languages, such as FORTRAN90 and Python.
• Skills and knowledge of the High Performing Computing environment.
• Proficient with modern software development practices and version control software.
• Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with scientists of diverse backgrounds on technical details of the work plan and present results accurately and clearly in both oral and written form.
• Ability to work independently on complex problems in a team and fast-paced environment and demonstrated skill in performing tasks requiring organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to support team initiatives, demonstrate respect for team members, and seek team consensus

The Ideal Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer will have the following:

• Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) weather modeling, specifically for hurricane prediction, is a BIG PLUS
• Familiarity with operational NWP and/or an operational forecasting environment.
• Experience with UFS applications and knowledge of earth system modeling.
• Experience in high-resolution model development in various infrastructures (ESMF, FMS, CCPP, JEDI, etc.).
• Familiarity with advanced TC data assimilation systems/algorithms.
• Experience/knowledge of hurricane model evaluation and verification.
• Familiarity with agile software development practices.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.