Engineering Services - Satellite Sensor Science and Crosscutting Technology

Background
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. Within NOAA, the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR), a division of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and reliability of environmental satellite measurements. These measurements are vital for forecasting the weather, environmental monitoring, and numerous other applications. STAR achieves this through rigorous calibration and validation processes, comparing satellite data with ground truth data and independent measurements. STAR’s comprehensive approach ensures that NOAA’s satellite data is of high quality, meets user needs, and supports accurate environmental monitoring and prediction.

The sensor science and crosscutting technology theme within STAR supports research and development for NOAA’s satellite sensor payloads, ensuring data quality and preparing for future instruments. This involves developing mathematical models and algorithms to interpret satellite measurements, enhancing our understanding of Earth's systems and their impact on weather and climate. STAR facilitates the transition of satellite data and technologies from research to applications, enabling end users to make informed decisions. STAR also collects in situ observations for sensor calibration, product validation, and data fusion with satellite measurements, aiding in the development and maintenance of satellite instruments and products while mitigating risks. These efforts help develop and sustain satellite instruments and products while reducing risks.

Position Description
ERT, Inc is seeking talented individuals interested in supporting work at the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). Multiple positions at a variety of education and experience levels will be available. Duties include the following:

Will work as part of collaborative teams to support the system/software design engineering and development of calibration tools and interfaces, and life cycle processing, maintenance, and stewardship of the JPSS/GOES-R series and other Sensor Data Records (SDR) including instrument and data product quality monitoring in support of the NESDIS/STAR integrated calibration/validation program. Will provide system engineering and related services in support of systems producing products derived from NOAA and non-NOAA satellite data, and data from other sources such as data collection platforms. Will support the government in developing, analyzing, and validating system architectures and interfaces, and related documentation. Will plan and execute the transition from research (and development) to operations, and develop all required processes such as validation, sustainment plans, and training of operational personnel. Will work closely with STAR SDR teams as well as inter-Agency collaborations and international partners on the development and maintenance of instrument and data product quality monitoring systems. This will include:
JPSS Satellite Instrument Cal/Val:This involves calibration and validation for instruments like the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), and Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) on various JPSS satellites. Activities include managing cal/val tasks, supporting operational calibration, investigating anomalies, improving data quality, and maintaining calibration parameters and tools.Integrated Cal/Val System (ICVS):The ICVS supports NOAA satellite instrument monitoring, expanding to include future instruments. It involves daily monitoring of instrument health and performance, anomaly detection, and root-cause analysis.GOES Instrument Cal/Val:This supports the GOES Calibration Working Group (CWG) in tasks such as operational calibration, anomaly investigation, and developing calibration tools and software.Ocean Sensor Cal/Val:This involves calibrating ocean remote sensing instruments, monitoring instrument stability, and conducting field experiments. Will integrate the existing and developing codes that are relevant to the instrument calibration, validation, and health status monitoring. Will develop and maintain cal/val tools, software, and critical datasets using configuration management systems with adequate documentation. Will prepare and deliver to the satellite program the calibration parameters based on analysis of pre-launch thermal vacuum data and support the testing of the look-up tables in the Algorithm Development Library (AD) implementation. Will support the operational calibration of SDR/L1b for the respective instruments, including characterizing, and monitoring the radiometric, spectral, and geometric quality of the SDR/L1b products, investigate anomalies, and propose corrective actions and/or mitigations. Will support continuing research and production of calibration data sets such as Marine Optical BuoY (MOBY), field campaigns, and other data surveys to support long-term maintenance and sustainment for products and instruments. Will support STAR satellite sensors, systems and supporting infrastructure development, capabilities, and maintenance to meet each mission life cycle phase from development, pre-launch simulations to post-launch operational verification, through long term maintenance and sustainment.  Will perform software development and system administration to ensure instrument and data product quality monitoring packages are working properly under different IT environments. Will identify and quantify designed system goals, recommend creation of alternative system design concepts, and verify the design is properly built and integrated to the requirements. Will support working with both Cloud and On-Premises software environments, including assisting in migrating products or systems to the Cloud and handling challenges, such as interim hybrid solutions. Will support exploration and demonstration of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) applications that sustain and/or improve the quality, completeness, and timeliness of STAR’s satellite products and services.

Required Skills

A minimum of 6+ years of applied science, software engineering and programming experience in satellite related applications (advanced degrees can offset multiple years of required experience). Experience in instrument calibration and validation. Software configuration and system administration abilities are recommended. Knowledge of, and/or background in, cloud computing and/or AI/ML are also a plus.

Must be able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to enter the applicable government facility.

Education
BS in an engineering discipline, atmospheric science, physical science, computer science, related discipline, or equivalent. Positions at the BS, MS, and PhD-level will be available.

Benefits
All full time employees are eligible for the following benefits upon starting: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Paid Time Off, and 11 Paid Federal Government Holidays.

ERT is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer - All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.