Research Environmental Engineer

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach-one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

Are you passionate about water resources and environmental science? RTI's Center for Water Resources is seeking talented and motivated individuals to join our Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) group. We are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to meet the growing global demand for water resources management and decision support. Our IWRM group specializes in developing and applying large-scale water resources systems modeling and decision support systems, integrating hydrological modeling with anthropogenic effects to ensure science-based management of water resources.

Why Join Us?

• Work on domestic and international impactful projects that make a difference in water resources management.
• Apply state-of-the-art computational tools to solve the water management complexities.
• Contribute to advance modeling tools and technologies.
• Collaborate and co-create with a team of experts in the field.

Apply and interpret standard scientific or engineering theories, concepts, and techniques in engineering processes to develop and enhance computational tools and decision support systems for global water resources planning and management. Support projects for improving water resources planning and management in various geographical areas, developing techniques for large-scale water systems operations modeling, implementing systems for water resources management that combine green and gray infrastructure, and developing decision support tools and methods for watersheds with shared ecosystems.

Essential Duties

• Collaborate with developers to create new features and enhance RTI's water resources modeling tools.
  Perform and direct information gathering: collect, analyze, and summarize technical data and background information.
• Develop and calibrate hydrologic and river basin simulation models.
• Design/develop computer spreadsheets, code, scripts and databases to manipulate data and summarize/present information.
• Design/develop computer spreadsheets, code, scripts and databases to improve efficiency in water resources planning
• Apply and develop techniques for large-scale water systems operations modeling.
• Implement modeling systems for water resources management that combine green and gray infrastructure.
• Support the development of decision support tools and develop analysis methods for watersheds with shared ecosystems.
• Perform data analysis and processing and develop tools/scripts to improve efficiency.
• Conduct research on water-energy nexus modeling platforms and implement scenario screening tools.
• Apply optimization and machine learning principles to enhance hydrologic modeling, river and reservoir operations, and IWRM.
• Lead small projects of moderate technical or administrative complexity.
• Lead small task order proposals or sections of moderately complex proposals.
• Contribute to scientific stature activities by participating in RTI internal presentations/seminars and presenting work/papers at conferences.
• Make sound decisions by weighing facts, past practice and theory, and advice from peers and supervisors
• Contribute to business development by identifying new ways to enhance or expand existing tasks/projects and presents research ideas/white papers in a clear, concise and well-organized format.

Typical Education & Experience Requirements
Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of experience, Master's degree and 3 years of experience or PhD and 0 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Specialist Skills- Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated skills and interest in computer programming for water resources management with basic experience.
• Knowledge and experience in hydrology, water engineering, statistics, GIS, water economics, or computer science.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and understanding of relational databases (SQL).
• 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.

Specialist Skills - Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with .NET programming languages (C# or VB.NET) and Python programming language
• Experience with data management using SQL language.
• Exposure to design and development of graphical user interfaces and visualization dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Python).
• Basic knowledge of optimization and machine learning techniques.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

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For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

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.