RAF Scientist VI - Casual

What You Will Do

Spearheads significant scientific and innovation initiatives, developing original theories, methods, or solutions for high-impact, interdisciplinary issues.
Oversees complex, multi-team projects, shapes strategic agendas, and influences policy, partnerships, and organizational growth.
Mentors less experienced scientists, promotes inclusivity, and advances research or practical outcomes, shaping future advancements in science, technology, and practice.
Engages in mission-aligned activities both within the organization and throughout the broader scientific community.
Contributes through a combination of scientific expertise, professional service, and education and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities

• Leading/designing/executing significant scientific initiatives that address complex, emerging, or critical challenges with broad strategic relevance in a specialized or interdisciplinary domain.
• Developing and applying innovative theories, models, tools, or methodologies to advance scientific understanding and to enable new applications or pathways for impact.
• Directing large-scale, high-impact research and innovation portfolios, including multi-institutional, cross-sector, or interdisciplinary efforts, with responsibility for long-term strategic alignment, coordination, and results.
• Identifying and advancing transformative opportunities through strategic planning and programmatic innovation that align with organizational, stakeholder, and sponsor priorities.
• Representing the organization as a recognized expert, influencing national or international policy, external partnerships, and high-level collaborations across government, industry, and academia.
• Mentoring and developing staff; fostering a culture of creativity, inclusion, teamwork, and technical excellence across large teams or multi-project efforts.
• Leading/co-leading high-impact outputs (e.g. publications/reports, technical documentation, data sets, proposals, invited plenary presentations, technical tools/frameworks/or assessments) that shape policy, practice, further scientific advancement.
• Shaping organizational direction through leadership of strategic planning, policy development, and scientific visioning, contributing to organization-wide innovation and impact.
• Leading development of complex products, tools, instruments and/or technologies for projects and programs that have significant impact within the discipline.

Requirements

• Education: Typically requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and 14 years related experience, or a Master’s degree and 10 years related experience, or a PhD in a scientific discipline and 6 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in a scientific area, with broad understanding of related fields, enabling integration of knowledge to resolve unique challenges.
  Demonstrated ability to develop innovative scientific theories, applied methodologies, or frameworks that enhance understanding and introduce new research or application areas.
• Skills and Abilities: Is skilled in leading large-scale, complex scientific or technical programs, including strategic planning, coordination of interdisciplinary teams, and alignment with mission-critical objectives.
  Demonstrates leadership and mentoring skills to support the development of senior scientific talent and foster inclusive, high-performing teams and psychologically safe environments.
  Advanced communication skills for engaging expert, sponsor, and general audiences through compelling publications, reports, and briefings.
  Recognized contributor to national or international science efforts, including participation in panels, advisory boards, or policy-shaping initiatives.
  Capable of translating scientific findings into impactful applications, solutions, or policy-relevant outputs in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
  Demonstrates the ability to guide strategic scientific initiatives that influence organizational priorities and shape broader scientific, technological, or policy landscapes.

Preferred

• Hands-on experience operating, calibrating, and processing data from airborne radiometers (broadband, hemispheric, visible/IR units and radiation pyrometers on stabilized platforms) and the MTPF.
• Familiarity with RAF's nimbus data acquisition system and instrument data workflows.
• Working knowledge of the MTP processing software and its legacy (JPL) lineage.
• Experience coordinating instrument calibration with external contractors and integrating results with software/electronics engineers and technicians.
• Familiarity with RAF aircraft integration and airborne field-campaign deployment.
• Ability to document instrument procedures and mentor a successor toward operational competency.