Machine Learning Scientist – Wildfire

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Lead EmberWorks' fire behavior modeling initiatives from initial integration through the adoption of new methodologies.

• Assess current fire behavior modeling techniques and determine the most suitable options based on available data.

• Develop and deploy models within an automated production framework utilizing airborne thermal observations alongside external fuel, weather, and terrain data.

• Investigate and create innovative modeling strategies using empirical, physical, and machine learning techniques as necessary.

• Manage model validation and interpretation by establishing quality standards, identifying erroneous outputs, and discerning whether issues arise from the model or upstream data sources.

• Specify computational requirements for both training and inference processes.

• Collaborate with the platform engineer to set up GPU and distributed computing resources along with an effective remote workflow.

• Preserve connections with the academic community in fire science.

• Assist EmberWorks in establishing relationships with research partners.

• Influence modeling strategies, validation techniques, and the dissemination of outputs to users.

⛳️ Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of fire behavior models such as ELMFIRE, WRF-SITE, and FSIM, including the fundamental physics and mathematics involved.

• Practical experience in building and training machine learning or data-driven models on spatiotemporal datasets.

• Strong background in remote sensing, particularly with raster imagery; thermal expertise is highly advantageous.

• Proficient in scientific geospatial programming tools, including Python, xarray, GDAL, rasterio, and PyTorch or similar frameworks.

• Familiarity with Git-based version control systems.

• Experience executing model training on cloud computing platforms, particularly with GPU resources.

• Capability to work autonomously within a small R&D team and effectively communicate modeling decisions to engineers and operational personnel.

• Bachelor's degree in fire science, atmospheric science, remote sensing, computer science, environmental science, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated experience in delivering at least one wildfire project from inception to completion, or providing sustained, in-depth support for an established wildfire product suite.

• Active connections to academic or governmental fire research organizations.

• Experience in data assimilation or physics-informed machine learning.

• Understanding of optics and radiometry, including the calibration of thermal sensors.

• Familiarity with wildland fire operations and the associated agencies and tools.

• Advanced degree and research in a relevant field, or equivalent practical experience.

🏝️ Benefits

• Founding role in a small team engaged in pioneering work with distinctive airborne fire observation data.

• Application of work on active fires rather than solely relying on benchmark datasets.

• Direct access to leadership.

• Opportunity to influence technical direction.