Water Resources Engineer

RTI International's Center for Water Resources (CWR) delivers cutting-edge services across the spectrum of water resources engineering disciplines including river forecasting, water supply modeling, and hydrologic risk analysis. These projects require expertise in data management and analysis, hydrologic, hydraulic, water quality modeling and analysis of economic and social outcomes.

CWR has an opening for a water resources engineer or scientist to support research focused projects that utilize ensemble forecasts and machine learning. In the long term, as part of our team, your contributions may cover all aspects of water resources systems including collecting and analyzing hydrologic data, performing spatial analysis, calibrating, executing, and interpreting results from hydrologic and hydraulic models.

Our team is composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds, interests, and capabilities, but a common thread is our interest in learning and advancing the boundaries of what can be done to support our field. As a non-profit research institute, RTI also offers opportunities for internally funded research and development, fostering innovative ideas for practical applications that will make a significant impact in the world.

This position is geared towards supporting CWR's hydrologic forecasting projects and will involve processing long periods of hydrologic data and performing verification of hydrologic ensemble forecasts. The candidate shall be an independent thinker and have familiarity with machine learning techniques and applied research. Additional skills may include experience in analyzing and manipulating time series and spatial data and an aptitude for hydrologic/hydraulic/reservoir modeling (i.e., understanding of inputs, model states, calibration, simulation, forecasting, analysis of results). Proficiency in coding and programming will be essential to conduct the analyses and present the results visually. CWR will provide training on the specific models and technology that we use to the selected candidate.

Master degree and 3 years of experience or a Bachelor degree and 5 years of experience in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field with emphasis in Water Resources.

To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.).

Technical Qualifications

The candidate shall possess some or all the skills listed below.

(1) Water resources systems modeling experience using SNOW17, SAC-SMA, VIC, HEC-HMS, or LSTM models.

(2) Familiarity with operational or planning system model configurations using applications such as Delft-FEWS.

(3) Experience with hydrologic ensemble forecasting.

(4) Prior use of open-source programming language (i.e., Python, R, C# or Visual Basic(.NET)) to perform data management, transformation, quality control, and/or statistical analyses (e.g., regression models).

(5) Familiarity with relational databases (e.g., SQLite, SQL Server, PostgreSQL).

General Qualifications

• A positive and collaborative mindset while working independently on multiple projects in a team environment with diverse staff of project managers, hydrologists, engineers, scientists, economists, and software developers.
• Attention to detail. The candidate will be responsible for preparing, using, and conducting quality control on large and diverse datasets.
• The ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing and the ability to understand and follow written guidelines, policies, and procedures as provided by project managers.
• A willingness to learn new software and apply as a project requires, including self-led tutorials and exploration. The ability and desire to adapt applicable methods and principles from past experiences to current RTI project needs.

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RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.