Radar Meteorologist
El Segundo, CA, USA
USD 120k-160k / year + Equity
Make it rain. Make Snow. Make Earth Habitable.
Rainmaker builds and deploys audacious technologies that work with nature to create an abundant, habitable planet. We are modernizing proven cloud-seeding science with weather-resistant UAS, radar and satellite observations, numerical weather prediction, novel sensing and validation systems, and sustainable seeding technologies. We are building an integrated system to make more freshwater available to farms, ecosystems, and communities.
Our ambition is bold, but we pursue it with humility. We take on difficult problems in the real world with technical rigor, grit, integrity, and an openness to learning and course-correcting. We are hiring individuals with evidence of exceptional ability. If you want to build systems that endure, restore, and deliver the future we were promised, we want to hear from you.
Our Atmospheric Intelligence team develops the observations, models, and experiments that guide cloud seeding and measure its effects. We work with software, hardware, and field operations teams to turn atmospheric science into better targeting decisions and credible estimates of additional precipitation.
About the Role
What You'll Do
Analyze scanning and vertically pointing radar observations to characterize cloud structure, precipitation processes, and the evolution of potential seeding signatures.
Develop and improve radar quality control, including the treatment of clutter, interference, attenuation, calibration bias, and terrain blockage.
Develop and evaluate quantitative precipitation estimates for rain and snow, with explicit treatment of sampling limitations and retrieval uncertainty.
Combine radar data with seeding release records, winds, soundings, satellite observations, and in situ measurements to assess individual operations.
Design analyses that distinguish potential seeding responses from natural variability, test alternative explanations, and state what the observations can support.
Help design radar siting and scan strategies that capture the cloud volumes and precipitation relevant to operational targeting and validation.
Build reproducible Python workflows for processing, visualization, and analysis; partner with software engineers to automate methods across programs.
Support field campaigns and radar troubleshooting in partnership with field teams, including travel to deployment sites as needed.
Communicate findings through clear figures, technical reports, and reviews that inform operational decisions and future experiments.
What We're Looking For
A degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, physics, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Demonstrated experience using weather radar observations to answer meteorological questions in research or operations.
A strong understanding of radar measurement principles, Doppler and polarimetric variables, sampling geometry, and common sources of error.
Knowledge of cloud microphysics and precipitation processes, including the interpretation of observations in mixed phase and winter weather.
Proficiency in Python for scientific data processing, analysis, and visualization.
Experience evaluating scientific methods against independent observations, diagnosing bias, and quantifying uncertainty.
The ability to take an open scientific question through data analysis to a defensible conclusion, with reproducible code and clear documentation.
Clear communication, constructive scientific collaboration, and willingness to work onsite in El Segundo and travel for field campaigns as needed.
What Will Set You Apart
An MS or PhD with research focused on radar meteorology, precipitation estimation, or cloud microphysics.
Experience with cloud seeding research, orographic precipitation, snowfall retrievals, or the attribution of small signals within natural variability.
Hands-on experience deploying, calibrating, or operating research radars and designing scan strategies.
Experience with tools such as Py-ART or xradar and data from research radars, NEXRAD, or MRMS.
Experience integrating radar with disdrometers, precipitation gauges, aircraft or UAS measurements, or numerical weather prediction.
What Success Looks Like In the First 90 Days
120000 - 160000 USD a year
Supporting the people behind the mission
Making Earth more habitable is ambitious work. We want the people doing it to feel supported—in the work we share and the lives they’re building.
A stake in what we build. Meaningful stock options and the opportunity to help shape Rainmaker as an early member of the team.
Support for your health. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
An investment in your future. A 401(k) with employer matching to help you build long-term savings.
Time to recharge. Unlimited PTO for rest, exploration, and the people and pursuits that matter to you.
Time for a growing family. Paid parental leave for both parents to welcome a child and spend time together.
Lunch together. Daily lunch provided at our El Segundo headquarters—a chance to share a meal and connect with teammates.
Help making the move. Relocation assistance for eligible roles to support your transition to Rainmaker.