Division/Department: Research & Development
Job Title: Computational Physicist/Data Scientist
Reports to: R&D Manager
Date: 2023
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Computational Physicist / Data Scientist will utilize expertise in numerical software engineering to perform
data analysis, develop physics simulations, and build machine-learning models relevant to optical remote-
sensing phenomena and measurement. Will develop theories based on observation, simulation, and
experimentation. Will develop customer specific sensor prototypes, software, and testing environments. Apply
intensive and diversified knowledge of applied mathematics and theoretical physics principles and practices in
broad areas of assignments that affect future organizational objectives. This position requires an active or the
ability to obtain a US Security Clearance, for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
• Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure optical phenomena.
• Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
• Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
• Develop complex fitting or supervised machine-learning models to make predictions based on inputs
and evaluate the reliability of the models.
• Develop classification models from observed physical phenomena
• Prototype algorithms that can be run on desktop computers as well as real-time embedded systems.
• Perform optical system, opto-mechanical, and opto-electronic modeling, design and trade studies to
assess system performance, evaluate technical alternatives, and select optimal approaches.
• Report experimental results by writing papers / reports and presentations to customers.
• Collaborate with other team members in R & D and Engineering in the design, development, and testing
of experimental, industrial, or aerospace instrumentation, and procedures. Determine project plan,
personnel needs and assign work to meet deadlines assigned.
OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
• Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY DUTIES
• No supervisory duties.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY
• Ability to research physical phenomena and apply state-of-the-art theoretical knowledge to developing
physics models and simulations.
• Ability to create reliable regression and machine-learning models, and knowledge to scientifically
compare and cross-validate different models, parameters, and training performance.
• Skill in rapid data analysis and plotting.
• Strong familiarity with a wide variety of numeric computation techniques
o Digital signal processing, optimization, interpolation, Fourier analysis, linear algebra, statistics,
calculus, Monte-Carlo, etc.
• Understanding of software engineering best practices.
Division/Department: Research & Development
Job Title: Computational Physicist/Data Scientist
Reports to: R&D Manager
Date: 2023
• Comfort with modifying existing working code and writing substantial new code.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work productively with a variety of
experts from various technical fields.
• Ability to integrate and analyze information from multiple diverse sources, identify issues, develop
solutions, and communicate work direction and strategies.
• Demonstrated programming proficiency including:
o One or more scripting languages such as: Python, MATLAB, Julia, R, etc.
o General programming in C or C++
o Experience with Simulink and MATLAB highly desired.
• Numeric computation experience.
• Physics modeling and simulation
o Theoretical knowledge/experience with lasers, LiDAR, optics, light propagation, or light-matter
interaction is a plus but not required.
• Experience building and deploying machine-learning models
o Machine-learning frameworks/libraries such as: Scikit-Learn, TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch, etc.
• Software version control with Git or equivalent.
• Parallel CPU and/or GPU programming experience, desired but not required.
• Experience with Linux and standard UNIX command-line tools, desired but not required.
• Cross-platform and/or embedded software development experience desired, but not required.
• This position requires an active or the ability to obtain a US Security Clearance, for which the US
Government requires US Citizenship.
EDUCATION OR FORMAL TRAINING
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
EXPERIENCE
• Prior industry or academic experience in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field:
• 4+ years experience post-Bachelor's degree, or
• 2+ years experience post-Masters' degree, or
• 0+ years experience post-Doctoral degree.
