Field Systems Engineer - Severe Weather Research

Overview

As an Observing Systems Engineer for FWI supporting NSSL's VORTEX-USA program in Norman, Oklahoma, you will lead the testing, integration, maintenance, and deployment of stereo photogrammetry systems and related instrumentation on NSSL's fixed and mobile observation platforms. Your work — tracking airborne debris in tornadoes and cloud motions, building enclosures that protect camera systems from the elements , and cross-validating data against NSSL's other observing platforms — sits at the intersection of hands-on hardware engineering and cutting-edge severe storms science. This is a field-focused role for an engineer who can work independently across multiple integrated systems and is just as comfortable writing data

Work Schedule and Location:

Hybrid: This full-time hybrid position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM CST to 5 PM CST, with 90% at National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025 and 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment. 

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with NSSL scientists and engineers to continue development, testing, and installation of NSSL optical camera systems on vehicle platforms for tracking airborne objects (e.g., tornado debris) using photogrammetric techniques
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists and engineers to design solutions for deploying camera platforms in adverse weather conditions
• Develop and integrate requisite software for data quality assurance, effective operations, and efficient data analysis for photogrammetry and other observation platforms
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists to integrate photogrammetric observations, GPS heading and information, and other onboard instruments
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists to perform maintenance and improvements to vehicle platforms and instrument integrations for field data collection
• Identify and document capabilities of systems to guide optimal collection of imagery and data to meet research goals
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists and engineers to develop workflows to analyze imagery to track imaged objects
• Prototype analysis tools for integrating data from tracked objects from multiple observation points
• Evaluate and cross-validate data with other NSSL observing platforms
• Assist NSSL staff in developing, testing, and deploying other NSSL experimental observing systems
• Contribute to NSSL field data collection and collaborative research efforts led by other scientists
• Provide technical documentation (e.g., schematics, code repositories, test reports) for development activities
• Prepare quarterly reports of status
• Write a brief report following AMS guidelines and prepare a conference-style presentation; present to project stakeholders and at a national or international conference if possible

Qualifications

Required: 

• BA/BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 6+ years of full-time engineering experience

Desired: 

• Demonstrated experience independently integrating multiple sensor and instrumentation systems across fixed and mobile platforms
• Experience with optical measurements and image processing for scientific and/or technical applications
• Experience developing software and visualization techniques for scientific data collection and analysis
• Experience designing and implementing custom solutions for deploying observing platforms (preferred)
• Experience participating in field projects for scientific data collection (preferred)
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and other coding languages for data workflows and analysis
• Ability to work as part of a technical team, preferably for field data collection

Work Setting and Environment

• Primary location: National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations
• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays; field data-collection activities may require irregular hours during active severe weather events
• Remote work arrangements must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR); on-site presence may be required based on mission, field operations, collaboration, or security needs
• Local and non-local travel may be required, not anticipated to exceed 5% annually; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
• Must complete an online IT security awareness course within one week of starting work
• Foreign national candidates are subject to export control review and require CO/COR approval prior to consideration
• Government-furnished equipment provided, including access to HPC resources, specialized mobile observation platforms, laboratory test equipment, computers, and office workspace, as applicable

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. 

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Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay Range

$70,000.00 to $74,000.00 depending on experience, education, and clearance level.