KBR - Sioux Falls, SD
posted 4 days ago
About the position
KBR's Science and Space division is seeking a Software Engineer/Web Developer to support our Technical Support Services Contract (TSSC) at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) Center near Sioux Falls, SD. The primary focus of this position is to provide science support to assist with multi-scale lidar data processing and manipulation. The successful candidate will use established methods to simulate GEDI waveforms based on point cloud data. Other duties will include altering point clouds to modify stand properties based on provided scenarios and apply stem-mapping algorithms to point cloud data and high-resolution optical imagery to compare results over study locations. The successful candidate will utilize existing methods to interpolate GEDI waveform data and produce spatially consistent maps of fuels parameters. These tasks will require experience and strong skills in remote sensing, data/image processing, scripting, and data analysis. This position will work with an existing team to investigate emerging topics in three-dimensional wildland fuels, QUIC-Fire modeling, and next generation fire fuels information.
Responsibilities
- Provide science support to assist with multi-scale lidar data processing and manipulation
- Utilize established methods to simulate GEDI waveforms based on point cloud data
- Manipulate point clouds to modify stand properties based on provided scenarios
- Apply stem-mapping algorithms to point cloud data and high-resolution optical imagery to compare results over study locations
- Utilize existing methods to interpolate GEDI waveform data and produce spatially consistent maps of fuels parameters
- Process field collected data sets as well as other lidar data sets acquired from other platforms
- Troubleshoot issues relating to analyzing lidar data using proprietary, open-source software and scripting
Requirements
- Must have a 3-year residency in the United States
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a national agency check and background investigation after hire to obtain credentials for facility access and user accounts.
- Education: Advanced Degree or equivalent experience in ecology, landscape ecology, forestry, fire science, conservation science or another relevant field
- Years of Experience: Must have minimum 1-3 years of recent and related work experience in fire ecology and knowledge with plant community dynamics across the landscape
- Understanding of ground, surface, and canopy fuel types/characteristics and their effects on wildland fire behavior in conjunction with environmental factors
- Understanding of the relationship between fire behavior and fire effects
- Experience with image processing and GIS software (e.g., ERDAS, ArcGIS, ArcPro, QGIS)
- Experience in fundamentals of remote sensing science and the characteristics of geospatial data, such as satellite and aerial imagery etc.
- Strong interpersonal communication, technical writing, editing and presentation skills and an advanced knowledge of Microsoft office tools for reporting and documentation of processes and procedures
Nice-to-haves
- Background in fire science or fire ecology especially how ecological systems function both naturally and after disturbance
- Experience in processing point cloud lidar data, GEDI waveform lidar, optical imagery, and fuels modeling
- Familiarity with high level programming languages and statistical software, such as Python or R
- Experience identifying important factors that influence development or change fire behavior of sites or landscapes and develop approaches to address these issues, including extreme fire behavior
- Experience and interest in authoring process documentation, reports, and research papers
- Ability to work in a team environment to help shape, manage and execute projects applying geospatial data and systems to solve geospatial problems
- Ability to contribute to the definition, direction, and implementation of the Wildland Fuels Program
- Ability to self-teach in areas of weakness utilizing available on-the-job training resources
Benefits
- 401K plan with company match
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- AD&D insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Disability insurance
- Paid time off
- Flexible work schedule
- Professional training and development
